Search Results (945)

The two-star random graph is the simplest exponential random graph model with nontrivial interactions between the graph edges. We propose a set of auxiliary variables that control the thermodynamic limit where the number of vertices N tends to infinity. Such ’master variables’ are usually highly desirable in treatments of ‘large N’ statistical field theory problems. For the dense regime when a finite fraction of all possible edges are filled, this construction recovers the mean-field solution of Park and Newman, but with explicit control over the $1/N$ corrections. We use this advantage to compute the first subleading correction to the Park–Newman result, which encodes the finite, nonextensive contribution to the free energy. For the sparse regime with a finite mean degree, we obtain a very compact derivation of the Annibale–Courtney solution, originally developed with the use of functional integrals, which is comfortably bypassed in our treatment. Full article

Pitch selection—the ability to discriminate balls from strikes—is fundamental to baseball batting success. This study examined whether this ability relates to executive function and batting performance in collegiate players. Furthermore, this ability may be supported by brain functions such as executive functions, and the importance of Pitch Selection has long been considered. However, this ability has not yet been quantified, and there are no training methods for pitch selection. 14 male collegiate baseball players (age: 20.6 ± 1.0 years, first division university league) completed a virtual reality pitch selection task and spatial Stroop task. Methods included virtual reality pitch selection assessment, spatial Stroop task, and official batting statistics from league play. The results showed a significant positive relationship between the pitch selection task and hitting performance, such as the on-base percentage (r = 0.57, p < 0.05) and walk percentage (r = 0.82, p < 0.05). Furthermore, a significant negative correlation was found between the vertical Stroop task reaction time and the percentage of correct strikes among the pitch selection ability tasks (r = −0.67, p < 0.05). Our mediation analysis revealed that both pitch selection ability and executive function independently contribute to batting performance metrics, particularly the walk percentage, rather than executive function influencing performance by enhancing pitch selection ability. These results suggest that pitch selection ability is related to the hitting performance of baseball players and that executive function may play an important role in the performance of pitch selection. Full article

Determining a high-precision national geoid is a fundamental step in modernizing Kazakhstan’s vertical reference system. However, the country’s vast territory, complex topography, and limited coverage of modern terrestrial and airborne gravimetric surveys present significant challenges. In this context, Soviet-era gravimetric maps at a 1:200,000 scale remain the only consistent nationwide data source, yet their reliability has not previously been rigorously assessed within modern gravity standards. This study presents the first comprehensive validation of Soviet-era gravimetric surveys using two independent approaches. The first approach is about the comparison of gravity anomalies with the global geopotential models EGM2008, EIGEN-6C4 and XGM2019e_2159. The second approach is about the direct evaluation against absolute gravity measurements from the newly established Qazaqstan Gravity Reference Frame (QazGRF). The analysis demonstrates that, after applying systematic corrections, the Soviet-era gravimetric survey retains high information content. The mean discrepancy with QazGRF measurements is 0.7 mGal with a standard deviation of 2.5 mGal, and more than 90% of the evaluated points deviate by less than ±5 mGal. Larger inconsistencies, up to 20 mGal, are confined to mountainous and geophysically complex regions. In addition, several artifacts inherent to the global models were identified, suggesting that the integration of validated regional gravimetric data can also support future improvements of global gravity models. A key finding was the detection of an artifact in the global models on sheet M43. Its presence was confirmed by comparison with terrestrial gravimetric data and inter-model differences. It was established that the anomaly is caused by inaccuracies in the terrestrial “fill-in” component of the EGM2008 model, which subsequently inherited by later global solutions. The results confirm that Soviet gravimetric maps, once critically re-evaluated and tied to absolute observations, can be effectively integrated with global models. This integration delivers reliable, high-resolution inputs for regional gravity-field modeling. It establishes a robust scientific and practical foundation for constructing the first national geoid of Kazakhstan and for implementing a unified state coordinate and height system. It also helps enhance the accuracy of global geopotential models. Full article

We present the findings of a case showing an improvement in severe, chronic mid-back pain (MBP) and disability following sagittal correction of the thoracic spine using Chiropractic BioPhysics^® (CBP^®) spinal rehabilitation with a nine-month long-term follow-up. A 40-year-old female had suffered for years and was referred for spinal rehabilitation by her physicians and physical therapist to treat her severe, chronic MBP. The symptoms had not improved despite several months of physical therapy, traditional chiropractic spinal manipulation, and pain management trigger point injections. The pain was reported as severe and rated as 8/10 at worst on the numerical rating scale. The pain was severe enough to interfere with her normal activities including martial arts training. Postural analysis revealed increased thoracic flexion and spine hyperkyphosis. Lateral thoracic radiography showed a previously undiagnosed wedged vertebral body at T6. Mensuration of the radiograph found an increase in overall posterior tangent angulation from T3–T10 measuring 66.2°. Negative sagittal balance measured from a vertical of T3 above T10 was −16.3 mm. Treatment included Chiropractic Biophysics^® (CBP^®) orthopedic rehabilitation protocols including postural and radiographic based Mirror Image^® (MI^®) exercises, spinal manipulation, and traction. The patient was treated in-office 37 times over the course of 3 months and all initial subjective and objective outcomes were re-assessed. It was reported that the initial average pain of 8/10 for the mid-back had nearly resolved and was rated as 2/10. All ADLs were reported as pain free, including intense exercise and martial arts. Post-treatment radiography was taken following a 24 h “rest-period” and found reduction in the overall hyperkyphosis from T3–T10 now measured 45.2°. Due to the presence of the wedge vertebra, it was recommended that the patient continue home traction and exercises, and long-term follow-up was assessed at 9 months including a repeat of all initial examinations, for subjective and objective outcomes. Thoracic kyphosis was maintained at 47.7° and VAS was 0/10 at 9-month follow-up and symptoms remained nearly resolved. Full article

Strabismus, or squint or deviating eyes, is defined as misalignment of the eyes when fixating on an object and is a common problem in ophthalmology. Palsy of the third, fourth or sixth cranial nerve is one of the leading underlying causes for paralytic strabismus, often requiring surgery. However, uncertainty regarding factors influencing surgical success remains. Background/Objectives: The purpose of this study is to review the outcome and influencing factors of strabismus surgery in patients with cranial nerve palsy. Methods: A retrospective study of 57 patients with third cranial nerve (CN3) palsy, fourth cranial nerve (CN4) palsy, sixth cranial nerve (CN6) palsy or combined nerve palsy who underwent strabismus surgery between October 2009 and December 2023 was conducted. Analyzed data included demographic details, type of surgical intervention, etiology of nerve palsy, pre- and postoperative angle of deviation (AOD), vertical deviation (VD), best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and refractive error. Results: Mean age was 41.29 ± 23.14 years with a mean follow-up of 10.8 ± 15.38 months. 30 patients (52.63%) had CN6 palsy, 12 patients (21.05%) had CN3 palsy, eight patients (14.04%) had CN4 palsy and seven patients (12.28%) had combined nerve palsy. Brain neoplasm was the most common cause of nerve palsy (33.33%). Mean preoperative AOD improved from 17.54° ± 10.68 to 7.13° ± 8.93 and from 17.21° ± 9.58 to 7.49° ± 9.75 for near and distance, respectively (p < 0.001). Changes in VD, refractive error, and BCVA were not statistically significant. Conclusions: Age, gender, preoperative AOD, subtype and etiology of nerve palsy had no significant influence on surgical outcomes, which are satisfactory in patients with cranial nerve palsy (80.7%). Full article

This study develops a novel analytical solution for three-dimensional axisymmetric consolidation of unsaturated soils incorporating radial–vertical composite seepage mechanisms and anisotropic permeability characteristics. A groundbreaking dual orthogonal expansion framework is established, utilizing innovative Bessel–trigonometric function coupling to solve the inherently complex spatiotemporal coupled partial differential equations in cylindrical coordinate systems. The mathematical approach synergistically combines modal expansion theory with Laplace transform methodology, achieving simultaneous spatial expansion of gas–liquid two-phase pressure fields through orthogonal function series, thereby transforming the three-dimensional problem into solvable ordinary differential equations. Rigorous validation demonstrates exceptional accuracy with coefficient of determination R² exceeding 0.999 and relative errors below 2% compared to numerical simulations, confirming theoretical correctness and practical applicability. The analytical solutions reveal four critical findings with quantitative engineering implications: (1) dual-directional drainage achieves 28% higher pressure dissipation efficiency than unidirectional drainage, providing design optimization criteria for vertical drainage systems; (2) normalized matric suction variation exhibits characteristic three-stage evolution featuring rapid decline, plateau stabilization, and slow recovery phases, while water phase follows bidirectional inverted S-curve patterns, enabling accurate consolidation behavior prediction under varying saturation conditions; (3) gas-water permeability ratio k_a/k_w spanning 0.1 to 1000 produces two orders of magnitude time compression effect from 10⁻² s to 10⁻⁴ s, offering parametric design methods for construction sequence control; (4) initial pressure gradient parameters λ_a and λ_w demonstrate opposite regulatory mechanisms, where increasing λ_a retards consolidation while λ_w promotes the process, providing differentiated treatment strategies for various geological conditions. The unified framework accommodates both uniform and gradient initial pore pressure distributions, delivering theoretical support for refined embankment engineering design and construction control. Full article

Background/Objectives: Early-onset scoliosis (EOS) is often treated with growing rods, which use distraction-based correction to control deformity while allowing spinal growth. Although effective in the coronal plane, this technique may adversely affect sagittal alignment, particularly thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis. Whether final fusion surgery is necessary after the growing rod treatment remains controversial. This study compared radiographic outcomes, including coronal and sagittal parameters, between patients with and without final fusion to clarify the value of final fusion. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 19 EOS patients treated with growing rods between 2015 and 2019. Patients undergoing posterior spinal fusion after lengthening were classified as the final fusion group (n = 9), while those with more than 12 months of follow-up without fusion formed the graduated group (n = 10). Demographics, surgical variables, and radiographic parameters (Cobb angle, correction rate, coronal balance, clavicular angle, thoracic kyphosis, lumbar lordosis, sagittal vertical axis) were compared. Results: Baseline characteristics were similar. At final follow-up, the final fusion group had significantly better outcomes in Cobb angle (24.2° vs. 34.9°, p = 0.002), correction rate (66.6% vs. 40.1%, p = 0.001), and coronal balance (−1.5 mm vs. 19.7 mm, p = 0.004). Sagittal alignment did not differ significantly, but preservation of thoracic kyphosis tended to favor the fusion group. Conclusions: Final fusion surgery after growing rod treatment achieved superior coronal correction and balance compared with observation alone. Although sagittal alignment was not statistically different, a trend toward better thoracic kyphosis preservation was observed. Final fusion should be considered for larger residual curves or coronal imbalance, while observation may suffice in well-corrected cases. Full article

The following study will look at the issue of the dealignment of the trajectory when drilling vertically (a fact), where measurement and process errors are still the primary source of error that can easily lead to the inclination angle having overshot the desired bounds. The current methods, such as the Extended Kalman Filters (EKFs), can incorrectly estimate non-Gaussian noises, unlike the classical particle filters (PFs), which are unable to handle significant measurement errors appropriately. We will solve these problems by creating a new deviation correction mechanism using a dung beetle optimizer particle filter (DBOPF) with a superior Model Predictive Controller (MPC). The DBOPF makes use of the prior knowledge and optimization process to enhance the precision of state estimation and is superior in noise reduction to traditional filters. The improved MPC introduces flexible constraints and weight adjustments in the form of a sigmoid function that enables solutions when the inclination angle exceeds the threshold, and priorities are given to control objectives dynamically. The simulation outcomes indicate that the approach is more effective in the correction of the trajectory and control of inclination angle than the conventional MPC and other optimization-based filters, such as the PSO and SSA, in the presence of the noisy drilling environment. Full article

The long-distance high-voltage transmission tower-line system, frequently traversing active fault zones, is vulnerable to severe symmetry-breaking damage during earthquakes due to asymmetric permanent ground displacements. However, the seismic performance of such systems, particularly concerning symmetry-breaking effects caused by asymmetric fault displacements, remains inadequately studied. This study investigates the symmetry degradation mechanisms in a 1:40 scaled 500 kV tower-line system subjected to cross-fault ground motions via shaking table tests. The testing protocol incorporates representative fault mechanisms—strike-slip and normal/reverse faults—to systematically evaluate their differential impacts on symmetry response. Measurements of acceleration, strain, and displacement reveal that while acceleration responses are spectrally controlled, structural damage is highly fault-type dependent and markedly asymmetric. The acceleration of towers without permanent displacement was 35–50% lower than that of towers with permanent displacement. Under identical permanent displacement conditions, peak displacements caused by normal/reverse motions exceeded those from strike-slip motions by 50–100%. Accordingly, a fault-type-specific amplification factor of 1.5 is proposed for the design of towers in dip-slip fault zones. These results offer novel experimental insights into symmetry violation under fault ruptures, including fault-specific correction factors and asymmetry-resistant design strategies. However, the conclusions are subject to limitations such as scale effects and the exclusion of vertical ground motion components. Full article

Background/Objectives: Ocular wavefront aberrations are clinically relevant for optimizing vision correction and predicting surgical outcomes. This study aimed to establish normative reference ranges for a Korean population by quantifying wavefront aberrations using a Hartmann–Shack wavefront sensor and Zernike coefficients, and to assess correlations with age, sex, and spherical equivalent (SE). Methods: Wavefront aberrations were measured in 98 Koreans (196 eyes) using a Hartmann–Shack aberrometer without cycloplegia. Five repeated measurements per eye at a 6 mm pupil size were averaged. Parameters included Zernike coefficients (Z3–Z20), higher-order aberration (HOA) root mean square (RMS, Z6–Z20), and total RMS (Z3–Z20). Associations with age, sex, and SE were assessed using univariable and multivariable linear mixed-effects models. Second-order polynomial regression assessed nonlinear relationships. Interocular symmetry was evaluated using mirror-symmetry-adjusted Spearman’s correlation and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). Results: Vertical coma (Z7, 0.208 ± 0.174 μm) and spherical aberration (Z12, 0.200 ± 0.161 μm) were the largest contributors to HOA RMS. Mean HOA RMS and total RMS were 0.51 ± 0.21 μm and 3.03 ± 2.51 μm, respectively. HOA RMS increased with age (β = 0.003 μm/year, p = 0.010), whereas total RMS decreased with SE (β = −0.678 μm/D, p < 0.001). Most Zernike coefficients showed positive interocular correlations, with ICCs of 0.75 for total RMS and 0.64 for HOA RMS. Conclusions: In normal Korean eyes, HOAs increased with age and exhibited significant interocular symmetry. Vertical coma and spherical aberration were predominant components. While the pattern was similar to that in Western populations, the absolute values were greater. These normative values may aid future wavefront-guided refractive surgery and presbyopia correction procedures. Full article

The precision of ERA5 reanalysis datasets and their applicability in the mountainous regions of central China are essential for weather forecasting and climate change research in the transitional zone between northern and southern China. This study employs three months of continuous measurements collected from a high-precision remote sensing platform located in a representative mountainous valley (Xinyang city) in central China, spanning December 2024 to February 2025. Our findings indicate that both horizontal and vertical wind speeds from the ERA5 dataset exhibit diminishing deviations as altitude increases. Significant biases are observed below 500 m, with horizontal mean wind speed deviations ranging from −4 to −3 m/s and vertical mean wind speed deviations falling between 0.1 and 0.2 m/s. Conversely, minimal biases are noted near the top of the boundary layer. Both ERA5 and observations reveal a dominance of northeasterly and southwesterly winds at near-surface levels, which aligns with the valley orientation. This underscores the substantial impact of heterogeneous mountainous terrain on the low-level dynamic field. At an altitude of 1000 m, both datasets present similar frequency patterns, with peak frequencies of approximately 15%; however, notable discrepancies in peak wind directions are evident (north–northeast for observations and north–northwest for ERA5). In contrast to dynamic variables, ERA5 temperature deviations are centered around 0 K within the lower layers (0–500 m) but show a slight increase, varying from around 0 K to 6.8 K, indicating an upward trend in deviation with altitude. Similarly, relative humidity (RH) demonstrates an increasing bias with altitude, although its representation of moisture variability remains insufficient. During a typical cold event, substantial deviations in multiple ERA5 variables highlight the needs for further improvements. The integration of machine learning techniques and mathematical correction algorithms is strongly recommended as a means to enhance the accuracy of ERA5 data under such extreme conditions. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the use of ERA5 datasets in the mountainous areas of central China and offer reliable scientific references for weather forecasting and climate modelings in these areas. Full article

Background/Objectives: Skeletal Class III malocclusion in growing patients presents therapeutic challenges. While traditional tooth-anchored facemask (FM) therapy is widely used, it may induce undesired dental effects. Bone-anchored maxillary protraction (BAMP), using either miniscrews (MSs) or miniplates (MPs), has been proposed to enhance skeletal outcomes and minimize dental compensation. The objective is to compare the efficacy of MS and MP as skeletal anchorage in the orthopedic treatment of the Class III growing patients. Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis followed PRISMA guidelines. Five databases and manual searches were conducted without restrictions. Inclusion criteria encompassed randomized and non-randomized controlled trials assessing cephalometric outcomes in growing patients treated with MS or MP. Risk of bias was assessed with RoB 2 and ROBINS-I tools, and evidence certainty was evaluated using GRADE. A meta-analysis was performed, collecting all the statistically significant results that emerged in the 11 articles between skeletal anchorage and controls, comparing the values of the MP group with the MS group. Results: Eleven studies (seven MP, four MS) met the inclusion criteria. Both MS and MP groups showed significant maxillary advancement and improved maxillo–mandibular relationships compared to controls. Regarding vertical values, studies have reported contrasting outcomes. Soft tissue improvements were consistent in both MS and MP devices. Statistical analysis has highlighted how MP devices demonstrated more pronounced skeletal effects, while MS systems were associated with more dental effects. Conclusions: MP may be preferable when the aim is to maximize skeletal correction with fewer dental side effects, while MS can be considered in cases favoring less invasive approaches; long-term follow-up and high-quality clinical studies are needed to confirm these clinical assessments. Full article

The interaction between equine hooves and various ground surfaces is a critical factor for injury prevention and performance in modern equestrian sports. Accurate measurement of surface grip is essential for evaluating the effectiveness of different hoof protection systems. This study introduces the Vienna Grip Tester (VGT), a novel sensor-based device developed to quantify rotational resistance—an important parameter for assessing hoof–surface interaction. The VGT utilizes a torque wrench and spring-loaded mechanism to simulate lateral hoof movements under a standardized vertical load (~700 N), enabling objective grip measurements across different conditions. Twenty combinations of hoof protection (barefoot, traditional iron shoe, and two glue-on models) and surfaces (sand, sand with fiber at 25 °C and −18 °C, frozen sand, and turf) were tested, yielding 305 torque measurements. Statistical analysis (repeated-measures ANOVA with Bonferroni correction) revealed significant differences in grip among surface types and hoof protection systems. Frozen surfaces (SDAF (31 ± 8.9 Nm and SDF 33 ± 8.7 Nm, p < 0.001) exhibited the highest grip, while dry sand (SDA (18.3 ± 3.3 Nm, p < 0.001) showed the lowest. Glue-on shoes (glue-on grip, 26 ± 10 Nm; glue-on, 25 ± 10 Nm) consistently provided superior grip compared to traditional or unshod hooves (bare hoof, 21 ± 7 Nm). These results validate the VGT as a reliable and practical tool for measuring hoof–surface grip, with potential applications in injury prevention, hoof protection development, and surface optimization in equestrian sports. Full article

Riparian vegetation plays a critical role in maintaining ecosystem function, ensuring drainage capacity, and enhancing disaster prevention and mitigation. However, existing ground-based survey methods are limited in both spatial coverage and temporal resolution, which increases the difficulty of meeting the growing demand for rapid, dynamic, and fine-scale monitoring of riverine vegetation. To address this challenge, this study proposes a remote sensing approach that integrates Sentinel-1 synthetic aperture radar imagery with Sentinel-2 optical data. A composite vegetation index was developed by combining the normalized difference vegetation index and synthetic aperture radar backscatter coefficients, thereby enabling the joint characterization of horizontal and vertical vegetation activity. The method was first tested in the Kuji River Basin in Japan and subsequently validated across eight representative river systems nationwide using 16 sets of satellite images acquired between 2016 and 2023. The results demonstrate that the proposed method achieves an average geometric correction error of less than three pixels and yields a spatial distribution of the composite index that closely aligns with the actual vegetation conditions. Moreover, the difference rate between sparse and dense vegetation exceeded 90% across all rivers, indicating a strong discriminative capability and temporal sensitivity. Overall, this method is well-suited for the multiregional and multitemporal monitoring of riparian vegetation and offers a reliable quantitative tool for water environment management and ecological assessment. Full article

Privacy-preserving secure multi-party computation protocols are known to face scalability and efficiency challenges in environments where participants hold distinct attributes of the same records (vertical partitioning) or controls a subset of complete records (horizontal partitioning), as in cross-institutional health data analysis or federated IoT analytics, mostly because of communication overhead and the need to address adaptability to large scale or heterogeneous settings. This work introduces a novel MPC protocol based on the Damgård–Jurik cryptosystem and Schnorr zero-knowledge proofs (ZKP), designed to securely aggregate private data distributed across a number of parties. By combining homomorphic encryption with non-interactive ZKP’s, the protocol ensures privacy, correctness, and scalability, aligning with the principles of privacy-enhancing technologies (PETs). Our approach minimizes data exposure, allowing participants to audit results, and achieves linear $O\left(N\right)$ communication complexity, thus making it suitable for large-scale applications in secure data analytics and collaborative computing. Full article