5954 research outputs found
Sort by
Exploring the Exceptional Extreme Rays of the Copositive Cone
No full textIn this paper we will look at the exceptional extreme rays of COP^5 and COP^6 and identify if they are exposed or nonexposed. We start with some necessary background material on copositive matrices and cones. Then we construct two algorithms to see if a matrix is exposed or nonexposed
MICROBIAL GUARDIANS OF THE SAVANNAH: UNRAVELING THE GUT MICROBIOME FOR AFRICAN CARNIVORE CONSERVATION
No full textNon-invasive fecal sampling is essential for wildlife gut microbiome (GMB) research, yet field conditions often limit preservation options. I compared gut bacterial communities in paired fecal samples preserved in stabilization tubes and air-dried in paper bags collected from anesthetized African lions (Panthera leo) and spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta) in Etosha National Park, Namibia. Additional opportunistic samples from carnivore kill sites were also analyzed. No significant differences in alpha or beta diversity were detected between preserved and dried samples, although bacterial beta diversity differed between preserved and opportunistic samples (PERMANOVA). Core bacterial communities remained consistent across sample conditions, supporting the use of opportunistic samples for GMB studies in remote arid settings. I also evaluated how parasite presence, abundance, and co-infection related to GMB diversity and composition. Parasite richness and composition differed between hosts, with cestodes such as Echinococcus prevalent in both. Several parasite taxa were significantly associated with bacterial beta diversity, particularly in opportunistic samples. Strongyloides in lions and Echinococcus in hyenas were linked to altered bacterial composition and reduced abundance of beneficial taxa. These findings validate low-cost preservation methods and suggest that parasites may modulate gut microbiota in wild carnivores, with implications for host health and conservation
Do Empathy and Compassion Outshine Hatred? The Attitudes of American Soldiers Towards German Soldiers During World War II.
Full text linkWWII was the bloodiest conflict in all of human history, the study and research of the war, events leading up to it, and the post-war world are covered extensively. Through all the historiography relating to WWII, the everyday American soldier who fought on the frontlines is underrepresented in the historiography, a vast majority of works look into high-level generals, key political figures, and major battles and campaigns. This paper looks into the attitudes of those everyday American soldiers who did the brunt of the fighting and what their feelings were of the average German soldiers they were sent to fight and defeat. This study relies on the memoirs of Charles L. Foreman, his memoirs are accounts of himself and other junior enlisted soldiers in his battalion who participated in the Western European theater. The study also uses other primary sources of American soldiers and documents published by the United States Government that were disseminated to their soldiers. Through an analysis of these sources, it shows that everyday American soldiers were either empathetic or indifferent towards the average German soldier, as long as they abided by the written rules of war and a set of unspoken rules of war. This paper allows us to gain a larger understanding of how the war was conducted on a personal level, it was these everyday soldiers that won the war, and studying their actions will contribute to the historiography of WWII
Stifled Voices: World War II from the Upper Peninsula
Full text linkAcademic scholarship on World War II is primarily based around letters and correspondence between soldiers and their families. A large body of such correspondence exists for both the Upper and Lower Peninsulas of Michigan; yet, most scholarship on the state’s connection to World War II is centered around strictly the Lower Peninsula. This is especially strange when comparing the data on enlisted soldiers from both Peninsulas, as we find the percentage of the population who enlisted in the US Army from the Upper Peninsula is roughly double that of the percentage for Lower Peninsula enlistments. There are clear reasons as to why this is the case; the Lower Peninsula has a drastically larger population and a large industrial capacity, both of which also factor into the urban centers being hotbeds for cultural change. Yet, given the fascinating depth of both the military and social commentary present in the narratives of these Upper Peninsula natives during the war, its presence as a glaring blind spot in the academic study of the region is both perplexing and unwarranted. The focus of this paper is to draw attention to this disparity in a way that highlights the need for further scholarly work in examining how World War II affected the Upper Peninsula and its residents
ALMUBAREZ: A FUSION OF DIGITAL INNOVATION FOR FENCING TRAINING
No full textFencing requires agility, accuracy, and strategy, yet current training technologies lack flexibility, detailed analytics, and accessibility. This research introduces Al Mubarez, an AI-powered fencing training robot integrating motion-sensing fabric, Internet of Things (IoT) technology, and real-time performance analysis to provide personalized training. The system incorporates mechanical, electronic, and sensory components, including an aluminium framework, motorized actuation systems, and capacitive touch sensors, while software development focuses on motion control, reaction time evaluation, and AI-driven data visualization. AI models process tactile sensors and motion-tracking data in real time to improve adaptability. The initial phase established a stable mechanical structure and controlled movement system, with a sumo-style platform ensuring high stability and an aluminium frame withstanding repeated impacts, confirming its durability. Additionally, the differential movement system enabled smooth mobility, setting the foundation for advanced AI integration. Al Mubarez shows significant promise as an interactive and adaptive training tool, addressing key shortcomings of existing solutions. While AI-powered pattern tracking and comprehensive analytics are still in development, initial findings confirm feasibility, with future research focusing on enhancing AI adaptability and performance assessment
THE EFFECT OF THE EYES-CLOSED CONDITION ON MUSCLE ACTIVATION, GROUND REACTION FORCE, AND 3D KINEMATICS IN COUNTERMOVEMENT JUMPS
No full textThis study investigates the effects of the eyes-closed condition on lower limb muscle activation, ground reaction force, and three-dimensional kinematics during repeated countermovement jumps in healthy young male adults. Data were collected in a controlled laboratory setting using a force platform, 3D motion capture, and wireless electromyography. The results offer insight into the interplay between sensory re-weighting and motor control under altered visual conditions. While key performance parameters remain largely consistent between eyes-open and eyes-closed trials, subtle differences in joint kinematics suggest compensatory adaptations may occur. These findings contribute to a better understanding of sensory integration in dynamic motor tasks within this specific population
TOWARDS AI-BASED AT-HOME PHSIOTHERAPY FOR THE ELDERLY: COMPARING MOVENET WITH VITPOSE IN HUMAN POSE ESTIMATION
No full textThe current tendency to shorten hospital stays requires patients to do rehabilitation exercises independently at home after knee and hip replacement surgeries. To help address the lack of supervision, we are developing a digital system that uses Human Pose Estimation (HPE) to analyse patient motion and provide feedback. In this work, we focus on two system aspects: (1) A tablet-based mobile application with an elderly-friendly interface and (2) a quantitative comparison of a widely used real-time HPE algorithm (MoveNet) with one of the top performers on the COCO benchmark (ViTPose). We provide experimental results for two-dimensional (2D) HPE on public FreeMan single-person data. Compared to MoveNet, ViTPose achieves almost 19% higher Percentage of Correct Keypoints (PCK) at a 5% torso threshold and nearly 8% higher PCK at a 10% threshold
THE ANALYSIS METHOD RESULTS IN DIFFERENCES IN THE EVALUATION OF DROP JUMP KINETICS: PROOF OF CONCEPT AT THREE DROPPING HEIGHTS
No full textThe purpose of the study was to examine possible variations in estimating the initial DJ conditions (landing velocity) and consequently drop jump (DJ) performance and kinetics when using different force-recording instrumentation (i.e., number of force-plates) and analysis methods. Volleyball players (n = 10) executed DJs from 20, 40, and 60 cm. Differences in drop (DropH) and jump (Hjump) height, and DJ biomechanical parameters were examined with the nominal single (SFP) and double force-plate method (DFP), as well as the drop (DTM) and flight time (FTM) method. Results indicated that DropH was different than the nominal when the DFP and DTM were applied, leading to absolute percentage differences in Hjump ranging from 16.1% to 26.6% across drop heights. Sports scientists are suggested to use DFP for accurately measuring the initial DJ conditions
TESTING ACLR FOOTBALL PLAYERS ON THE FIELD: AN ALGORITHM TO ASSESS CUTTING BIOMECHANICS INJURY RISK THROUGH WEARABLES
No full textThe aim of the present study was to develop an algorithm to assess the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury risk during the return to sport (RTS) continuum through sport-specific biomechanical testing. Sixty-two players (21 ACLR, 40 healthy controls) performed planned and unplanned football-specific changes of direction in a football pitch. Kinematics were collected through 8 wearable inertial sensors (MTw Awinda, Movella) on lower limbs and sternum. An algorithm to determine the risk of knee loading based on the dangerous movement patterns was provided (“Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury Risk profile Detection”, ACL-IRD). The algorithm detected at-risk biomechanics in about one-fourth of the trials, mostly when performed with the injured limb. The ACL-IRD algorithm objectively detects injury risk biomechanics in ACLR football players and has the potential to assist the RTS decision making through ecologically valid, data-driven assessments
THE HALFPIPE LINES OF THE 2022 MEN\u27S OLYMPIC SNOWBOARD FINALISTS: AN EXPLORATIVE ANALYSIS
No full textThe purpose of this exploratory study was to visualize and describe the halfpipe lines of the 2022 Men’s Olympic Snowboard finalists using an ultra-wideband positioning system. Riders choose the line to gain speed and prepare the take-off to perform tricks. From a bird\u27s eye view the lines from riders\u27 right wall to riders\u27 left wall has a shape similar to a negative hyperbolic tangent. The return path – from the left wall to the right wall - resembles a hyperbolic tangent. On average the 92 lines cover 18.93 ± 2.33 m in x-direction. Thereby the mean riding from landing to flat center vs. flat center to take-off ratio on the x-axis is 65:35. This means that more distance is travelled down the halfpipe (x-direction) when riding from landing to flat center than when riding from flat center to take-off. Follow-up studies should identify the causes of the different lines and the dependence on the halfpipe shape and the snow conditions