Modern dance: theoretical fundamentals of the latest educational approaches

The purpose of the article is to substantiate the theoretical principles of using specific approaches in the process of training performers of modern dance. The research methodology is based on an interdisciplinary synthesis of scientific methods and approaches integrated with pedagogy, art history, and psychology. General scientific methods were also used: analysis, synthesis, generalization. The scientific novelty of the article lies in the conceptualization of the theoretical substantiation of specific approaches in the preparation of performers for modern dance, in particular, taking into account the latest technologies and psycho-emotional and mental characteristics of the performer. Conclusions. Along with traditional methods of teaching modern dances, it is necessary to develop and implement innovative methods and approaches that would meet the requirements of the latest technological development. In particular, they are related to the peculiarities of distance education, the ability to use computer programs to simulate biomechanical models of movement, to hone their kinematic technique, which largely determines the aesthetic and visual superiority and complexity of modern dance compositions. It is important to take into account the psycho-emotional characteristics of the modern dancer based on the development of his creative and innovative thinking, improvisation, as well as the socio-communicative component, which involves the ability to convey a wide range of potential emotional expressions and social signals from performer to spectator. Keywords: modern dance, innovative thinking, creative thinking, new approaches, teaching choreography, hand biomechanics, psychoemotional state.

Modern dance: theoretical foundations of the latest approaches to teaching

The purpose of the article is to substantiate the theoretical principles of using specific approaches in the process of training performers of modern dance. The research methodology is based on an interdisciplinary synthesis of scientific methods and approaches integrated into pedagogy, art history, and psychology. General scientific methods were also used: analysis, synthesis, generalization. The scientific novelty of the article lies in the conceptualization of the theoretical substantiation of specific approaches in the preparation of performers for modern dance, in particular, taking into account the latest technologies and psycho-emotional and mental characteristics of the performer. Conclusions. Along with traditional methods of teaching modern dances, it is necessary to develop and implement innovative methods and approaches that would meet the requirements of the latest technological development. In particular, they are related to the peculiarities of distance education, the ability to use computer programs to simulate biomechanical models of movement, to hone their kinematic technique, which largely determines the aesthetic and visual superiority and complexity of modern dance compositions. It is important to take into account the psycho-emotional characteristics of the modern dancer based on the development of his creative and innovative thinking, improvisation, as well as the socio-communicative component, which involves the ability to convey a wide range of potential emotional expressions and social signals from performer to spectator. Keywords: modern dance, innovative thinking, creative thinking, new approaches, teaching choreography, hand biomechanics, psychoemotional state.

Adaptation Strategies for Personalized Gait Neuroprosthetics

Personalization of gait neuroprosthetics is paramount to ensure their efficacy for users, who experience severe limitations in mobility without an assistive device. Our goal is to develop assistive devices that collaborate with and are tailored to their users, while allowing them to use as much of their existing capabilities as possible. Currently, personalization of devices is challenging, and technological advances are required to achieve this goal. Therefore, this paper presents an overview of challenges and research directions regarding an interface with the peripheral nervous system, an interface with the central nervous system, and the requirements of interface computing architectures. The interface should be modular and adaptable, such that it can provide assistance where it is needed. Novel data processing technology should be developed to allow for real-time processing while accounting for signal variations in the human. Personalized biomechanical models and simulation techniques should be developed to predict assisted walking motions and interactions between the user and the device. Furthermore, the advantages of interfacing with both the brain and the spinal cord or the periphery should be further explored. Technological advances of interface computing architecture should focus on learning on the chip to achieve further personalization. Furthermore, energy consumption should be low to allow for longer use of the neuroprosthesis. In-memory processing combined with resistive random access memory is a promising technology for both. This paper discusses the aforementioned aspects to highlight new directions for future research in gait neuroprosthetics.

Shaken Baby Syndrome: Simple Review Article

Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) occurs in infants when the head is subjected to excessive acceleration and deceleration. Guthkelch first identified SBS when he noticed that infants with subdural hematoma did not always have gross markings, indicating the possibility of a baby shaking. The rotational force pushes the brain against the skull, causing various types of head and neck injuries. Ophthalmologic testing for retinal haemorrhages and ocular fundus, which can rule out SBS, is one of the tests for SBS. Immunohistochemical staining for -amyloid precursor protein (-APP) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) accurately identify brain injuries and bleeding, resulting in a more accurate diagnosis of SBS. SBS symptoms are shared by other etiologies, making it difficult to determine the true cause of infantile injury. Experiments using biomechanical models to recreate the whiplash movement have not revealed subdural haemorrhaging, but limitations in the models have doubt to these results.

Fast-running theropods tracks from the Early Cretaceous of La Rioja, Spain

Theropod behaviour and biodynamics are intriguing questions that paleontology has been trying to resolve for a long time. The lack of extant groups with similar bipedalism has made it hard to answer some of the questions on the matter, yet theoretical biomechanical models have shed some light on the question of how fast theropods could run and what kind of movement they showed. The study of dinosaur tracks can help answer some of these questions due to the very nature of tracks as a product of the interaction of these animals with the environment. Two trackways belonging to fast-running theropods from the Lower Cretaceous Enciso Group of Igea (La Rioja) are presented here and compared with other fast-running theropod trackways published to date. The Lower Cretaceous Iberian fossil record and some features present in these footprints and trackways suggest a basal tetanuran, probably a carcharodontosaurid or spinosaurid, as a plausible trackmaker. Speed analysis shows that these trackways, with speed ranges of 6.5–10.3 and 8.8–12.4 ms−1, testify to some of the top speeds ever calculated for theropod tracks, shedding light on the question of dinosaur biodynamics and how these animals moved.

Corneal Biomechanics Computational Analysis for Keratoconus Diagnosis

For machine learning techniques to be used in early keratoconus diagnosis, researchers aimed to find and model representations of corneal biomechanical characteristics from exam images generated by the Corvis ST. Image segments were used to identify and convert anterior data into vectors for representation and representation of apparent posterior surfaces, apparent pachymetry, and the composition of apparent anterior data in images. Chained (batch images) and simplified with wavelet, the vectors were also arranged as 2D histograms for deep learning use in a neural network. An interval of 0.7843 to 1 and a significance level of 0.0157 were used in the scoring, with the classifications getting points for being as sensitive as they could be while also being as precise as they could be. In order to train and validate the used data from examination bases in Europe and Iraq, in grades I to IV, researchers looked at data from 686 healthy eyes and 406 keratoconus-afflicted eyes. With a score of 0.8247, sensitivity of 89.49%, and specificity of 92.09%, the European database found that apparent pachymetry from batch images applied with level 4 wavelet and processed quickly had the highest accuracy. This is a 2D histogram of apparent pachymetry with a score of 0.8361, which indicates that it is 88.58 percent sensitive and 94.389% specific. According to the findings, keratoconus can be diagnosed using biomechanical models.

Equine biomechanical models for three-dimensional kinematics analysis: literature review/ Modelos biomecânicos equinos para análise de cinemática tridimensional: revisão de literatura

Three-dimensional analysis in horses has been widely used in the past years due to technological advancement. With the objective of conducting a literature review of the applicability of existing evidence in horses of a biomechanical model focusing on three-dimensional kinematics and its production in Veterinary Medicine, we searched in the databases: ScienceDirect, SciELO and PubMed. To access them, using as key-words: "Three-dimensional kinematic model in equines", "equine kinematic analysis", "biomechanics of equine locomotion", "equine kinematic model". Selection criteria were papers published between: paper published between 1990 and 2020, in English, with free electronic access and in which characteristics of a three-dimensional kinematic model in horses were mentioned. Most studies were experimental, and population included both healthy horses and pathological ones. Three-dimensional kinematic model was used mainly to understand the analysed movement and using as model the full body. There is scientific evidence on the use of biomechanical models for three-dimensional kinematic analysis in horses published in the period studied, used by professionals in veterinary medicine. The objectives of using the model were specific to the type of movement or pathology of the horse and consistent with the characteristics of the studies.

A model of tension-induced fiber growth predicts white matter organization during brain folding

The past decade has experienced renewed interest in the physical processes that fold the developing cerebral cortex. Biomechanical models and experiments suggest that growth of the cortex, outpacing growth of underlying subcortical tissue (prospective white matter), is sufficient to induce folding. However, current models do not explain the well-established links between white matter organization and fold morphology, nor do they consider subcortical remodeling that occurs during the period of folding. Here we propose a framework by which cortical folding may induce subcortical fiber growth and organization. Simulations incorporating stress-induced fiber elongation indicate that subcortical stresses resulting from folding are sufficient to induce stereotyped fiber organization beneath gyri and sulci. Model predictions are supported by high-resolution ex vivo diffusion tensor imaging of the developing rhesus macaque brain. Together, results provide support for the theory of cortical growth-induced folding and indicate that mechanical feedback plays a significant role in brain connectivity.

Iterative Methods for the Biomechanical Evaluation of Corneal Response. A Case Study in the Measurement Phase

the number of corneal surgeries steadily grew in recent years and boosted the development of corneal biomechanical models. These models can contribute to simulating surgery by reducing associated risks and the need for secondary interventions due to ectasias or other problems related to correcting other diseases. Biomechanical models are based on the geometry obtained with corneal topography, which is affected by intraocular pressure and material properties. Knowledge of stress distribution in the measurement phase is a key factor for improving the accuracy of in silico mechanical models. In this work, the results obtained by two different methods: prestress method and displacements method were compared to evaluate the stress and strain distribution in a general geometric model based on the Navarro eye geometry and two real corneal geometries. The results show that both methods are equivalent for the achievement of the stress distribution in the measurement phase. Stress distribution over the corneal geometry in the measurement phase is a key factor for accurate biomechanical simulations, and these simulations could help to develop patient-specific models and reduce the number of secondary interventions in clinical practice.