Search Results (127)

Accurate detection of initial contact (IC) during side-cutting is essential for evaluating m. semitendinosus (ST) pre-activity, a protective mechanism against ACL injury in team sport athletes. This study developed two insole pressure sensor (IPS) algorithms—a body weight-based and a criteria-based algorithm—for IC detection and evaluated their agreement with force-plate-derived IC based on vertical ground reaction forces (vGRF). Twenty-six adult female athletes performed sport-specific side-cutting while IPS, vGRF, and ST electromyography were recorded. IPS-derived IC events were compared with vGRF-derived IC, and ST pre-activity within 50 ms prior to IC was compared between methods. Agreement and limits of agreement (LoA) were evaluated using Bland–Altman analysis. The body weight-based IPS algorithm showed a systematic delay in IC detection of 9.2 ms (LoA: 4.1 to 14.3 ms) and a −3.5 percentage point bias in ST pre-activity (LoA: −8.9 to 1.9% of MVC). In contrast, the criteria-based IPS algorithm, demonstrated minimal bias in IC detection (−0.1 ms; LoA: −3.5 to 3.4 ms) and ST pre-activity (−0.1% MVC; LoA: −1.9 to 1.7% of MVC). These findings suggest the criteria-based IPS algorithm enables accurate IC detection, supporting its potential for practical monitoring of ST pre-activity during sports-specific side-cutting outside laboratory environments. Full article

Background: Decision-making is often a shared and collective process, facilitated by negotiation dynamics. This study adopted fNIRS hyperscanning to explore similar brain hemodynamic responses during naturalistic negotiation and decision-making interactions and the role of individual differences. Methods: Homologous dyads of speaker A and speaker B engaged in a realistic negotiation task, deciding how to handle a non-conforming team member. The task included three steps: the Individual step (Indstep), where the participants individually selected how to decide; the Cooperation step (Coopstep), involving collaborative negotiation; and the Agreement step (Agrstep), where a mutual agreement was reached. General Decision-Making Style (GDMS), Maximization Scale (MS) and Big Five Inventory (BFI-10) were also administered. Results: Higher deoxygenated hemoglobin (HHb) dissimilarity emerged when speaker B was speaking and speaker A was listening, suggesting that the members exhibited differences in the level of cognitive demand required for the conversation, or that speaker A was attempting to assert his perspective. Moreover, the avoidant decision-making style, the alternative-search tendency, and the decision-making difficulties subscales negatively correlated with HHb dissimilarity in the left hemisphere during the Agrstep, as well as the extraversion trait during the Indstep and the Coopstep, highlighting how individual differences modulate the neural mechanisms underlying negotiation. Conclusions: These findings reveal that brain patterns of neural similarity in negotiation contexts are sensitive to both conversational roles and individual decision-making profiles. Integrating a hyperscanning paradigm with psychological assessment offers interesting insights into the neurocognitive foundations of cooperation, revealing the influence of cognitive and personality traits on neural activity associated with the naturalistic negotiation process. Full article

Large language models (LLMs) offer new possibilities for natural-language interaction with geospatial analysis systems, but their use in remote sensing instrument data analysis remains limited by weak execution control, poor reproducibility, and limited integration with domain-specific computation. The paper presents an agent for Incoherent Doppler wind LiDAR (ICDL) data analysis, named ICDL-Agent, a tool-augmented LLM framework for remote sensing instrument workflows. The system maps conversational user requests to executable analysis pipelines for wind retrieval, uncertainty estimation, visualization, and higher-level diagnostics through structured planning over a registry of domain-specific tools. To improve execution reliability, the system combines schema-constrained workflow generation, shared-state reuse of intermediate scientific products, and validation with bounded repair. In addition to supporting routine LiDAR processing, the framework can generate new tools when required and adapt to related analytical tasks through domain-aware guidance and procedural documentation. We evaluate the system on multiple atmospheric wind-observation datasets in China and show that it faithfully reproduces the refined Doppler wind-retrieval pipeline, achieving representative R²/MAE values of 0.52/3.73 m/s against ERA5 and 0.80/2.31 m/s against radiosonde observations, while supporting downstream analyses such as profile comparison, climatological interpretation, and gravity-wave diagnostics. More broadly, this study demonstrates how constrained LLM orchestration can support LiDAR researchers, remote-sensing instrument teams, and geospatial analysts seeking transparent, reproducible, and automated scientific data-processing workflows. Full article

This study aimed to describe and compare warm-up (WU) demands of different protocols (with ball, without ball and pre-match) on female football players. Twenty-two players belonging to the same team were monitored throughout 12 training weeks using global navigation satellite system technology sampling at 10 Hz. The variables used were duration, total distance, distances covered within 0–45%, 45–60%, 60–85%, and 85–100% of individual maximum speed, maximum speed, maximum acceleration, maximum deceleration, number of accelerations of magnitudes between 1 and 2 m/s², 2 and 3 m/s², 3 and 4 m/s², and above 4 m/s², number of decelerations of magnitudes between −1 and −2 m/s², −2 and −3 m/s², −3 and −4 m/s², and below −4 m/s², Player Load, and TRIMP Edwards. A linear mixed model was carried out for each variable in order to analyze the differences between WU protocols. The main results were that pre-match WU showed higher values in the following variables: (1) duration; (2) distances covered within 60–85% and 85–100% of individual maximum speed; (3) maximum speed, acceleration and deceleration; (4) number of accelerations of magnitudes between 2 and 3 m/s² and between 3 and 4 m/s², and more decelerations of magnitudes between −2 and −3 m/s², −3 and −4 m/s² and below −4 m/s²; and, (5) TRIMP Edwards. These findings underscore the importance of WU design in preparing female football players for high-intensity match demands and contribute to the development of specific WU strategies for them. Full article

Aortic stenosis (AS) and mitral stenosis (MS) are progressive valvular heart diseases associated with substantial morbidity and mortality once symptoms develop. Over the past decade, the management of isolated AS has undergone profound evolution, driven by refinements in surgical aortic valve replacement, the adoption of minimally invasive techniques, and the rapid expansion of transcatheter aortic valve replacement across all surgical risk categories. In contrast, patients with concomitant AS and MS represent a complex and understudied population, frequently excluded from randomized trials and only marginally addressed in contemporary clinical practice guidelines. The management requires individualized guideline-directed decision-making led by a multidisciplinary Heart Team. The paucity of high-quality data in combined AS–MS underscores the need for dedicated prospective studies and international registries. The aim of this narrative review is to describe current strategies to treat AS both when isolated and concomitant with MS. We also discuss the need for updated, specific guidelines. Full article

The Fifth Industrial Revolution (Industry 5.0) foregrounds human–machine collaboration, sustainability, and resilience as organizing principles for next-generation cyber-physical systems. Yet the identity and access management (IAM) architectures inherited from Industry 4.0 remain perimeter-centric, policy-static, and blind to the behavioral dynamics of human–AI teaming. This paper introduces the Human-Centric Zero Trust Identity Architecture (HC-ZTIA), a novel framework that repositions identity as the adaptive control plane for Industry 5.0 environments. HC-ZTIA integrates three mutually reinforcing innovations: (1) a Joint Embedding Predictive Architecture (JEPA)-driven Behavioral Identity Assurance Engine (BIAE) that learns abstract world models of operator and machine-agent behavior to perform continuous, context-aware identity verification without relying on raw biometric surveillance; (2) a Privacy-Preserving Adaptive Authorization Protocol (PP-AAP) employing zero-knowledge proofs and federated policy evaluation to enforce least-privilege access across human, non-human, and hybrid identity classes while satisfying data-minimization mandates; and (3) a Resilience-Oriented Trust Degradation Model (RO-TDM) that provides formally verified fail-safe identity governance under adversarial, degraded, or disconnected operating conditions characteristic of operational technology (OT) and critical infrastructure. The framework is grounded in the Agile-Infused Design Science Research Methodology (A-DSRM) and formally extends National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) SP 800-207 and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Zero Trust Maturity Model by addressing five identified gaps in human-centric identity governance. Simulation results, validated through Monte Carlo trials with 95% confidence intervals, provide preliminary evidence that HC-ZTIA reduces identity-related breach exposure by 73.2% (±4.1%) while maintaining sub-200 ms authorization latency under the simulated conditions, offering a principled bridge between Zero Trust rigor and Industry 5.0 human-centricity. Full article

Background: Sensor-based systems and virtual reality (VR) technologies provide new opportunities for the objective, technology-driven assessment and training of visuomotor performance in applied contexts such as sport. Methods: This study examined the effects of an integrated visual training program combining stroboscopic stimulation, VR-based vergence exercises, and instrumented reaction-light tasks in adolescent handball players. Twenty-eight adolescent handball players (under-18 competitive level) completed two baseline assessments separated by six weeks, followed by a six-session training program (approximately 15 min per session) integrated into regular team practice. The intervention targeted visuomotor reaction speed, accommodative dynamics, and peripheral visual responsiveness using sensor-based and virtual reality–assisted stimuli. Results: Compared with both baseline measurements, the intervention produced selective improvements in accommodative facility (cycles per minute, cpm)—particularly near–far focusing speed—and in multiple reaction-time conditions (milliseconds, ms) involving manual and decision-based responses. Specific peripheral-field locations showed increased response scores, whereas binocular alignment, AC/A ratio, near phoria, and stereoscopic acuity remained unchanged. Conclusions: These findings indicate that technology-supported visual training protocols incorporating sensor-based reaction systems and VR stimuli were associated with measurable adaptations in dynamic visuomotor processing while preserving fundamental binocular vision parameters. Full article

Background/Objectives: The aim of this study was to describe seasonal trends in match-average External Load (EL) variables across three (2022/23, 2023/24, 2024/25) consecutive competitive seasons in a Hungarian professional second-division soccer team (Gyirmót FC Győr), using the Catapult Vector S7 Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). Specifically, Average Distance (AD; m), Average Player Load^TM (PL; AU), and Acceleration–Deceleration Efforts (>2 m·s⁻²) (ADE) were examined. The study aimed to provide descriptive reference values and characterize seasonal variation in match EL demands within a professional second-division context. Methods: A descriptive seasonal comparison was conducted based exclusively on aggregated match average EL values. The unit of analysis was the match, with each match contributing one aggregated value per variable derived from players who completed the full match. A total of 94 matches were included (2022/23: N = 38; 2023/24: N = 29; 2024/25: N = 27); matches with red cards were excluded. EL data were collected using a 10 Hz Catapult Vector S7 GNSS. Results: The median AD decreased continuously from the 2022/23 season (10.210 m) to the 2024/25 season (9.795 m). The median PL decreased from 1002 (2022/23 and 2023/24) to 846 in the 2024/25 season. The median ADE decreased from 220.8 (2022/23) to 199.0 (2024/25). Conclusions: Lower values were observed across match EL variables, with the most pronounced reduction in PL. These findings provide descriptive reference values and may support the interpretation of seasonal variation in match EL demands in professional second-division soccer. Full article

Change-of-direction (COD) ability is a key determinant of performance in youth basketball, yet the relative contribution of braking, re-acceleration, trunk motion, and body composition remains unclear. Thirty-two male U18 national-team level players (17.6 ± 0.7 y; 194.8 ± 4.5 cm; 89.1 ± 9.4 kg) completed whole-body and segmental DEXA assessment, bilateral countermovement jump (CMJ) testing and a 505 agility test (505) instrumented with a local positioning system. Mean COD times were 2.36 ± 0.09 s (505) and 1.84 ± 0.08 s (303), with maximal deceleration (DcMax) of −7.26 ± 0.52 m·s⁻². Paired t-tests showed no significant differences between right- and left-leg turns for any variable (all p > 0.25), indicating symmetrical COD performance. General linear models revealed that DcMax was the only consistent predictor of COD time (505: R² = 0.53, F (7,24) = 3.91, p = 0.006, partial η² = 0.31; 303: R² = 0.49, F(9,22) = 2.34, p = 0.050, partial η² = 0.34), with a smaller additional effect of approach speed for the 303 segment (p = 0.049). Body-composition indices and CMJ variables showed only weak, non-significant correlations with COD time (|r| < 0.30, p > 0.05), and neither centripetal force nor trunk angular speed was associated with performance. These findings indicate that high-intensity braking capacity, rather than muscle mass or jump power per se, is the primary mechanical determinant of COD in elite youth basketball, suggesting that deceleration-focused training should be prioritized in performance development. Full article

Backround and Objectives: Basketball performance is shaped by repeated high-intensity actions interspersed with brief recovery. Conventional continuous or strictly incremental testing may not fully capture short active-recovery dynamics relevant to stop-and-go sports. Material and Methods: This study applied a VT₂-referenced progressive–intermittent treadmill protocol and focused on 60-s active-recovery kinetics to describe effort tolerance in an applied basketball setting. Basketball players from Mureș County completed anthropometry (24 h pre-test, fasted) and a single laboratory visit. Pre-test training and diet were standardized for 48 h (submaximal training; predominantly carbohydrate intake). CPET was performed in 3-min stages (6.5 km·h⁻¹ start; +0.7 km·h⁻¹ per stage) and stopped at RER = 1.00 and/or blood lactate = 4.0 mmol·L⁻¹ (operational VT2). After 3 min active recovery, participants completed six 60-s high-speed bouts separated by 60-s active recovery intervals (AR1–AR6), with intensities prescribed at 120–180% of VT2-derived speed, followed by an 8-min active recovery. For each AR interval, linear regression over 0–60 s yielded slopes for VO₂, VO₂/HR, VCO₂, V̇E, VE/VO₂, VE/VCO₂, and PetCO₂. Results: VT₁ was determined at 2.29 m·s⁻¹ (VO₂ 32 mL·min⁻¹·kg⁻¹) and VT2 at 3.07 m·s⁻¹ (VO₂ 42 mL·min⁻¹·kg⁻¹). Maximal intermittent speed was 5.33 m·s⁻¹ (VO₂ 45.5 mL·min⁻¹·kg⁻¹; RER 1.06; PetCO₂ 38 mmHg). VO₂ differed across successive bouts (p = 0.0001), while PetCO₂ showed a small downward drift across repetitions. Peak indices (max speed, VE/VCO₂max, PetCO₂max, VEmax) were associated with phase-specific recovery slopes across early, mid, and late recovery periods (false discovery rate–adjusted correlations). Lactate decreased over 8 min, but lactate change rates were not associated with peak indices. Conclusions: The VT₂-referenced progressive–intermittent protocol appears feasible in basketball players and provides phase-dependent recovery information that complements conventional peak CPET outcomes, with potential relevance for applied team settings. Full article

Load monitoring is essential in football to optimise training prescription and reduce injury risk, yet the internal and external demands of common possession drills such as rondos remain insufficiently described. Rondo formats are widely used across levels, but changes in player configuration may substantially alter their load profile. This study examined how three rondo configurations (5vs2, 6vs2 and 8vs2) affect internal load (RPE) and external load (GPS-derived metrics) in semi-professional football players. Twenty-one Spanish players (mean age = 28.9 years) from the same team participated in the study. All players completed three rondo formats (5vs2, 6vs2 and 8vs2) across four separate weeks. Each format consisted of three 3-min bouts with 1 min of recovery, and players were restricted to one touch. Internal load was assessed using players’ rating of perceived exertion (RPE), while external load was measured using a global positioning system (GPS). The results showed a significantly higher perceived exertion in the 5vs2 rondo compared with the other formats (p < 0.001). Regarding external load, significantly greater values (p < 0.001) were observed in the 6vs2 rondo for distance covered at 12.1–18.0 km·h⁻¹ (DZ2) and 18.1–21.0 km·h⁻¹ (DZ3) compared with the other rondo formats. In contrast, 6vs2 also elicited a significantly lower number of accelerations above 3 m·s⁻² and decelerations below −3 m·s⁻² than the other formats (p < 0.001; p < 0.006). Finally, 5vs2 produced significantly higher maximum speed than 8vs2 (p = 0.016). In conclusion, the 6vs2 rondo may be the most suitable option to target DZ2 and DZ3 compared with 5vs2 and 8vs2. Conversely, 5vs2 induced the greatest acceleration and deceleration demands, followed by 8vs2. Therefore, coaches can select the rondo format according to the desired external load requirements. Full article

The aim of the present study was to examine the potential effects of circadian rhythmicity on specific external load metrics in professional male soccer players. Twenty players, members of a Greek Super League team, participated in the study. Data were collected from twenty match-day-minus-one (MD-1) training sessions, performed either in the morning (10:30 h, n = 10) or afternoon (15:00 h, n = 10). All sessions followed identical structure, volume, and intensity, ensuring internal validity. The external load metrics examined were total distance (TD), high-speed running (HSR; >19.8 km/h), high-intensity-acceleration count (HIACC; >3 m/s²), high-intensity-deceleration count (HIDEC; <−3 m/s²), and sprint distance (SD; >25.2 km/h). Statistical analysis was conducted using paired t-tests with Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons (α = 0.01). Our results revealed significantly higher TD, HSR, HIACC, and HIDEC values (p < 0.01) during morning sessions compared to afternoon, suggesting a diurnal pattern favoring morning performance. No significant difference was found for SD (p > 0.01) despite the observed tendency for higher morning-values. These findings support the notion that time of day influences training output and that habitual morning training may lead to improved physical performance due to training-induced adaptations. Since in elite soccer even minor changes in performance could be decisive for the outcome of a competition, accounting for circadian factors in training planning could be crucial for competition performance. Full article

Ergonomic load in human–autonomy teams is commonly treated as a static score or a post-hoc audit, even though modern sensing and communication enable real-time regulation of operator effort. We model ergonomic load as a dissipative dynamical state inferred online from multimodal effort proxies and task context, and couple it to autonomy through load-dependent gain moderation and compliance shaping. The method is evaluated on public human–swarm and human–robot interaction traces together with effort-proximal wearable and myographic datasets using a unified, windowed pipeline and controlled stress tests that emulate latency, downsampling, packet loss, and channel dropouts. On a large human–swarm benchmark, the estimator achieves strong discrimination and calibration for rare high-load events (up to AUROC $0.87$, AUPRC $0.41$, ECE $0.031$ at $q=0.90$) and degrades predictably under delay, with a knee around 300–$400\mathrm{ms}$ (AUROC $0.87\to 0.80$, ECE $0.031\to 0.061$ at $500\mathrm{ms}$). Embedding the estimate in the adaptation schedule reduces overload incidence and oscillatory redistribution while preserving coordination proxies in surrogate closed-loop simulation: overload time drops from $7.8\%$ to $4.1\%$ (relative reduction $\approx 47\%$) with throughput maintained near baseline ($1.00\to 0.97$) and oscillation power reduced ($0.26\to 0.14$) under nominal timing. These results provide a reproducible pathway for making ergonomics a control-relevant feedback signal, together with explicit operational constraints on estimator calibration (target ECE $\le 0.05$) and end-to-end latency (effective $\tau \le 300\mathrm{ms}$) required to avoid regime switching and maintain stable, interpretable adaptation. Full article

Human remains detection (HRD) canines are a class of odor detection canines trained with training aids representative of distinctive stages of putrefaction. This is necessary for canines to detect the whole spectrum of decomposition products, which is encountered in operational deployments. Understanding the definition of the cadaveric profile can help better train canine detection teams and assist with technological developments. This study aimed to (1) monitor chemical odor profiles utilizing two containment vessels, and (2) monitor two preservation methods on chemical odor profile changes as a function of freezing to thawing cycles. Instrumental analysis used solid phase microextraction- gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (SPME-GC/MS) for identification of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from tissue/bone samples of pig carcasses at various decomposition stages. Samples were analyzed weekly for six (6) weeks to monitor chemical odor profiles as a function of time. Clear vials provided slightly better storage stability for the fresh stage compared to amber vials. However, amber vials were more suitable for the advanced decay and skeletal stages, helping to preserve the chemical odor profile. Regarding the preservation methods, a continuous preservation method portrayed better reproducibility of the original odor profile throughout the 6-week period, as depicted from higher Spearman correlation values. This study is the first to explore simulated training aids under freezing conditions, uncovering the dynamic and complex nature of odor over time. The results highlight that understanding these shifting odor profiles is essential for canine handlers aiming to optimize the realism and effectiveness of maintenance training. Full article

This study compared force plate-derived lower-limb strength and power metrics between selected and non-selected female basketball players for major international competitions. Thirty-two female players attending the final national team camps for the 2022 World Cup and the 2024 Olympic Games completed isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) and countermovement jump (CMJ) testing on dual force plates (1000 Hz). IMTP peak force, rate of force development (RFD) over 0–200 and 0–250 ms, CMJ height, and phase-specific kinetic variables were compared between roster (n = 14) and non-roster (n = 18) players. Eleven roster players had previous World Cup/Olympic experience (1.5 ± 1.2 selections across all 14 players), whereas non-roster players had none. The roster group was older than the non-roster group (26.8 ± 4.2 vs. 22.3 ± 3.1 years, p = 0.002); therefore, between-group comparisons were adjusted for age and playing position using analyses of covariance (ANCOVAs). After adjustment, no between-group differences were observed in IMTP- or CMJ-derived performance outcomes (all p ≥ 0.12; partial η² = 0.00–0.09). Therefore, in this elite cohort, roster status did not reflect force plate metrics but may reflect factors beyond these tests, including age and prior international experience. Full article