Peak Velocity Research Articles

The effects of horizontal deceleration training on sprint and countermovement jump neuromuscular performance qualities

ABSTRACT This study examined the effect of 6-week training to improve horizontal deceleration ability on sprint acceleration and countermovement jump (CMJ) neuromuscular performance (NMP) parameters. Twenty male soccer players were divided into the training (TRA), and the control (CON) group. Pre-and post-training players performed an acceleration-deceleration ability test (ADA) and a jump on a vertical axis dual force plate. ADA deceleration parameters were analysed using Kinovea Software. Distance-to-stop (DTS), time-to-stop (TTS), 20 m sprint time (t 20 m), CMJ parameters were measured at pre-post-training. The largest improvement was determined in the TRA in the t 20 m (effect size = 0.88). Despite the increase in the weight of the TRA, t 20 m was shortened by 5.62% in TRA and 1.91% in CON. Deceleration ability was evaluated with CMJ eccentric parameters. While the percentage change of eccentric peak force differed between the groups, eccentric peak power (11.84 vs. 14.57 W·kg–1, ds: 0.72) and velocity (0.91 vs. 1.05 m.s–1, ds: 0.70) increased. Accordingly, it was determined that the improvement in CMJ eccentric and concentric peak velocity was due to speed-based power output. The training improved the maximum horizontal deceleration ability and confirmed that concentric peak velocity, as well as CMJ eccentric parameters, is an important NMP determinant of horizontal deceleration ability.

Impact of sports vision training on visuomotor skills and shooting performance in elite skeet shooters

IntroductionVision serves as a critical channel for athletes to acquire information during competitions and constitutes a vital component of their competitive ability. Through scientifically designed sports visual training, specific visual skills can be enhanced, thereby assisting athletes in achieving optimal performance in competitive settings. This study aim to explore the visuomotor abilities and shooting performance of skeet shooters through Sports Vision Training (SVT).MethodsTwenty elite skeet shooters were recruited and randomly assigned to an experimental group (EXP, n = 10) and a control group (CON, n = 10). The EXP underwent 6-week of SVT on Senaptec Seneory Station, twice a week, while the CON completed an equivalent workload of target-tracking training.ResultVisuomotor skills testing showed significant improvements in Near- Far Quickness, Perception Span, and Eye-hand Coordination in the EXP (p < 0.05), with no changes in the CON. Comparative post-test results between the two groups showed significant differences in N/F Q, Target Capture, Perception Span, Eye-hand Coordination, and Go/ No Go (p < 0.05). In shooting performance indicators, EXP shooters showed a highly significant improvement in hit accuracy (p < 0.01), with a similar difference compared to the CON. Additionally, they exhibited a highly significant improvement in shotgun-mounting reaction time (p < 0.01). Kinematic indicators of shotgun movement during the firing process for shot 2 showed significant differences in peak velocity (p < 0.01), X-axis (p = 0.033) and Y-axis (p = 0.001) displacement.ConclusionSVT can enhance visuomotor abilities in skeet shooters and has a positive impact on their shooting technique. This is primarily manifested in shorter shotgun-mounting reaction time and improved efficiency in action at shot 2, effectively improving their shooting accuracy.

Abstract 4141445: Long-Term Predictive Value of 4D Flow MRI in Bicuspid Aortic Valve Patients: A 10-Year Assessment for Aortic Surgery Risk

Introduction: Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is associated with progressive ascending aorta (AAo) dilation, often leading to aneurysms, dissections, and ruptures. Thus, current guidelines recommend preventive surgery for AAo dilation. Recent 4D flow MRI studies show that BAV morphology causes abnormal transvalvular flow patterns, increasing wall shear stress (WSS), a trigger of aortic growth. Further studies have delineated areas of abnormally high WSS by comparing to estimates of matched controls, and show promise in detecting risk for aortic growth. However, since the long-term prognostic significance of this marker is unclear, we aimed to quantify WSS in BAV patients to assess its value in predicting the need for aortic surgery up to 10 years post-4D flow MRI acquisition. Methods: BAV patients without prior surgical intervention scanned before April 1, 2014 were identified. Using medical records, patients were categorized as ‘operated’ if they underwent aortic surgery post-scan and ‘non-operated’ if they were surgery-free for at least 10 years post-scan. 4D flow MRIs were processed with an AI pipeline, including 3D segmentation of the aorta, followed by peak velocity (PV) and WSS quantification in the AAo (Fig. 1A-C). Patient-specific WSS heatmaps were computed relative to a map based on the WSS of 10 or more sex and age-matched controls. Relative areas of elevated WSS in the AAo were then calculated (Fig. 1D-F). Results: 115 patients were included, with 73 non-operated (age: 42.5±11.5y, 49M) and 42 operated patients (age: 53.5±12.1y, 34M). The mean baseline mid-AAo diameters for non-operated and operated patients were 3.8±0.6 cm and 4.1±0.5 cm, respectively. Among operated patients, the mean scan to surgery time was 5.7±3.3y. All three 4D flow metrics were significantly higher in operated compared to non-operated patients: PV: 2.6±0.6 vs. 1.7±0.4 m/s (p<0.01); WSS: 2.2±0.5 vs. 1.6±0.4 Pa (p<0.01); relative area of high WSS on heatmaps: 31±12 vs. 15±13% (p<0.01). Conclusions: 4D flow MRI parameters provide long-term predictive value in BAV patients, as elevated peak velocity, wall shear stress, and relative area of high wall shear stress on heatmaps are associated with subsequent aortic surgery within 10 years post-scan.

Abstract 4134841: A Diagnostic Pitfall: Subclavian Stenosis Mimicking Severe Aortic Stenosis on Echocardiography"

Background: Aortic stenosis (AS) is a common and serious valve disease in the elderly, often diagnosed using echocardiography. However, certain conditions can mimic AS, leading to diagnostic challenges. This case highlights the importance of a comprehensive vascular assessment in patients with atypical symptoms and echocardiographic findings suggestive of severe AS. Case Presentation: An 80-year-old female presented with progressive dizziness and double vision over the past few months. She reported a long-standing history of lower blood pressure in her right arm compared to her left. Her medical history was significant for HER2-positive intraductal breast cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. An echocardiogram performed two months prior to presentation, using a Pedoff probe, indicated severe AS with a peak systolic velocity of 5.1 m/sec, a mean systolic gradient of 50 mm Hg, and an aortic valve area of 0.6 cm. Investigations: Given the discrepancy in blood pressure between her arms and the wide open aortic valve on the echo which dosen't corrleate with the doppler numbers, CTA neck and chest was performed, revealing a dense calcific plaque causing severe stenosis at the origin of the left subclavian artery. An angiogram confirmed >75% stenosis of the left subclavian artery, which was treated with angioplasty and stent placement, resulting in <10% residual stenosis. Outcome: Following the intervention, a repeat echocardiogram showed only mild calcification of the aortic valve with a mean gradient of 4 mm Hg, significantly lower than the previous findings. Discussion: This case underscores the potential for subclavian artery stenosis to mimic severe AS on echocardiography, particularly when using the Pedhoff probe. It highlights the need for clinicians to consider vascular anomalies in the differential diagnosis when echocardiographic doppler findings do not correlate with clinical symptoms or with the structural apperance of the valves. Conclusion: Comprehensive assessment and consideration of alternative diagnoses are crucial in patients with suspected severe AS, especially when using Doppler echocardiography. Awareness of the potential for subclavian artery stenosis to cause false-positive echocardiographic findings can prevent unnecessary interventions and guide appropriate management.

Heart ultrasound and biomechanical evaluation of radiation‐induced heart toxicity using transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA)

AbstractRadiation‐induced heart disease (RIHD) is a serious complication but difficult to assess in patients undergoing thoracic radiotherapy (RT). We aim to analyze RIHD using heart ultrasound and elastic modulus, exploring relationships between functional, anatomical or biomechanical changes of the heart and radiation dose.Twenty BALB/c mice were divided into four groups (control, 10 Gy, 20 Gy and 25 Gy) with a single fraction of image‐guided volumetric modulated arc radiotherapy (VMAT) to murine heart on a linear accelerator. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) was performed on a small‐animal ultrasound imaging system with a handheld microscan transducer. E‐wave/A‐wave ratio (E/A) and myocardial performance index (MPI) for diastolic performance were noninvasively evaluated weekly, as well as ejection fraction (EF%), fractional shortening (FS%), left ventricle (LV) mass and heart wall thickening for systolic performance. At the end of the fifth week, all mice were sacrificed for elastic modulus measurement on a dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA) and for histopathological staining. All experiments were conducted in accordance with the local institution's animal research committee guideline.Significant difference was observed in E/A ratio between the control and 25 Gy irradiated groups (1.8±0.5 and 0.7±0.9, respectively; p<0.05), indicating reduced diastolic performance and increased stiffness in left ventricle after high‐dose heart radiation. Diastolic dysfunction in irradiated groups was also observed with significantly increased MPI. In contrast, posterior wall thickness, aortic peak velocity, heart rate, EF and FS were not significantly different after RT. Heart elasticity was reduced substantially with the increased radiation dose. HE and Masson Trichrome staining confirmed more fibrosis deposition in irradiated hearts.RIHD evaluation with ultrasound imaging noninvasively and biomechanical modulus measurement invasively in the image guided, precision dose‐escalated murine heart irradiation is feasible. Increased myocardial stiffness, abnormal diastolic relaxation, more collagen deposition, and reduced tissue elasticity are observed in irradiated heart tissue. This study may facilitate our understanding of RIHD and facilitate improving patients’ quality of life in the future.

Respiratory variation of velocity time integral and peak velocity of left ventricular outflow tract for predicting hypotension after induction of general anesthesia in elderly patients

Abstract Background Hypotension after induction of general anesthesia may lead to severe complications in elderly patients. This study investigated whether the respiratory variation of velocity time integral (ΔVTI) and peak velocity (ΔVpeak) of left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) could predict hypotension after induction of general anesthesia in elderly patients. Methods 120 elderly patients undergoing selective operation under general anesthesia were enrolled in this study. ΔVTI and ΔVpeak of LVOT were measured by transthoracic echocardiography before induction of general anesthesia. After induction, mean arterial pressure (MAP) was recorded every 1 minute for 15 min. Hypotension was defined as a decrease of more than 30% in MAP at baseline or MAP below 65 mmHg from the start of induction. Receiver operating characteristic curves with gray zone and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to assess the ability of ΔVTI and ΔVpeak of LVOT to predict hypotension after induction of general anesthesia. Results Hypotension occurred in 64 (53.3%) patients after induction of general anesthesia. The area under receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC) for ΔVpeak of LVOT to predict hypotension after induction of general anesthesia was 0.811, and the optimal cutoff value was 13.1% with a gray zone of 9.9% to 13.8%, including 45.0% of patients. The AUC for ΔVTI of LVOT was 0.890, and the optimal cutoff value was 13.8% with a gray zone of 11.1% to 13.9%, including 25.8% of patients. After adjusting for confounders, ΔVTI (Odds ratio = 2.24) and ΔVpeak (Odds ratio = 2.09) of LVOT were two significant independent predictors of hypotension after induction of general anesthesia. Conclusions ΔVTI of LVOT was a reliable predictor of hypotension after the induction of general anesthesia in elderly patients. ΔVpeak of LVOT should be used cautiously to predict hypotension after induction of general anesthesia due to nearly half of elderly patients in the gray zone. Trial registration This study was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (registration number: ChiCTR2300077117).

Contemporary Clinical Characteristics, Imaging, Management, and Surgical and Nonsurgical Outcomes of Adult Patients With Subaortic Stenosis

Background Subaortic stenosis (SAS) is characterized by a fibromuscular membrane located just below the aortic valve, causing fixed outflow tract obstruction. There is a paucity of studies evaluating this condition. This cohort study reviewed the contemporary characteristics and outcomes of SAS in adult patients in a single large referral center. Methods and Results We retrospectively studied adult patients with SAS evaluated at our center during 2011 to 2022. The primary outcome was all‐cause mortality and heart failure hospitalizations during follow‐up, with secondary end points including recurrence of SAS and repeat surgery after initial SAS surgery. Among 484 patients with SAS, key characteristics included mean age 55±18 years, 67.5% female, left ventricular outflow tract peak velocity 352±140 cm/s and gradient 57±40 mm Hg, left ventricular ejection fraction 60%±14%, 54.8% had prior SAS surgery, and 45.1% had surgery during follow‐up. Over a median follow‐up of 5.5 (1.5–12.3) years, 11.5% (n=56) died, 6.8% (n=33) had heart failure hospitalizations, 8.0% (n=39) experienced SAS recurrence, and 14 (5.9%) underwent repeat SAS surgery. Multivariable analyses identified older age per 10‐years (hazard ratio [HR], 1.37 [95% CI, 1.12–1.68]) and baseline New York Heart Association class (HR, 2.48 [95% CI, 1.54–3.99]) to be statistically significantly associated with the primary end point; higher body mass index, New York Heart Association class, and peak left ventricular outflow tract gradient were also statistically significantly associated with SAS recurrence and redo surgery. Conclusions Almost half of patients with SAS had surgery in the past or during follow‐up, and a significant minority had mortality or morbidity events during follow‐up. Identified prognosticators warrant further research to guide management.

Wall-Eyed Internuclear Ophthalmoplegia: History and Hypothesis

ABSTRACT: Background: Most patients with internuclear ophthalmoplegia (INO) are orthotropic, although a subset is exotropic. When INO is bilateral, this is termed wall-eyed bilateral internuclear ophthalmoplegia (WEBINO). In 1979, Sharpe described his “first case” of wall-eyed monocular internuclear ophthalmoplegia (WEMINO) as “a unique clinical syndrome” characterized by unilateral INO and ipsilateral exotropia. Methods: WEMINO was clinically identified in seven patients, with oculographic correlation in six and neuropathological confirmation in one. Oculographic features of exotropic INO patients were compared with those of six orthotropic INO patients using magnetic search coil and infrared oculography. Results: All clinically defined WEMINO patients showed slowed, hypometric ipsilateral saccades by oculography. Six patients had ipsilateral exotropia, and three had ipsilateral hypertropia. Ipsilateral abducting saccades had faster peak velocities for smaller saccades, more so for orthotropic patients. Exotropic patients had normal sinusoidal mean vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) gains and phases; orthotropic patients had subnormal mean VOR gains and phase leads. Conclusion: WEMINO is a clinical ocular motor syndrome characterized by unilateral slow, hypometric adducting saccades with exotropia and hypertropia of the ipsilateral eye. We propose that it results from discrete unilateral damage to burst-tonic fibers in the medial longitudinal fasciculus (MLF) with sparing of the adjacent extrafascicular pathways. Paradoxically, orthotropic INO results from more extensive damage to ascending pathways lateral, ventral and caudal to the MLF. Direct injury to the medial rectus subnucleus is not required. This manuscript was in preparation at the time of Dr Sharpe’s death in 2013 and is an acknowledgement of his forward-thinking, as his hypotheses have stood the test of time.

Origami-Inspired Collapsible Structures for Small Rotorcraft Collision Resilience and Landing

Abstract This article reports on the design, fabrication, and testing of flexible, collapsible structures inspired by origami and kirigami that can be used to protect small rotorcraft from collision impacts and to serve as landing gear. Twenty structures created from variations of Pako Pako, Magic Ball, and Herringbone fold patterns were laser cut from cardstock and evaluated experimentally. Some of the Pako Pako structures were designed to have graduated mechanical stiffness. An empirical procedure based on acceleration measurements has been developed that enables quantitative evaluation of each structure based on the characterization parameters of peak acceleration, peak velocity, translational kinetic energy, impact duration, mass, and mechanical stiffness. Structures were mounted onto the front of a radio-controlled (RC) car and driven on a linear test track into a rigid wall. Accelerations measured during the collisions were numerically integrated to determine velocities over the impact and collapse/compression of the structures. Flight tests conducted with small RC quadcopters demonstrated that the collapsible structures could successfully be used to mitigate collisions, enough to enable the quadcopters to continue flying after a direct impact and to land indoors or on outdoor terrain with varying slopes and surfaces. Based on trade-off comparisons between the evaluative metrics of the cases studied, conical Pako Pako structures with uniform stiffness are shown to be the most effective for collision resilience and landing.

Dynamics of droplet adsorption by liquid film on a grooved surface

Abstract Understanding the dynamics of droplet adsorption by liquid film on a grooved surface is of great significance for the possible manipulation of dropwise condensation on the grooved surface. In this study, an improved phase-field lattice Boltzmann model is proposed to describe the process of droplet adsorption from the ridge to the liquid film within the channel. The results indicate that the leading edge of the droplet undergoes two accelerations during the adsorption process, obeying the power law of l/R = t^2.2 and l/R = t^0.9, respectively. The adsorption process between droplets with different sizes and the liquid film exhibits self-similarity characteristics including the same first peak velocity, the similar droplet displacement-time curve and the equal dimensionless spreading length of l/R=5.5. Decreasing the contact angle of the droplet from θe = 120° to θe = 60° accelerates the displacement of the leading edge and extends the spreading length. These findings may help reveal the mechanics of droplet adsorption by the liquid film on the grooved surface and thus manipulate the condensation behavior for the heat transfer enhancement.

The neo-aortic valve in patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome is largely preserved: a serial follow-up CMR study

BackgroundIn hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) patients, neo-aortic valve regurgitation can negatively impact right ventricular (RV) function. We assessed neo-aortic valve function and RV volumetric parameters by analysing serial cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) studies in HLHS patients after completion of total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC).MethodsConsecutive CMR examinations of 80 patients (female: 22) with two (n = 80) or three (n = 45) examinations each were retrospectively analysed. RV volumetry was performed using short-axis cine images. RV end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes normalised to body surface area (BSA, RVEDVi, RVESVi), ejection fraction (RVEF) and stroke volume (RVSV) were measured. Neo-aortic flow, regurgitant fraction (RF) and peak velocity were quantified from phase-contrast cine images.ResultsMedian neo-aortic regurgitation was mild at all three examinations (RF <20%) and there was no significant increase in RF over time (p > 0.05). None of the patients had significant neo-aortic valve stenosis (peak velocity >3 m/s). RF correlated with RVESVi and RVEF at the second examination. At the third examination, RF correlated with RVESVi and RVEDVi even in patients with RF <15% (RVESVi: r = 0.40, p = 0.001; RVEDVi: r = 0.34, p = 0.031).ConclusionAssessment of serial CMR studies in HLHS patients after TCPC completion demonstrates a preserved neo-aortic valve function. Nevertheless, thorough follow-up is mandatory as even mild neo-aortic dysfunction might impact RV size and function over a longer term.

Numerical investigation of hydrodynamic performance and power consumption in stirred reactors with perforated Scaba 6SRGT impellers for non‐Newtonian fluid

AbstractThe present study aims to further understand the effect of perforated Scaba 6SRGT impellers on stirring performance and impeller power consumption by numerically investigating the hydrodynamic properties of non‐Newtonian fluids in a three‐dimensional stirred reactor. After model validation, the fluid velocity, stagnant region dimensionless volume, and impeller power consumption are quantitatively analyzed under the conditions of influencing parameters, including blade perforation pitch, ratio of distance between adjacent perforations, and perforation arrangement. The results reveal that the range of distribution of acceleration and peak velocity of the fluid along the radial appear in regions lower and larger than the dimensionless radius of the impeller (|r/R| = 0.45), respectively. Increasing the perforation pitch from 14 to 20 mm increases fluid velocity from 0.284 to 0.305 m/s and power consumption from 26.99 to 27.25 W, while reducing the stagnant region volume from 16.76% to 14.71%. The fluid velocity and impeller power consumption slightly increase with the ratio of distance between adjacent perforations. Circular‐shaped middle perforations yield higher fluid velocities and vorticity compared to lozenge‐shaped ones. The highest and lowest power consumptions are obtained by circular–circular–circular and lozenge–lozenge–lozenge perforation shape arrangements with values of 27.25 and 26.9 W, respectively.

Evaluation of cerebral autoregulation in dogs via transcranial color-coded duplex sonography and transient hyperemia testing.

To evaluate the changes in flow velocities of the middle cerebral artery before and after a carotid compression maneuver using transcranial color-coded duplex sonography (TCCD) in healthy anesthetized dogs under mechanical ventilation. Prospective study. University teaching hospital. Eleven healthy adult dogs. A 5-second carotid occlusion maneuver was performed to evaluate cerebral autoregulation (CA). After 10minutes of stable anesthesia, the middle cerebral artery was evaluated by TCCD. Dogs were positioned in sternal recumbency with the head raised to the level of the phlebostatic axis. The systolic peak velocity (Vp) was measured using pulsed Doppler mode. CA was evaluated through the transient hyperemia test (THT), which assesses changes in the Vp after a 5-second transient compression of the ipsilateral common carotid artery and is expressed as the ratio between the Vp flow before and after carotid compression. The Vp before and after carotid occlusion was compared using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The median Vp of the middle cerebral artery after the carotid compression maneuver was significantly higher than the median Vp before compression (median [interquartile range, IQR]: 47.7cm/s [34.3]vs64.1cm/s [24.4]; P=0.003). The median THT obtained was 1.20 (IQR: 0.37). The current study demonstrated a significant increase in the Vp of the middle cerebral artery after a 5-second temporary occlusion of the ipsilateral carotid artery in healthy anesthetized dogs under mechanical ventilation. These findings suggest that the noninvasive TCCD methodology could be valuable for assessing CA in dogs. Additional studies using this technique in neurocritical animals are required to confirm its usefulness.

Characteristics of horizontal saccades in children with intermittent exotropia

PurposeTo analyze the peak velocity and gain of horizontal saccades in children diagnosed with intermittent exotropia (IXT) and to compare these measurements with those obtained from children without strabismus. MethodsParticipants included children ≤12 years of age with IXT and no history of strabismus surgery and children without strabismus. The peak velocity and gain of horizontal saccades recorded using an eye tracker were analyzed. ResultsA total of 48 children (including 38 with IXT) were included. In the IXT group, the angles of deviation at near were 30.3Δ ± 13.5Δ; at distance, 30.6Δ ± 10.5Δ. Stereopsis was ≤60 arcsec in 29 patients and 80–400 arcsec in 9 patients. In the IXT group, the peak velocity and gain of the adduction saccade tended to be greater than those of the abduction saccade, but not significantly. The no-strabismus group exhibited a similar trend, with a stronger tendency in the dominant eye, reaching statistical significance. ConclusionsBoth the children with IXT and children without strabismus showed a dominance of adduction in their saccades; however, this dominance was weaker in children with IXT.

Echocardiographic Screening Model for Improved Assessment of Atrial Septal Defect Closure: A Multicenter Retrospective Study.

Atrial septal defect (ASD) is a prevalent congenital heart condition in adults, which finally leads to pulmonary hypertension and right heart failure if left untreated. Right heart catheterization (RHC), the current gold standard for determining ASD closure feasibility, is invasive. Thus, a noninvasive prescreening tool is urgently needed. In a multicenter, retrospective study, we assessed 924 ASD patients (2012-2022) to determine their suitability for ASD closure. Using LASSO regression, we identified predictors for a correctable shunt, enabling us to create the ASD model. The ASD model, comprising of estimated pulmonary artery systolic pressure (ePASP), peak velocity through the pulmonary valve (PV), peak E-wave velocity through the tricuspid valve (TVE), and right atrial longitudinal dimension (RA) by echocardiography, was constructed and exhibited favorable discriminative capability with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.941 (95% CI: 0.920-0.961) in the derivation group. The model also demonstrated good calibration and discriminative abilities in the validation cohort. When juxtaposed with the earlier congenital heart disease (CHD) model, the newly developed ASD model demonstrated superior predictive capabilities for correctable shunt, supported by the net reclassification index (NRI) [0.063 (95% CI: 0.001-0.127, p = 0.047)] and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) [0.023 (95% CI: 0.011-0.036, p <0.001)]. In summary, our research advocates the ASD model as a superior tool for screening suitable ASD defect closure candidates.

The Role of 2, 4, and 5-dimensional Cardiac Flow MRI for Evaluation of Valvulopathies: A Literature Review.

Two-dimensional phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (2D flow MRI) and its multidimensional alternatives, 4D and 5D flow MRI, measure blood flow in the heart and great vessels. While 2D flow MRI is the standard technique, it has limitations regarding need for precise image plane prescribing and long scan time. In contrast, 4D and 5D flow MRI acquire 3D volumes, enabling retrospective assessment of all vessels. This review evaluates these three techniques for quantification of blood flow of the aortic and pulmonary valves in congenital heart disease. A systematic literature search was conducted in August 2024 using the PUBMED database, including articles comparing 2D, 4D, and 5D flow MRI. Fifteen articles comparing 2D and 4D, one comparing 2D and 5D and three articles comparing 4D and 5D flow MRI were included. No study compared all three techniques. 2D, 4D and 5D flow MRI demonstrated a good agreement for flow quantification. 4D flow MRI, however, tends to present a better accuracy and internal consistency than 2D flow MRI for determination of peak velocities and flow in stenotic lesions, particularly when comparing velocities to echocardiography. 4D and 5D flow MRI are associated with shorter scan times than 2D flow MRI. 4D and 5D flow MRI appear to offer promising alternatives to 2D flow MRI with the advantage of reduced scan times. Larger and prospective studies including echocardiography are needed to evaluate the potential of 4D and 5D to replace 2D flow MRI for flow quantification and peak velocity determination.

Shared body representation constraints in human and non-human primates behavior

Previous studies indicated that the sense of body ownership (i.e., the feeling that our body parts belong to us; SBO) can be experimentally modulated in humans. Here, we focused on SBO from an across-species perspective, by investigating whether similar bottom-up and top-down constraints that consent to build SBO in humans also operate to build it in monkeys. To this aim, one monkey and a cohort of humans (N = 20) performed a paradigm combining the well-known rubber hand illusion (RHI), able to induce a fake hand embodiment, and a hand-identification reaching task, borrowed from the clinical evaluation of patients with SBO disorders. This task consisted of reaching one’s own hand with the other, while presenting a fake hand in different conditions controlling for bottom-up (synchronicity of the visuo-tactile stimulation) and top-down (congruency of the fake hand position relative to the monkey’s body) SBO constraints. Spatiotemporal kinematic features of such self-directed movements were measured. Our results show that, when the monkey aimed at the own hand, the trajectory of self-directed movements was attracted by the position of the hand believed to be one’s own (i.e., the fake hand), as in humans. Interestingly, such an effect was present only when both bottom-up and top-down constraints were met. Moreover, in the monkey, besides displacement of movement trajectory, also other kinematic parameters (velocity peak, deceleration phase) showed sensitivity to the embodiment effect. Overall, if replicated in a larger sample of monkeys, these results should support the view that human and non-human primates share similar body representation constraints and that they are able to modulate the motor behavior in both species.

Effects of additional transmission chamber on flow dynamics of a pulsed jet in crossflow

This study examines the effects of an additional transmission chamber on a pulsed jet in crossflow using experimental and Large-eddy simulation methods, with a focus on the structural and mixing characteristics of the flow. Three pulse frequencies are selected (f = 20 Hz, 50 Hz, and 100 Hz), and the results of the model with an additional transmission chamber are compared with the round pipe model. The results show that the additional transmission chamber enhances jet penetration, diffusion, and mixing uniformity, particularly at higher pulse frequencies. The additional transmission chamber also alters the exit velocity profile, increasing peak velocity and promoting greater deflection under crossflow. These findings highlight the potential of transmission chambers to optimize pulsed jet performance in applications requiring effective mixing and penetration.

Three-part structure of a solar coronal mass ejection observed in low coronal signatures of Solar Orbiter

Coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are large-scale eruptions of plasma and magnetic field from the Sun propagating through the heliosphere. Observations of the March 28, 2022, event provide unique images of a three-part solar CME in the low corona in active region 12975: a bright core or filament, a dark cavity, and a bright front edge. We investigated the relationship between coronal dimming, filament eruption, and early CME propagation in this rarely seen case. We employed 3D filament and CME shock reconstructions along with estimations of early CME evolution inferred from the associated expansion of the coronal dimming. We performed 3D reconstructions using data from Solar Orbiter, Solar TErrestrial RElations Observatory (STEREO-A), and Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) to analyse the path, height, and kinematics of the erupting filament. We developed the ATLAS-3D (Advanced Technique for single Line-of-sight Acquisition of Structures in 3D) method and validated it by comparing it to traditional approaches to reconstructing filament loops and the CME shock structure. ATLAS-3D uses Solar Orbiter data exclusively and integrates existing 3D filament reconstructions from the early stages of the event to establish spatial relationships between the filament and the CME frontal edge. Additionally, we employed the DIRECD method to estimate the characteristics of early CME propagation based on its coronal dimming evolution. The filament height increased from 28 to 616 Mm (0.04 to 0.89 $ R_ sun $) over 30 minutes, from 11:05 to 11:35 UT, with a peak velocity of $648 \ km s $ and a peak acceleration of $1624 \ m s $. At 11:45 UT, the filament deflected by about 12$^ reaching a height of 841 Mm (1.21 $ R_ sun $). Simultaneously, the quasi-spherical CME shock expanded from 383 to 837 Mm (0.55 to 1.2 $ R_ sun $) between 11:25 and 11:35 UT. Over 10 minutes, the distance between the filament apex and the CME leading edge more than doubled, from approximately 93 to 212 Mm (0.13 to 0.3 $ R_ sun $),demonstrating significant growth and increasing separation between them. Key parameters estimated from DIRECD and the 3D filament reconstructions include the CME direction (inclined by $6^ from radial expansion), a half-width of $21^ and a cone height of 1.12 $ R_ sun $, which was derived at the end of the dimming's impulsive phase. The reconstructed 3D CME cone, which represents the inner part of the CME,\ closely matches the observed filament shape at 11:45 UT in terms of both height and angular width. Validation with white-light coronagraph data confirmed the accuracy of the 3D cone, particularly in terms of filament and CME characteristics, including projections to STEREO-A COR2 times. The eruptive event on March 28, 2022, showed rapid filament development and its subsequent deflection from the primary propagation direction. This confirms that connections between dimming and CME expansion can be established by the end of the dimming's impulsive phase, preceding the filament’s deflection at 11:45 UT, illustrating further self-similar CME evolution. Our approach links the expanding dimming with the early CME development, highlighting dimmings as indicators and the DIRECD method's utility in correlating the 2D dimming with 3D CME structure. These findings provide valuable insights into early CME evolution and demonstrate the importance of using multi-viewpoint observations and novel reconstruction methods in space weather forecasting.

The timing of vision in basketball three-point shots

The aim of the present study was to explore the relationship between gaze behaviour, motor responses and the direction of visual attention when different levels of basketball players were engaged in a basketball three-point shot. Twelve near-experts and 12 amateur basketball players, wearing an eye tracker and an inertial sensor, performed 20 shots on a basketball field, receiving the ball from a teammate, who then acted as the opponent. The trial sequence was subdivided into catching, aiming and ball flight phases. The analysis demonstrated that near-experts exhibited longer fixation durations and saccades of lower amplitude and peak velocity than amateurs. The gaze behaviour showed that all players utilized fixations during the last part of the catching phase, during most of the aiming phase, and during the final part of the ball flight phase. The greatest number of saccades was exhibited between the aiming and the ball flight phases, when the ball was released by the players. Saccades were oriented toward the teammate during the catching phase. Instead, during the aiming and ball flight phases, saccade orientations were not polarized toward a specific visual cue. In conclusion, vision plays a critical role in every aspect of the three-point shot in basketball, from catching the ball, to aiming preparation, and shot execution. It is a key factor in decision-making, spatial awareness, and overall performance in team sports.