Comparison of Distance and Angular Analysis for Measurement of Hamstring Flexibility in Preschoolers

The study aimed to (1) investigate the reliability and usefulness of a proposed angular analysis during a modified sit-and-reach (MSR) test, and (2) compare the proposed MSR angular analysis and the commonly used MSR distance to verify the influence of the anthropometric characteristics in preschoolers. 194 preschoolers participated in the study. Before testing, the anthropometric characteristics were collected. Each participant performed the MSR test twice. The MSR distance score was obtained from the starting point to the reaching point, while the MSR angle score was calculated according to the approximate hip flexion angle. Both the relative and absolute reliability were good for the angular analysis during an MSR test in preschoolers (ICC ranging from 0.82 to 0.91, CV% ranging from 8.21 to 9.40). The angular analysis demonstrated good usefulness, with a lower typical error than the smallest worthwhile change in 3- and 5-year-old groups. The MSR angle scores could eliminate the concern of the influence of anthropometric characteristics, while MSR distance and anthropometric characteristics (i.e., sitting height and arm length) were found to be weakly correlated. In conclusion, the angular analysis when performing the MSR test is reliable and appears to eliminate the concern regarding the limb length bias.

Feasibility study of measuring $$b\rightarrow s\gamma $$ photon polarisation in $$D^0\rightarrow K_1(1270)^- e^+\nu _e$$ at STCF

We report a sensitive study of measuring $$b\rightarrow s\gamma $$ b → s γ photon polarisation in $$D^{0}\rightarrow K_1(1270)^-e^+\nu _e$$ D 0 → K 1 ( 1270 ) - e + ν e with an integrated luminosity of $$\mathscr {L}$$ L = 1 ab$$^{-1}$$ - 1 at a center-of-mass energy of 3.773 GeV at a future Super Tau Charm Facility. More than 61,000 signals of $$D^{0}\rightarrow K_1(1270)^-e^+\nu _e$$ D 0 → K 1 ( 1270 ) - e + ν e are expected. Based on a fast simulation software package, the statistical sensitivity for the ratio of up-down asymmetry is estimated to be $$1.5\times 10^{-2}$$ 1.5 × 10 - 2 by performing a two-dimensional angular analysis in $$D^{0}\rightarrow K_1(1270)^-e^+\nu _e$$ D 0 → K 1 ( 1270 ) - e + ν e . Combining with measurements of up-down asymmetry in $$B\rightarrow K_1\gamma $$ B → K 1 γ , the photon polarisation in $$b\rightarrow s\gamma $$ b → s γ can be determined model-independently.

Angular analysis of the rare decay $$ {B}_s^0 $$ → ϕμ+μ−

An angular analysis of the rare decay $$ {B}_s^0 $$ B s 0 → ϕμ+μ− is presented, using proton-proton collision data collected by the LHCb experiment at centre-of-mass energies of 7, 8 and 13 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 8.4 fb−1. The observables describing the angular distributions of the decay $$ {B}_s^0 $$ B s 0 → ϕμ+μ− are determined in regions of q2, the square of the dimuon invariant mass. The results are consistent with Standard Model predictions.

First measurement of the $$C\!P$$-violating phase in $${{B} ^0_{s}} \!\rightarrow {{J /\psi }} ($$ $$\rightarrow $$ $$e ^+e ^-$$)$$\phi $$ decays

A flavour-tagged time-dependent angular analysis of $${{B} ^0_{s}} \!\rightarrow {{J /\psi }} \phi $$ B s 0 → J / ψ ϕ decays is presented where the $${J /\psi }$$ J / ψ meson is reconstructed through its decay to an $$e ^+e ^-$$ e + e - pair. The analysis uses a sample of pp collision data recorded with the LHCb experiment at centre-of-mass energies of 7 and $$8\text {\,Te V} $$ 8 \,Te V , corresponding to an integrated luminosity of $$3 \text {\,fb} ^{-1} $$ 3 \,fb - 1 . The $$C\!P$$ C P -violating phase and lifetime parameters of the $${B} ^0_{s} $$ B s 0 system are measured to be $${\phi _{{s}}} =0.00\pm 0.28\pm 0.07\text {\,rad}$$ ϕ s = 0.00 ± 0.28 ± 0.07 \,rad , $${\Delta \Gamma _{{s}}} =0.115\pm 0.045\pm 0.011\text {\,ps} ^{-1} $$ Δ Γ s = 0.115 ± 0.045 ± 0.011 \,ps - 1 and $${\Gamma _{{s}}} =0.608\pm 0.018\pm 0.012\text {\,ps} ^{-1} $$ Γ s = 0.608 ± 0.018 ± 0.012 \,ps - 1 where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic. This is the first time that $$C\!P$$ C P -violating parameters are measured in the $${{B} ^0_{s}} \!\rightarrow {{J /\psi }} \phi $$ B s 0 → J / ψ ϕ decay with an $$e ^+e ^-$$ e + e - pair in the final state. The results are consistent with previous measurements in other channels and with the Standard Model predictions.

Ultra short time to Echo (UTE) MRI for cephalometric analysis–Potential of an x-ray free fast cephalometric projection technique

Objectives A novel magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan protocol is presented on the basis of ultra-short time to echo (UTE). By this MRI cephalometric projections (MCPs) can be acquired without the need of post processing in one shot. Different technical parameterizations of the protocol are performed. Their impact on the performance of MCPs is evaluated in comparison to the gold standard–the lateral cephalometric radiography (LCR) for cephalometric analysis (CA) in orthodontics. Methods Seven MCPs with various scan parameters influencing the scan duration and one LCR are used from one subject. 40 expert assessors performed CA for 14 predefined cephalometric landmarks. Relative metric distances and absolute angular measurements were calculated. Statistical analysis is presented and the deviations are highlighted to demonstrate the potential of the method for further analysis. Results The MCPs are acquired in 5–154 seconds, depending on resolution and contrast. Mean relative distances were 2.4–2.7 mm in MCPs and 1.6 mm in LCR, which demonstrate the accuracy and level of agreement of the expert assessors in identifying anatomical landmarks. In comparison to other studies, the presented MCP performed similar in angular analysis and demonstrated on average deviation of 1.2° ±1.1° in comparison to LCR. Despite the point articulare (Ar) and the related gonial angle the calculate distances and angles show outcomes in the range of ±2°/2mm. Conclusions MCPs can be acquired much faster in comparison to other techniques known from literature for CA. This study demonstrated the potential of the new method and showed first feasible results. Further research is needed to analyze the performance on a broad range of patients.

Angular analysis of $$ {B}^0\to {D}^{\ast -}{D}_s^{\ast +} $$ with $$ {D}_s^{\ast +}\to {D}_s^{+}\gamma $$ decays

The first full angular analysis of the $$ {B}^0\to {D}^{\ast -}{D}_s^{\ast +} $$ B 0 → D ∗ − D s ∗ + decay is performed using 6 fb−1 of pp collision data collected with the LHCb experiment at a centre-of-mass energy of 13 TeV. The $$ {D}_s^{\ast +}\to {D}_s^{+}\gamma $$ D s ∗ + → D s + γ and D*− → $$ {\overline{D}}^0{\pi}^{-} $$ D ¯ 0 π − vector meson decays are used with the subsequent $$ {D}_s^{+} $$ D s + → K+K−π+ and $$ {\overline{D}}^0 $$ D ¯ 0 → K+π− decays. All helicity amplitudes and phases are measured, and the longitudinal polarisation fraction is determined to be fL = 0.578 ± 0.010 ± 0.011 with world-best precision, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second is systematic. The pattern of helicity amplitude magnitudes is found to align with expectations from quark-helicity conservation in B decays. The ratio of branching fractions [ℬ($$ {B}^0\to {D}^{\ast -}{D}_s^{\ast +} $$ B 0 → D ∗ − D s ∗ + ) × ℬ($$ {D}_s^{\ast +}\to {D}_s^{+}\gamma $$ D s ∗ + → D s + γ )]/ℬ(B0 → D*−$$ {D}_s^{+} $$ D s + ) is measured to be 2.045 ± 0.022 ± 0.071 with world-best precision. In addition, the first observation of the Cabibbo-suppressed Bs → D*−$$ {D}_s^{+} $$ D s + decay is made with a significance of seven standard deviations. The branching fraction ratio ℬ(Bs → D*−$$ {D}_s^{+} $$ D s + )/ℬ(B0 → D*−$$ {D}_s^{+} $$ D s + ) is measured to be 0.049 ± 0.006 ± 0.003 ± 0.002, where the third uncertainty is due to limited knowledge of the ratio of fragmentation fractions.

The Redemptive Potential of the Street. A Multi-angular Analysis of Dubai’s Pedestrian Infrastructure

Much has been written on the fast-paced development of Dubai as a city and the favoring of car-oriented streets in the approach to road building. This paper offers a reading of the city using the most forward-driven technological approaches in urban and transport planning to derive patterns and insights into areas of critical concern for intervention. The approach stems from the idea of incremental retrofitting as opposed to toppling over the current infrastructure, as a way to significantly enhance the walkability and viability of Dubai’s streets for its residents using minimal resources, while drastically enhancing their ability to utilize public space. The focal element of this collection of studies is the street. In full, the extensive research traces the functional structure of 36 streets within the city, offering various insights into their potential to deliver better walkable environments. From observations of field surveys to progressive applied methods, this collection of studies offers taxonomic categorizations of Dubai’s streets as well as possible concerted and planned retrofitting strategies designed to encourage safe and comfortable walking experiences in a timely manner, and reduce possibilities for contracting airborne diseases, such as the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. This paper focuses on how the interplay of various interdependent components of urban infrastructure creates the conditions for Dubai’s street space to respond to walkability needs. Building on international practice and the latest disciplinary tools, this paper delves into the physical characteristics of Dubai’s streets and interrogates some of the critical areas whereby minimal intervention is perceived to have a huge impact on spatio-temporal urban quality. In effect, the study highlights avenues for activating Dubai’s most overlooked latent public spaces: its streets.