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Adaptive ruminant optimization with LoRa-based communication for formation control of multiple UAVs
No full textIn a dynamic environment with mountains and hazardous peaks, avoiding collisions and maintaining the desired formation is a crucial problem. This paper addresses this problem by presenting a novel formation control strategy of a cluster of UAVs in three different scenarios. The first scenario is designed to test the designed algorithm and hence contains no obstacles. The second scenario introduces some obstacles in the form of mountains to see whether the proposed algorithm can avoid the obstacles while maintaining the formation. In the last scenario, all the UAVs join together in one big cluster and have to avoid the obstacles while maintaining the formation. To design the environment for the scenarios, this study uses graph theory. To address the aforementioned scenarios, this paper offers a novel strategy by integrating a bio-inspired algorithm called the Adaptive Ruminant Optimization Algorithm (AROA) with the Long Range (LoRa) communication to achieve the formation control of multiple UAVs. Initially, AROA offers the best agents of each of the swarm. Then, the proposed method helps choose the best agent to be the leader for each of the swarm. The leader of each swarm finds the best trajectory for each swarm. LoRa-based networking technique is used for the connectivity between the UAVs. In addition, this study uses basis splines (B-splines) to smooth the planned trajectories of UAVs. Lastly, simulations demonstrate the better convergence and efficiency of the designed strategy by comparing it with classic algorithms. The simulations also show that the proposed method successfully maintains formation control in all three scenarios
The reliability and validity of different methods for measuring countermovement jump height
No full textPrevious research indicates the importance of the countermovement jump (CMJ) test to monitor lower-limb power and neuromuscular fatigue. While jump height (JH) can be measured using various equipment, this study compared the JH obtained from the Just Jump System (JJS), OptoJump and the MyJump2 app against the Vald ForceDecks system using the impulse-momentum calculation method, which is regarded as the gold standard method to calculate JH. This study also assessed the one-week test-retest reliability of these pieces of equipment. The participants in this study were 20 (n = 12 male and n = 8 female) university sports students and staff (mean ± SD; age: 20.90 ± 2.63 years; stature: 1.76 ± 0.10 m; mass: 72.17 ± 11.07 kg). Participants completed a standardised warm-up and rested for three minutes before completing three CMJs on each piece of equipment in a randomised, counterbalanced order. The same protocols were used in the second session, with a different equipment testing order. Both MyJump and OptoJump have high agreement levels (Mean bias and 95% CI = 2.32 cm [1.57 – 3.09] and 1.92 cm [1.23 – 2.59], respectively) with the gold measurement standard (ForceDecks using IM). However, a high mean bias for the JJS (Mean bias = 9.88 cm [9.26 – 10.46]) was reported. This study also found that all methods are reliable for assessing JH (Mean bias and [95% CI]: ForceDecks = 0.24 cm [-0.47 – 0.92], JJS = 0.74 cm [0.08 -1.42], MyJump = 0.05 cm [-0.57 – 0.71] and Optojump = -0.14 cm [-0.77-0.49]). Overall, the equipment investigated in this study showed high levels of reliability, and only the JJS had low validity compared to the ForceDecks. Coaches should consider what data they want to collect, its validity and reliability, the purpose of the testing and the cost of the equipment when deciding which system to purchase
Alone in the crowd? Live music audiences and individual experience
No full textAcademic inquiries into the motivations and experiences of live music audiences have typically focused on the communal and social experience of concerts and festivals, whereas the experience of individual concertgoers has been relatively unexplored, especially in popular music contexts. In this article, qualitative interviews and focus groups were undertaken with self-declared progressive rock fans to understand their often-individualised engagement with the live music experience. The findings demonstrate the importance of live music performance and appreciation, attentive listening, and detailed personal evaluation of the musicians and their performances to these fans. The co-presence of others in the live music setting served to legitimise not only these fans’ tastes in music but also their individualised way of engaging with, experiencing, and enjoying the concert experience: their preference for the ‘text’ over ‘context’
Potentiation of antibacterial activity of cefixime in synergy with <i>Cirsium arvense</i> (L.) Scop. against resistant bacterial isolates
No full textAntibiotic resistance is a major health priority, with the concern over antibiotic resistance growing. The rise in antibiotic-resistant bacteria coupled with the limited new therapeutics puts pressure on community and hospital healthcare systems and leads to excessive morbidity and mortality. Given this, there has been significant interest into potential new and/or combination antibacterial treatments including certain plant extracts. When combined with resistance medicines, these extracts can re-sensitize their potency. One such plant is Cirsium arvense which has been traditionally used for its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Preliminary findings suggest that its extracts may enhance the activity of conventional antibiotics against resistant strains like MRSA. The current study assessed cefixime’s and Cirsium arvense extracts’ synergistic antibacterial efficacy against Escherichia coli, Acinetobacter baumannii, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The antibacterial activity of extracts and the susceptibility profile of antibiotics were assessed using the disc diffusion and microbroth dilution assays. Chequerboard, time-kill kinetics, and protein content tests were performed to verify synergistic antibacterial effect. Our results demonstrated that when these extracts were applied to clinical strains of bacteria along with the cefixime, there was complete or partial synergy was displayed. Time-kill kinetics demonstrated that synergism was dependent on both concentration and time, and bacterial isolates treated with these exhibited significantly reduced bacterial growth and protein content. Taken together, these results show that Cirsium arvense extracts enhance the efficacy of conventional antibiotics against antibiotic-resistant strains of Escherichia coli, Acinetobacter baumannii, and MRSA and clearly suggest that these plant extracts could be used as additives to current resistant antibiotics for the future management or treatment of resistant bacterial infections
Why are students not attending in-person classes post-COVID-19? An explorative study in student engagement
No full textAcross UK and global higher education, new trends in student engagement have emerged with in-person attendance having significantly decreased post-COVID-19. There are numerous theories suggesting reasons why a decrease in student attendance has occurred post COVID-19, such as a desire to learn online, the current cost of living crisis, and a further increase in poor mental health. Therefore, this research aims to explore this topic with elected programme-level Student Academic Representatives from three post-92 institutions to contribute to the national debate. The findings cement that the cost-of-living crisis has a significant impact on students? choices to attend classes. However, the research also demonstrates that teaching quality and content remain at the heart of student decision-making when it comes to attendance and that HEPs therefore have control over developing solutions to this challenge by fore fronting the lived experiences of their students
Positional influence in football passing networks: an analysis of the tactical systems and match outcomes
No full textThis study analysed how tactical systems and match outcomes influence micro-level passing network metrics across playing positions in a professional football team competing in the Portuguese First Division during the 2020–2021 season. It examined how structural variation affects Degree Centrality, Degree Prestige, and Proximity Prestige across tactical systems (1-4-1-4-1, 1-4-3-3, 1-3-4-3) and outcomes (win, loss, draw) in different positions. Data from 28 league matches were used, with adjacency matrices constructed from teammate interactions. Players were grouped into six positions: goalkeepers, fullbacks, central defenders, central midfielders, wingers, and strikers. One-way ANOVA revealed significant differences (p < 0.05) across positions, tactical systems, and match outcomes. Central defenders consistently showed higher values of Degree Centrality and Degree Prestige across most systems and outcomes, highlighting their structural importance. In contrast, strikers and wingers displayed greater Proximity Prestige in the 1-4-3-3 and 1-3-4-3, reflecting their offensive positioning. Match outcome analysis indicated that wingers had significantly higher Degree Prestige in won matches compared to losses. Overall, results show that micro-level network metrics vary meaningfully by position and context, underscoring the importance of interpreting them cautiously. Despite the novelty of this study, focusing on the initial tactical systems without capturing within-match adjustments may condition the generality of the results. Coaches and practitioners should account for tactical and outcome-related variations when applying network analysis to optimise team dynamics
Towards an ontology of development: conceptualising development amongst experts within sport-for-development and peace
No full textIn the mass mobilisation of movements in recent years to tackle global inequalities, the sport-for-development and peace (SDP) movement, which at its core aims to use sport as a tool for development, has gained prominence. However, the term development in social science is one without a uniform definition. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to attempt to understand the meaning of development amongst academics within the SDP field in an effort to bring greater clarity around the ambiguous notion of development. Through interviews with six SDP experts, an attempt is made to conceptualise development within SDP
Empowering women leaders through online strategic leadership education
No full textThe Design-Based Research methodology, integrated with Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, was employed across two iterative cycles. Data collection included semi-structured interviews, participant journals, focus groups, and validated leadership assessments. A Strategic Leadership and Management for Women course was developed, implemented, and refined across two iterations with 75 participants total (45 in Iteration 1, 30 in Iteration 2). Iteration 1 demonstrated statistically significant improvements across all leadership dimensions (p&lt;0.001, Cohen’s d=0.89-1.45). Iteration 2 showed enhanced engagement with a 319% increase in content views and 50% increase in active users compared to Iteration 1. Cross-iteration analysis revealed improved peer interaction, sustained motivation, and stronger development of leadership identity through refined pedagogical approaches. Findings inform iterative leadership development programme design in higher education institutions, evidence-based approaches to course refinement, organisational diversity and inclusion initiatives, and policy development for gender equity in leadership through systematic intervention improvement and peer-supported learning environments. This research provides the first systematic two-iteration integration of Design-Based Research with Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis for women’s leadership development, demonstrating how iterative refinement enhances educational interventions and offering both theoretical insights into leadership identity formation and practical intervention models for educational institutions
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