Search Results (171)

Background: Mixed martial arts (MMA) involve repeated high-intensity, explosive actions that cause substantial fatigue, underscoring the importance of effective recovery strategies. Purpose: This pilot study investigated short-term performance responses to different post-exercise recovery interventions in Polish MMA athletes. Methods: Sixteen athletes (14 males and 2 females) were randomly assigned to cryosauna (CRYO), cold-water immersion (CWI), foam rolling (FR), or passive recovery (CON), with 4 participants per group. The intervention lasted two weeks, with the assigned recovery intervention applied after each training session. Performance was evaluated before and after the intervention using the countermovement jump (CMJ), isokinetic knee peak torque (flexion and extension), and reactive stress tolerance of the determination test (DT). Data were analyzed using mixed-design ANOVA. Results: CMJ performance improved over time across groups. FR significantly increased knee extension (from 228.67 ± 26.49 N.m to 250.50 ± 22.41 N.m), whereas DT scores significantly increased in the CRYO group (from 247.50 ± 12.50 AU to 291.50 ± 15.61 AU) and significantly decreased in the CON group (from 290.25 ± 24.45 AU to 255.50 ± 24.18 AU). Significant Time × Group interactions were observed for DT (p < 0.001) and knee extension torque (p = 0.008). Conclusions: FR appeared beneficial for knee extension performance, whereas CRYO was associated with improved DT performance. Findings are exploratory and need confirmation in larger, controlled studies. Full article

A robust authentication and authorization mechanism is imperative in modular system development, where modularity and modular thinking are pivotal. Traditional systems often employ identity modules responsible for authentication and token issuance. Tokens, representing user credentials, offer advantages such as reduced reliance on passwords, limited lifespan, and scoped access. Despite these benefits, the “bearer token” problem persists, leaving systems vulnerable to abuse if tokens are compromised. We propose a token-based authentication mechanism addressing the critical bearer token problem in modular systems. The proposed mechanism includes a novel RAF (Recursive Augmented Fernet) token, a blacklist component, and a policy enforcer component. RAF tokens are one-time-use tokens, like tickets. They carry commands, and the receiver of an RAF token can issue new tokens using the received RAF token. The blacklist component guarantees an RAF token cannot be validated more than once, and the policy enforcer checks the compatibility of commands carried by an RAF token. We introduce two variations of RAF tokens: user-tied RAF, offering simplicity and compatibility, and fully-tied RAF, providing enhanced security through service-specific secret keys. We thoroughly discuss the security guarantees, technical definitions, and construction of RAF tokens backed by game-based proofs. We demonstrate a proof of concept in the context of OpenStack, involving modifications to Keystone and the creation of an RAFT library. The experimental results reveal minimal overhead in typical scenarios, establishing the practicality and effectiveness of RAF. Our experiments show that the RAF mechanism outperforms the use of short-life Fernet tokens while providing much better security. Full article

Background: Exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) after strenuous exercise can impair neuromuscular function and increase muscle soreness. Although cold-water immersion (CWI), massage, and active recovery are widely used, their comparative effects across recovery time windows remain unclear. Objective: We aimed to compare and rank the effects of post-exercise physical recovery strategies on countermovement jump (CMJ), delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS), and creatine kinase (CK) during acute and delayed recovery. Methods: A systematic review and frequentist network meta-analysis were conducted in accordance with PRISMA 2020 and the PRISMA extension for network meta-analyses. Five databases (PubMed, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, Cochrane Library, and Scopus) were searched. The study protocol and prespecified methods were publicly archived on the Open Science Framework (OSF, DOI:10.17605/OSF.IO/ASWU6). Outcomes were grouped into an acute phase (0–24 h) and a delayed phase (48–72 h). The primary analysis was restricted to the connected main network anchored by passive control. Random-effects models were used to calculate effect sizes with 95% confidence intervals, and P-scores were used to rank interventions. Results: In the acute phase, active recovery and CWI demonstrated the largest effect sizes for CMJ recovery at 24 h, though confidence intervals were wide. For DOMS, both CWI and massage showed beneficial effects immediately after exercise and at 24 h. CWI also reduced CK immediately after exercise and at 24 h. In the delayed phase, most effects diminished, with no significant benefit for CMJ or CK; however, CWI remained associated with lower DOMS at 48 h. Conclusions: Recovery effects appear to be strongly time-dependent. Active recovery may be preferable for short-term restoration of explosive performance, massage for early soreness relief, and CWI for broader short-term recovery support. Full article

During manual operations, the human brain relies on mediated visual stimuli such as color to estimate an object’s weight and adjust muscle force through the central nervous system (CNS). This study examines the neuromuscular “reality gap” induced by the color–weight illusion (CWI) during repetitive lifting tasks in an augmented reality (AR) interface. We analyzed the median frequency (MDF) and Co-Contraction Index (CCI) of the biceps and triceps muscles to quantify physiological strain under varying luminance conditions in both AR and physical environments. The results reveal that AR significantly amplifies the CWI, with black stimuli triggering an aggressive joint-stiffening strategy in the AR group (APG). Compared with the physical reality group, the AR group showed lower overall endurance (91.4 ± 22.8 vs. 100.1 ± 12.5 repetitions) and a stronger physiological response to the black stimulus. In the AR group, the black condition was associated with a terminal CCI of 84.7 ± 25.4% and an MDF decline of approximately 21.7 Hz, whereas the corresponding contrast was attenuated in the physical reality group. These findings demonstrate a critical decoupling between behavioral output and internal physiological strain, indicating that the CNS treats virtual visual cues as high-reliability signals that increase metabolic “bio-cost” despite task completion parity. This research identifies a “masking effect” where behavioral metrics hide severe ergonomic risks, providing novel approaches for managing musculoskeletal health in industrial settings and personalizing coordination training in clinical rehabilitation. Full article

Objective: The implantation of biodegradable carmustine (BCNU) wafers is a treatment option for recurrent high-grade glioma (HGG), but its efficacy is debated. We evaluated its impact on overall survival (OS) and survival after recurrence (SAR) considering recurrence timing after first-line treatment. Methods: In this single-center retrospective study, we analyzed patients who underwent surgery for glioblastoma (GBM) recurrence following initial diagnosis (pre- and post-WHO classification 2016) between 2007 and 2022. All patients received standard first-line therapy, including maximal safe resection, radiotherapy with concomitant temozolomide, and adjuvant temozolomide. Recurrent GBM treatment involves resection, with or without adjuvant chemo- and/or radiotherapy. Patients who received carmustine wafer implantation (CWI) during resection were compared to those without wafer placement. Recurrences were classified by timing relative to first-line therapy: (1) post-radiochemotherapy, pre-adjuvant temozolomide; (2) during adjuvant temozolomide; (3) during prolonged temozolomide; (4) >1 month after completion of all therapy. Primary endpoints were OS and SAR, with prognostic factors analyzed. Results: A total of 176 patients were enrolled, with 59.7% (105/176) receiving CWI. Recurrence treatment included surgery without adjuvant therapy in 23.3% (41/176) of cases (26.7% of CWI+ and 18.3% of CWI−), adjuvant chemotherapy in 39.8% (70/176) (41% of CWI+ and 38% of CWI−), radiotherapy in 7.4% (13/176) (7.6% of CWI+ and 7% of CWI−), and combined radiochemotherapy in 29.5% (52/176) (24.8% of CWI+ and 36.6% of CWI−). No significant differences were found between groups in age (p = 0.684), residual tumor volume after initial (p = 0.988) or recurrence surgery (p = 0.356), MGMT status (p = 0.766) and KPS post 1st-line-therapy (p = 0.833). Median OS was 20 months [range 18–24] for CWI+ and 22 months [range 20–27] for CWI− (p = 0.487). The median SAR was 10 months [range 8–12] for CWI+ and 12 months [range 10–13] for CWI− (p = 0.252). Later recurrence (type 4) significantly correlated with prolonged OS (HR 0.16, 95% CI: 0.04–0.66, p = 0.011). Age (p < 0.001), MGMT methylation (p = 0.017), and smaller residual tumor volume post-recurrence surgery (p = 0.008) were also associated with longer survival. Conclusions: CWI did not significantly improve OS or SAR in recurrent GBM patients. However, younger age, MGMT methylation, smaller residual tumor volume, and later recurrence were linked to better survival outcomes, underscoring their prognostic importance. Full article

Background: Due to the congested competition calendar and the high physical demands of elite basketball, the selection of effective recovery strategies is essential to optimize performance and reduce exercise-induced fatigue and muscle damage. This pilot study aimed to examine the acute effects of different nutritional and physical recovery strategies on exercise performance, muscle damage, and perceived fatigue and exertion in elite basketball players. Methods: Fifteen elite male basketball players participated in this pilot randomized crossover trial and completed four recovery conditions: cold-water immersion (CWI), active recovery (ACT), protein–carbohydrate supplementation (SUP), and placebo (PLA). Following a basketball-specific fatigue protocol, creatine kinase, countermovement jump performance, isometric strength, 10 m sprint, and 4 × 10 m shuttle run tests were assessed at baseline, immediately post-exercise, and 24 h post-exercise. Perceived fatigue and rate of perceived exertion were measured at baseline, immediately post-exercise, immediately after the recovery intervention, and 24 h post-exercise. Results: The three recovery methods attenuated the 24 h exercise-induced increase in CK compared with the placebo condition (p > 0.05). CWI, SUP and ACT decreased fatigue and RPE immediately after their application (p < 0.05), while PLA kept them elevated. CWI was associated with a significant improvement in 4 × 10 m SRT performance (p = 0.027). Conclusions: Nutritional supplementation and physical recovery strategies effectively attenuated exercise-induced muscle damage and fatigue in elite basketball players. However, CWI demonstrated the most pronounced acute benefits for physical performance recovery. Full article

Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the acute effects of cold-water immersion (CWI), cryotherapy (CRT), and intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) on lower-body neuromuscular performance in female basketball players. Methods: Eighteen athletes volunteered to participate (body mass = 63.0 ± 7.2 kg; height = 171.4 ± 6.5 cm; age = 16.4 ± 1.2 years), completing testing at three time points: (i) pre-practice, (ii) post-practice, and (iii) 45–60 min following a randomly assigned recovery intervention. At each time point, athletes performed three countermovement vertical jumps on a dual force plate system sampling at 1000 Hz (VALD Performance). To standardize external load across groups, all players wore inertial measurement units (Kinexon). Results: The two-way repeated measures ANOVA showed no statistically significant interaction (p > 0.05) between the three testing time points and recovery modalities for any of the analyzed variables. However, a significant main effect of time was observed, with 13 of 20 force-time metrics (65%), including jump height, reactive strength index-modified, contraction time, and concentric peak and mean force, declining post-recovery compared with pre-practice values, regardless of the recovery intervention applied. External load measures (e.g., total distance, number of jumps) remained consistent across groups. Conclusions: Overall, these findings suggest that CWI, CRT, and IPC were no more effective than passive recovery (i.e., control group) in mitigating post-practice declines in lower-body force and power-producing capacities. Full article

Coconut palms (Cocos nucifera L.) are a critical economic and ecological resource in Wenchang City, Hainan. Accurate mapping of their spatial distribution is essential for precision agricultural planning and effective pest and disease management. However, in tropical monsoon regions, persistent cloud cover, spectral similarity with other evergreen species, and redundancy among high-dimensional features hinder the performance of optical classification. To address these challenges, we developed a scalable multi-source remote sensing framework on the Google Earth Engine (GEE) with an emphasis on species-oriented feature design rather than generic feature stacking. The framework integrates Sentinel-1 SAR, Sentinel-2 MSI, and SRTM topographic data to construct a 42-dimensional feature set encompassing spectral, polarimetric, textural, and topographic attributes. Using Random Forest (RF) importance ranking and out-of-bag (OOB) error analysis, an optimal 15-feature subset was identified. Four feature combination schemes were designed to assess the contribution of each data source. The fused dataset achieved an overall accuracy (OA) of 92.51% (Kappa = 0.8928), while the RF-OOB optimized subset maintained a comparable OA of 92.83% (Kappa = 0.8975) with a 64% reduction in dimensionality. Canopy Water Index (CWI), Green Chlorophyll Index (GCI), and VV-polarized backscattering coefficient (${\mathsf{\sigma }}_{\mathrm{V}\mathrm{V}}$) were identified as the most discriminative features. Independent UAV validation (0.07 m resolution) in a 50 km² area of Chongxing Town confirmed the model’s robustness (OA = 90.17%, Kappa = 0.8617). This study provides an efficient and robust framework for large-scale monitoring of tropical economic forests such as coconut palms. Full article

A compact fork-shaped four-element multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna system with wide bandwidth for 5G millimeter-wave (mmWave) applications is presented. The antenna elements are arranged orthogonally to achieve a compact footprint of $20\times 26{\mathrm{mm}}^2$. To enhance the gain, a frequency selective surface (FSS) is placed above the MIMO system, providing an average gain improvement of 1.5 dB across the entire operating band and achieving a peak gain of 7.5 dB at 41 GHz. The proposed design operates in the Ka-band (22–46 GHz), making it well suited for 5G communications. The antenna exhibits an isolation greater than 20 dB and radiation efficiency exceeding 80% across the band. Moreover, key MIMO performance metrics, including diversity gain (DG ≈ 10) and envelope correlation coefficient (ECC < 0.05), meet the required standards. A prototype of the proposed system was fabricated and measured, with the experimental results showing good agreement with simulations. Full article

During prolonged storage of garlic scapes (Allium sativum L.), the proliferation of microorganisms, particularly fungi, frequently results in postharvest rot, which negatively impacts both product quality and market value. Carvacrol, a promising natural food preservative, exhibits broad-spectrum bioactivity against various microorganisms. In this study, a specific pathogenic fungal strain causing postharvest rot in garlic scapes, designated as HQ, was initially isolated from symptomatic garlic scapes. Based on a combination of physiological characteristics and molecular identification techniques, the HQ strain was identified as Aspergillus niger. Our findings further demonstrated that carvacrol exhibits significant in vitro inhibitory effects against Aspergillus niger with an EC₅₀ value of 75.99 μg/L. Moreover, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations revealed that carvacrol induces irreversible morphological and structural changes in the hyphae, resulting in deformation and rupture. Additionally, integrated transcriptomic and proteomic analyses indicated that carvacrol primarily targets the cell wall integrity (CWI) signaling pathway within the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway in Aspergillus niger, thereby compromising cell membrane integrity and stability, which ultimately suppresses fungal growth and proliferation. Full article

Glaciers play a crucial role in shaping global hydrology and biogeochemical cycles, yet their climate-forced dynamic impact on chemical denudation and solute yields remain poorly understood. This study compiled data on 40 well-documented cationic denudation rates (CDR) from glaciers across Northwest America, the Svalbard/Arctic Canada, Iceland, Greenland, Europe, China-Tibet, Antarctica, and the Himalayas, revealing substantial spatial variability. CDRs ranged from 46 to 4160 meq m⁻² yr⁻¹. Northwest American and Himalayan glaciers exhibited the highest CDRs, with the Himalayan denudation rate exceeding the global average by more than fourfold. The exceptionally high mean chemical weathering intensity (CWI) of 801 meq m⁻³ from the Himalayan glaciers indicate a wide range of geochemical and climatic conditions within the region, while Northwest American and Greenland glaciers show comparatively lower mean intensities (273 and 247 meq m⁻³, respectively) suggesting a consistent geochemical regime. Northwest American glaciers had the highest specific discharge rates, while Svalbard/Arctic Canada glaciers had the lowest, reflecting regional disparities influenced by climatic and geological factors. A Bonferroni post hoc test highlighted significant differences in specific discharge between Northwest American glaciers and two other basins, emphasizing their distinct hydrological behavior. Predictive modeling revealed a statistically significant but weak relationship between CDR and specific discharge (R² = 57%), suggesting that much of the variability in CDR cannot be explained by specific discharge alone. A regression coefficient of 382 meq m⁻² yr⁻¹ indicates that CDR increases with glacier discharge, although basin-specific analyses showed minimal variation in this relationship across regions. Svalbard/Arctic Canada, Antarctic, Greenlandic, Icelandic, and European Alpine glaciers displayed lower CDRs, which varied depending on underlying lithology, with higher rates observed in carbonate and basaltic terrains compared to other lithologies. We hypothesize that glacier retreat enhances the downward progression of the weathering reaction front, increasing CDR, particularly in rapidly retreating glaciers. Full article

High hydrostatic pressure (HHP) significantly modulates microbial metabolism, while chemical epigenetic modifiers are known to reactivate silent biosynthetic gene clusters and induce novel natural products. However, the mechanisms by which these epigenetic modifiers regulate fungal responses under differential pressure conditions, and how such regulation affects natural product biosynthesis, remain completely unexplored. Here, we investigated the hadal fungus Alternaria alternata CIEL23 isolated from 7332 m sediments in the Mariana Trench under epigenetic modifier treatment with contrasting pressures (0.1 MPa vs. 40 MPa). Our results revealed that epigenetic perturbations and high pressure significantly altered fungal phenotypes, gene expression, and secondary metabolite composition. Transcriptome-level analysis of epigenetic regulatory mechanisms under epigenetic modifiers in both pressure conditions (0.1 MPa and 40 MPa) demonstrated that the addition of epigenetic modifiers regulated MAPK pathway-related gene expression in response to the environment stimuli. Under dual stress conditions, the IG, CWI, and HOG branches of the MAPK pathway showed significantly altered activity patterns. These changes were associated with differential the regulation of genes related to hyphal growth, cell wall remodeling, cell cycle progression, and osmolyte synthesis, suggesting the coordinated modulation of multiple cellular processes. These findings provide the mechanistic link between epigenetic modification induced HHP-response changes and regulation in hadal fungi. Our study not only advances understanding of hadal fungal response to dual stressors but also unlocks new possibilities for harnessing their stress-driven metabolic versatility for biotechnological applications. Full article

Objectives: This study investigated the acute effects of pre-exercise cold-water immersion (CWI) on performance, muscle oxygen saturation, and mechanical muscle tension during calf raise training. Method: Twenty-four trained individuals (5 females, 19 males) were randomly assigned to either a CWI group (5 min at 10 ± 1 °C) or a non-CWI group (no intervention). Both groups performed three sets of standing calf raises to failure using a standardized protocol. Load lifted, repetitions, and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) were recorded. Muscle oxygenation (SmO₂, total hemoglobin) and mechanical muscle properties (frequency and stiffness) were measured before and after each set. Results: The CWI group showed a significantly greater increase in barbell load from set 1 to set 2 compared to the non-CWI group (from 94.5 ± 18.1 kg to 98.0 ± 18.7 kg, p < 0.01). Repetitions decreased and RPE increased across sets in both groups. The non-CWI group exhibited earlier increases in muscle stiffness and frequency, whereas these responses were delayed in the CWI group. Gastrocnemius SmO₂ increased during the protocol in the non-CWI group only. Total hemoglobin change was greater in the CWI group in set 1. Conclusions: These findings suggest that pre-exercise CWI may acutely enhance performance and delay neuromuscular fatigue without negatively affecting perceived effort. Full article

The extraction of water surfaces and aquaculture targets from remote sensing imagery has been challenging for operations under different regions and conditions, especially since the model parameters must be optimized manually. This study addresses the requirement for large-scale monitoring of global aquaculture using the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform to extract high-accuracy, long-term data series of water surfaces such as aquaculture ponds. A Composite Water Index (CWI) method is proposed to distinguish water surfaces from non-water surfaces with remote sensing data recorded with Sentinel-2 satellite, thereby minimizing manual intervention in aquaculture management. The CWI approach is implemented based on three index algorithms of remote sensing analysis such as the Water Index (WI), the Modified Normalized Difference Water Index (MNDWI) and the Automated Water Extraction Index with Shadow (AWEIsh). The values of the three index methods are obtained from 1000 grid points extracted with an overlaid map with three layers. A ternary regression method is then introduced to generate the coefficients of CWI. Experimental results show that the classification accuracy of the WI is higher than that of the MNDWI and the AWEIsh, leading to a more significant coefficient weight in the ternary regression. When different numbers of mean distribution points are used to calculate the indices, it is found that the highest R² value can be achieved when using the coefficient value corresponding to 600 points, and an accuracy of 94% can be achieved by the CWI method for water surface classification. The CWI algorithm can also be used to monitor the change in aquaculture ponds in Johor, Malaysia; it was discovered that the total aquaculture area has expanded by 23.27 km from 2016 to 2023. This study provides a potential means for long-term observation and tracking of changes in aquaculture ponds and water surfaces, as well as water management and water protection. Specifically, the proposed Composite Water Index (CWI) model achieved a mean mIoU of 0.84 and an overall pixel accuracy (oPA) of 0.94, which significantly outperformed WI (mIoU = 0.79), MNDWI (mIoU = 0.75), and AWEIsh (mIoU = 0.77), with p-values < 0.01. These improvements demonstrate the robustness and statistical superiority of the proposed approach in aquaculture pond extraction. Full article

Cold-water immersion (CWI), as a common recovery method, has been widely used in the field of post-exercise fatigue recovery. However, there is still a lack of comprehensive and systematic scientific evaluation of the combined effects of cold-water immersion combined with other therapies (CWI + Other). The aim of this study was to compare the effects of CWI and CWI + Other in post-exercise fatigue recovery and to explore the potential benefits of CWI + Other. We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library and EBSCO databases to include 24 studies (475 subjects in total) and performed a meta-analysis using standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The results showed that both CWI + Other (SMD = −0.68, 95% CI: −1.03 to −0.33) and CWI (SMD = −0.37, 95% CI: −0.65 to −0.10) were effective in reducing delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS). In subgroup analyses of athletes, both CWI + Other (SMD = −1.13, 95% CI: −1.76 to −0.49) and CWI (SMD = −0.47, 95% CI: −0.87 to −0.08) also demonstrated significant effects. In addition, CWI + Other significantly reduced post-exercise C-reactive protein (CRP) levels (SMD = −0.62, 95% CI: −1.12 to −0.13), and CWI with water temperatures higher than 10 °C also showed a CRP-lowering effect (MD = −0.18, 95% CI: −0.30 to −0.07), suggesting a potential benefit in anti-inflammation. There were no significant differences between the two interventions in the metrics of creatine kinase (CK; CWI: SMD = −0.01, 95% CI: −0.27 to 0.24; CWI + Other: SMD = 0.26, 95% CI: −0.51 to 1.03) or countermovement jump (CMJ; CWI: SMD = 0.22, 95% CI: −0.13 to 0.57; CWI + Other: SMD = 0.07, 95% CI: −0.70 to 0.85). Full article