Search Results (134)

Climbing demands exceptional isometric finger flexor strength and neuromuscular efficiency. This study aimed to compare maximum isometric strength and muscle quality (MQ) between climbers and non-climbers and examine the influence of sex and specific grip types. Methods: 33 climbers (14 women) and 29 non-climbers (15 women) volunteered in this study. Maximum isometric strength was measured for handgrip, three-finger drag, and half-crimp grips, while forearm muscle mass was estimated using DXA. MQ was calculated as the ratio of peak isometric force to forearm muscle mass. Results: Climbers demonstrated significantly higher isometric strength in both the three-finger drag and half-crimp grips compared to non-climbers (p < 0.01); however, non-significant differences were observed in handgrip strength. Despite similar forearm muscle mass, climbers exhibited greater MQ. Notably, female non-climbers showed higher MQ than their male counterparts (p < 0.05), a sex difference that was not evident among climbers. All tests exhibited high repeatability (ICC > 0.93, CV < 5.81%) with low SEM and MDC95 values. Conclusions: The findings underscore the necessity of employing climbing-specific strength assessments to capture the unique neuromuscular adaptations induced by climbing training. Muscle quality emerges as a sex-neutral biomarker for strength performance evaluation, with potential applications in the optimization of training programs. Future research should further explore the predictive value of MQ and strive for standardized testing protocols. Full article

Background: Gloriosa superba L., commonly known as Glory Lily, is a medicinally valuable perennial climber native to tropical and subtropical regions of India. It is known for its rich alkaloid content, including colchicine and colchicoside, which contribute to its therapeutic potential in treating various ailments. Despite its pharmacological significance, genomic research on G. superba remains limited due to the lack of genetic markers, hindering molecular studies and breeding advancements. Methods: This study utilized a previously reported de novo transcriptome assembly of G. superba, identifying 14,672 EST-SSRs as genomic markers to assess genetic variations across different accessions. Genetic diversity was examined using SSR markers, while 20 morphological traits were systematically evaluated across 19 G. superba accessions from diverse geographic regions to provide insights into trait variability. Results: The most highly variable traits included plant height, number of leaves per plant, number of branches per plant, fresh pod yield, fresh seed yield, dry seed yield, number of pods per plant, leaf width, and internodal length, with coefficients of variation (CV) ranging from 63.53% to 22.45%. Intermediate CV values (10.05% to 18.75%) were observed in eight traits, while three traits (days to flowering, days to 50% flowering, and colchicine content) had low variation (<5%). Principal component analysis (PCA) accounted for 51.3% of phenotypic variation, with PC1 and PC2 contributing 29.4% and 21.9%, respectively. Clustering analysis grouped the 19 G. superba accessions into two main clusters and four sub-clusters, highlighting significant genetic divergence, with the highest dissimilarity (81.45%) observed between accessions from Arrupukottai and Pachmarhi. SSR analysis using 112 markers revealed high polymorphism but a relatively low heterozygosity index (H = 0.277) and PIC values of individual SSRs ranged from 0.26069 in RGM-51635 to 0.4534 in RGM-24219. Conclusions: The genetic divergence observed among the collected G. superba ecotypes provides valuable insights for future breeding programs aimed at enhancing cultivation efficiency and developing superior varieties with improved yield and colchicine content. Full article

Ochradenus baccatus Delile (Resedaceae) is a widely distributed desert shrub known for its remarkable growth form plasticity, growing either independently or as a facultative climber on other vegetation. Despite its ecological adaptability, the drivers underlying its dual growth strategy remain poorly understood in arid ecosystems. This study aimed to investigate the growth form plasticity of O. baccatus across diverse ecological gradients in Saudi Arabia and identify key environmental and floristic factors influencing its climbing and independent forms. Field surveys were conducted from 2020 to 2024 across 103 sites, using stratified random sampling. At each site, vegetation data were collected using 50 × 50 m quadrats, and species composition, life form percentage, and O. baccatus behavior were recorded. Results revealed clear ecological separation between behaviors. Climbing individuals were associated with higher elevations, greater tree and shrub cover, and moderate soil fertility, while independent individuals were broadly distributed in herbaceous and open habitats. Diversity indices (Shannon, Simpson, evenness) increased with altitude, particularly in climbing habitats. PERMANOVA confirmed significant differences in species composition between behaviors (p = 0.0001), and SIMPER analysis identified species like Haloxylon salicornicum and Zygophyllum album as key contributors in climbing habitats. Indicator species analysis revealed behavior-specific taxa, while CCA demonstrated that rainfall, soil moisture, and temperature were the strongest environmental predictors of growth behavior. This study highlights the ecological flexibility of O. baccatus and the role of environmental filtering and plant community structure in shaping its growth strategy. These results have implications for the growth form plasticity of desert plants and can be applied to vegetation management and restoration in arid ecosystems. Full article

Habitat degradation poses a critical threat to the Malabar slender loris (Loris lydekkerianus malabaricus), yet little is known about its microhabitat requirements in intact forest. In Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary, we combined nocturnal trail surveys (337 loris sightings) with plotless sampling of 2830 trees (86 species from 35 families) to characterize both vegetation structure and loris presence. Our results show that lorises occur almost exclusively in mildly degraded wet evergreen and secondary moist deciduous subcanopies, where understory trees and climber networks provide continuous pathways. Individuals are most often encountered at heights of 5–15 m—ascending into higher strata as the night progresses—reflecting a balance between foraging access and predator avoidance. Substrate analysis revealed strong preferences for twigs ≤ 1 cm (36.98%) and small branches 2–5 cm in diameter, oriented obliquely to minimize energetic costs and maintain stability during slow, deliberate arboreal locomotion. Day-sleeping sites were overwhelmingly located within dense tangles of lianas on large-girth trees, where intertwined stems and thorny undergrowth offer concealment from both mammalian and avian predators. Vegetation surveys documented a near-equal mix of evergreen (50.6%) and deciduous (49.4%) species—including 26 endemics (18 restricted to the Western Ghats)—with Aporosa cardiosperma emerging as the most abundant riparian pioneer, suggesting both ecological resilience and potential simplification in fragmented patches. Complementing field observations, our recent habitat-suitability modeling in Aralam indicates that broad-scale climatic and anthropogenic factors—precipitation patterns, elevation, and proximity to roads—are the strongest predictors of loris occupancy, underscoring the interplay between landscape-level processes and microhabitat structure. Together, these findings highlight the imperative of multi-strata forest restoration—planting insect-hosting native trees, maintaining continuous canopy and climber networks, and integrating small “mini-forest” modules—to recreate the structural complexity vital for slender loris conservation and the broader resilience of Western Ghats biodiversity. Full article

This research investigates the play behaviour and activity patterns in terms of movement and the amount of time spent on various play equipment across five diverse playgrounds in Budapest in different contexts: Citypark Playground, Normafa Playground, Péter Zöld Playground, Benczúr Playground, and Gellérthegy Slide Playground. Employing observational methods, we recorded data on movement/activity types, time allocation, and equipment usage among different play equipment to evaluate how children interact with these various play structures and the average time spent on each. Across these playgrounds, we conducted an analysis of over 400 individual interactions and behaviours among children aged between 1 and 14 years old. Activities were categorised into primary movements, including climbing, sliding, swinging, and balancing, and secondary movements, encompassing actions such as jumping, sitting, bending, hanging, crawling, and others. On average, children spent between 5 and 10 min on popular equipment like ziplines and carousels, while static structures, such as wooden piles and bridge climbers, showed consistent but less dynamic usage. Key findings revealed that complex play designs and dynamic structures attracted the highest levels of engagement, encouraging a broader range of movement types. For example, ziplines and complex equipment accounted for 27% of total observed activity, emphasising their role in promoting physical activity and excitement. Time spent on different equipment types varied significantly across these playgrounds, influenced by design complexity, spatial density, and environmental factors. These insights emphasise the importance of well-considered playground design in fostering physical activity, creativity, and social interaction among children. The study’s implications extend to urban planners, architects, designers, and decision-makers, offering recommendations for creating more inclusive, engaging, and developmentally appropriate play spaces that foster a diverse range of abilities and preferences. Full article

Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the effect a mountain expedition (>3000 m) would have on the physical performance and nutritional indices of alpinists’ health status. Methods: The study included 17 men aged 30.29 ± 5.8 years participating in mountain expeditions to peaks of 5000–8000 m, lasting an average of 34 ± 6 days. The following were assessed: aerobic and anaerobic capacity, body composition and the values of selected biochemical and hematological indices of blood and urine before and after returning from the expeditions and a quantitative analysis of the alpinists’ diet. Results: There was a statistically significant decrease (p ≤ 0.05) in aerobic capacity, anaerobic capacity, subjects’ body mass, muscle mass and the lean body mass of the upper and lower extremities. There was a significant increase (p ≤ 0.05) in erythrocytes, hemoglobin, hematocrit, leukocytes, platelets, neutrophils, monocytes and a significant decrease (p ≤ 0.05) in total and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total bilirubin, albumin and total protein. A small percentage of the subjects met the requirements for iron (29.41%), folate (35.29%) and vitamin D (17.65%) supply with diet, as reflected in the blood test results. Conclusions: Despite the observed positive effect of three-week hypoxic exposure on the climbers’ health, the deterioration of aerobic and anaerobic capacity was shown, which, in addition to environmental conditions and systemic inflammation, may have been influenced by adverse changes in body composition. To improve the nutritional status of the body during the expedition and upon return, alpinists should consider including the necessary supplementation of deficient components. Full article

This paper proposes a mathematical model-based analytical approach to address the cutting force prediction and performance optimization challenges in planing-type anti-climbers for high-speed train passive safety systems. The method overcomes the reliance on experimental calibration inherent to conventional approaches, enabling the efficient quantitative evaluation of anti-climber cutting performance. By equivalently modeling the collision energy dissipation process as an orthogonal cutting model, a theoretical framework integrating material dynamic response characteristics and impact boundary conditions was developed for direct cutting force prediction without experimental calibration. Finite element modeling implemented on the ABAQUS platform was employed for simulation analysis, supplemented by dynamic impact tests for validation. The results demonstrate that the model achieves ≤15% relative error compared with the simulation data and ≤5% deviation from the experimental measurements, confirming its engineering applicability. Sensitivity analysis reveals that cutting depth exhibits the most pronounced positive correlation with cutting force, while increased tool rake angle reduces cutting force. The dynamic equilibrium between thermal softening effects and strain rate strengthening leads to cutting force reduction with elevated cutting speed. This research establishes theoretical and technical foundations for the intelligent optimization of passive safety systems in rail transit equipment. Full article

The development of carbon sequestration projects in plantation forests has the potential to offer win–win outcomes for the environment and economy. The Climate, Community, and Biodiversity (CCB) Standards ensure that a particular forest project will deliver tangible climate, community, and biodiversity benefits. According to the CCB Standards, it is necessary to assess community diversity in plantation forests. Our study provides indicators of community diversity based on Forest Integrity Assessment (FIA) according to the CCB Standards for carbon sequestration projects in Tianshui City, Gansu Province, China, which is located in the western Qinba Mountains. Herein, we estimated plantation forest conditions based on a forest condition assessment. Linear regression models were used to explore the relationships between FIA scores and community diversity (such as species richness, Shannon–Wiener index, inverse Simpson’s index, and Pielou’s evenness index quantified by species abundance) in plantation forests managed under carbon sequestration projects. The high community diversity reaches the CCB Standards. FIA scores were closely associated with Pielou’s evenness index of plant communities in plantation forests managed under carbon sequestration projects (R² = 0.104; mean square error = 0.014; standard error = 0.104; p = 0.012). A complex topography had positive effects on species richness, while a rich standing condition had negative effects on the Shannon–Wiener index. Forest conditions have been used as indicators of community diversity in plantation forests managed under carbon sequestration projects. The occurrence of climber and animal species should be used as indicators for enhancing community diversity to meet the CCB Standards. Furthermore, plant species richness benefits from a complex topography. However, our study had the limitation that the FIA could not cover the full range of environmental conditions. Our study provides a practical reference for applying the CCB Standards to plantation forests managed under carbon sequestration projects. Full article

Urban greenery is a key component of green infrastructure, contributing to environmental sustainability and urban well-being. Between 2019 and 2020, a comprehensive inventory of ornamental flora was conducted in Assemini (Sardinia, Italy), documenting 198 vascular plant taxa, including 155 exotic, 41 native, and 2 cryptogenic species from 65 families. Among the exotic species, most were neophytes (63%), and 14% were archaeophytes. In terms of life forms, scapose phanerophytes, with a tree-like growth habit, dominated (45%), while Mediterranean and American chorotypes were the most represented, each accounting for 21%. A total of 7356 plants were recorded, comprising trees (61.3%), shrubs (32.3%), and climbers (5.7%), belonging to 90 shrub, 89 tree, and 19 climber taxa. The highest number of plants was found in “Green Areas” and “Schools”, which also exhibited the greatest biodiversity, with 136 different taxa each. The most planted species were Quercus ilex, Nerium oleander, and Olea europaea. The survey also identified 21 allergenic, 36 toxic, and 35 mechanically harmful species, primarily located in “Green Areas” and “Schools”. Biodiversity analysis using the Shannon Index revealed significant diversity, with Fabaceae, Apocynaceae, and Fagaceae emerging as the most represented families. These findings highlight the importance of plant inventories in urban green space management for sustainable planning. Well-maintained green spaces can enhance ecological resilience, improve public health, and promote social cohesion in future urban developments. Full article

Medicinal plants are well-known for synthesizing a wide range of bioactive compounds used mainly in the pharmaceutical, food and cosmetic industries. The therapeutic use of Passiflora species in Europe began in the 17th century, but few studies have been carried out on Passiflora caerulea L. This is a versatile plant, an herbaceous climber, belonging to the Passifloraceae family. In the past, P. caerulea L. has been mainly used as a sedative agent, but in recent years, scientific studies have focused on exploring its functionality and pharmacological use. Phytochemical analysis has revealed several classes of phytochemical components, some of which have promising biological potential. Recent studies have confirmed the therapeutic potential of P. caerulea by demonstrating its in vivo anxiolytic and antistress effects as well as antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticonvulsant, analgesic and gastroprotective activities. While these findings have been encouraging, there has been limited research conducted on the on the phytochemical profiling, biosafety and molecular mechanisms of the biological activity of extracts from Passiflora caerulea L. This review aims to summarize and analyze the recent scientific data on biological activities of Passiflora caerulea, including phytochemical profiling, mechanisms of action of individual compounds and potential therapeutic applications. Full article

Background/Objectives: Rock climbing is a multifaceted athletic activity that requires both psychological and physiological resilience. This study aimed to examine the differences in psychological factors and fatigue predictors between novice and advanced climbers, with a focus on the interplay between experience and performance. Methods: The study included 60 participants categorized based on climbing experience (novice or advanced). Psychological and physiological assessments were conducted, including heart rate variability (HRV), grip strength, rate of force development (RFD), subjective perceived stress (SPS), and anxiety levels using validated questionnaires. Results: Advanced climbers exhibited lower anxiety levels and better sympathetic modulation compared to novices. Significant differences in HRV parameters, grip strength, and RFD were observed, reflecting the impact of experience on physiological responses. Advanced climbers demonstrated notable strength decreases post-climbing, supporting the utility of a force sensor on a 20 mm edge for assessing forearm fatigue. Correlations between cortisol levels, anxiety, and self-confidence during climbing were also identified. Conclusions: The findings highlight the importance of psychological and physiological factors in climbing performance. Forearm fatigue emerged as a critical predictor, suggesting that portable force sensors can optimize training and injury prevention. Insights from this study may enhance training protocols and improve real-time performance monitoring in climbers. Full article

Fires play a significant role in shaping the Miombo woodlands. Understanding how fire affects the Miombo region’s resilience is crucial for ensuring its sustainability. This study evaluated plant composition and structure across different fire frequencies in the Miombo woodlands of the LevasFlor Forest Concession (LFC), central Mozambique. Fire frequency clusters-high (HFF), moderate (MFF), and low (LFF)-were identified using a 21-year remote-sensing dataset. In each cluster, 90 random sampling plots were established (30 per cluster). In each plot, the diameter at breast height (DBH) and total height of the saplings and trees were measured. Subplots were used to count and identify seedlings, herbs, climbers, and grasses. Plant species richness, evenness,—diversity, the importance value index (IVI), and similarity were computed to assess plant composition. For the structure, stem density, biomass, basal area, diameter, and height were assessed. A total of 124 plant species-including trees, saplings, seedlings, herbs, climbers, and grasses-were identified across the three clusters. The Bray-Curtis Dissimilarity Index, tested with an ANOSIM similarity test, revealed significant differences in plant species composition among clusters (p < 0.0003), with an overall average dissimilarity of 71.98%. In the HFF cluster, fire-tolerant species were among the five species with the highest IVI, while fire-sensitive species predominated in the LFF. Additionally, the Kruskal-Wallis test indicated significant differences in seedling stem density (p < 0.005) between the LFF and other clusters. However, overall, the composition and structure attributes suggested that current fire regime does not significantly compromise the plant species resilience of the Miombo woodlands in the LFC. Still, it is essential to concentrate management and conservation efforts on seedlings of some key Miombo species, such as Brachystegia spiciformis, whose ecology is particularly affected by fire. Full article

Urban biodiversity is crucial for ecological security, balance, and important for fostering awareness on human-nature interconnectedness among the public. The diversity of birds, as an urban ecosystem indicator, reflects ecosystem services and is impacted by urban development. To explore the impacts of urbanization on bird diversity, stratified to songbirds, terrestrial birds, climbers, swimming birds, wading birds, and raptors, we specifically investigated the existing and potential distributions of selected bird species, analyzed different contributions of environmental factors, and compared these with urban biodiversity conservation policies. We used bird records from the China Birdwatching Record Center (over 1400 species of birds for querying) and remotely-sensed landcover data, based on the MaxEnt model, to analyze bird spatial distribution characteristics and potential habitat corridors throughout Beijing. The results showed that: (1) Songbirds and terrestrial birds were predominantly concentrated in water areas in urban areas. Wading birds, climbers, swimming birds, and raptors were gathered in forest-covered areas, near wetlands and farmland in suburban areas. Projections indicated that the raptor species Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) showed a notable shift toward urban cores. (2) Among climbers, Gray-headed Pygmy Woodpecker (Dendrocopos canicapillus) occupied the highest proportion of high-quality habitats (10.34%), contrasting with the representative songbird species Blackbird (Turdus merula) at 1.38%, which demonstrated adaptability to urban environments. Critical habitats were concentrated in shrub forests, supporting habitat connectivity. Proximity to water bodies was critical for raptors, wading, swimming, and climbers, whereas terrestrial birds and songbirds were more affected by artificial lighting. (3) The “urban and suburban park rings” policy has effectively enhanced habitat quality and connectivity, promoting urban biodiversity resilience. This study improves our understanding of how different bird communities adapt to urbanization in terms of habitats and movement corridors, and provides useful information for formulating urban bird biodiversity conservation strategies. Full article

Background and Objectives: Sport climbing’s popularity has grown with its inclusion in the Olympics and increased accessibility. Understanding the relationship between hand dominance, grip strength, endurance, and the involvement of masticatory and neck muscles can provide valuable insights into the neuromuscular adaptations specific to sport climbing, potentially aiding performance optimization and injury prevention in intermediate and advanced climbers. This study analyzes if the dominant hand has greater isometric endurance and isometric manual grip strength parameters than the non-dominant one and examines its relation to the masticatory and neck muscles in intermediate and advanced sport climbers. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 41 participants who were divided into two groups according to the IRCRA classification. A level 2 (Lv2) group consisting of 18 climbers and a level 3 (Lv3) group consisting of 23 climbers were identified. First, isometric manual grip strength and isometric endurance were measured using a dynamometer following the protocol of the first three and the last three repetitions (PC3) and the first six and the last six repetitions (PC6). Next, masticatory and neck muscle activity was assessed using surface electromyography, following the same protocol. Results: Greater activity of the temporalis muscle was observed on the non-dominant side in the advanced climber’s group (p = 0.045). The decrease in bioelectric activity was lower on the dominant side in group Lv3 compared to Lv2. In intermediate climbers, the bioelectrical activity of the masseter muscles in PC3 was greater on the non-dominant side, and in PC6, was greater on the dominant side. The digastric muscles showed a greater decrease in isometric endurance on the non-dominant side. Conclusions: Advanced climbers demonstrated greater isometric endurance and isometric manual grip strength parameters in both dominant and non-dominant hands compared to intermediate climbers. The masticatory muscles exhibited higher electromyographic activity on the non-dominant side in the masseter muscles and higher electromyographic activity on the dominant side in the temporalis muscles and digastric muscles. Full article

In order to ensure the safety of maintenance personnel during tower climbing and improve the efficiency of power maintenance work, this study designed an assistive hip joint exoskeleton robot and analyzed the kinematic data obtained from tower climbers during the climbing process. A neural-network-based assistive control algorithm for tower climbing was created, and a tower climbing experiment was conducted with volunteers. The surface electromyographic (sEMG) signals of four muscles, namely the biceps femoris (BF), gluteus maximus (GM), semimembranosus (SM), and semitendinosus (ST), were collected to evaluate the performance of the robot. The experimental results show that the exoskeleton robot could reduce the root mean square (RMS) values of the sEMG signals of the main force-generating muscles related to the hip joint. This suggests that the robot can effectively assist personnel in tower climbing operations. Full article