Search Results (1,973)

Purpose: Despite significant attention being paid to compression garments (CG) in the sports field, there remains ongoing debate regarding their actual effectiveness in enhancing athletic performance and expediting post-exercise recovery. This article examines their various aspects, with a focus on CG design and the materials they are made of, aiming to analyze the importance of personalized compression strategies based on individual anthropometric measurements and non-linear compression designs. Methods: Using anthropometric analysis of 40 healthy participants, this study examines the morphological characteristics of the lower limb and their implications for CG design. Results: Measurements of limb length and circumferences revealed complex interactions among anatomical variables, emphasizing the need for customized and adaptable device design. Finite element simulations clarified the challenges in achieving uniform pressure gradients along the lower limb, highlighting the limitations of one-piece devices and suggesting tailored segmented designs for individual limb segments. Conclusion: The results demonstrate that one-piece devices often fail to provide optimal compression due to non-linear variations in limb dimensions. Conversely, segmented devices, particularly those with bilinear progression, exhibited superior performance in applying targeted compression across different limb segments. This more detailed approach to customization could significantly contribute to optimizing outcomes and user comfort. Full article

Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) are an essential source of food for whale, seal, several fish, squid and seabird species in the Southern Ocean. Krill also play a major role in biogeochemical cycling and are the target of a growing commercial fishery. Krill can be detected and quantified with echosounders, particularly in swarms, and monitoring krill abundance and distribution is integral to assessing the status of regional populations and managing fisheries. We used echosounders to investigate the hemispherical distribution and behaviour of krill swarms during the Antarctic Circumpolar Expedition (ACE), a multidisciplinary exercise that included measurements of atmospheric chemistry. Krill swarms were grouped using hierarchical clustering into four principal types: small swarms (on average 2 m high, 25 m long); large swarms (13 m high and 341 m long); deep swarms, which were also densely packed (average depth of 52 m); and shallower swarms, which had lower densities (average depth of 28 m). We found a weak negative relationship between the concentration of atmospheric methane close to the sea surface and the presence of krill. High densities of krill were found in the Amundsen Sea, an area purported to be of increasing importance for krill as the climate changes. Full article

Patients presenting with abdominal pain and/or distension require rapid diagnostics to narrow the differential diagnosis from a long list of obstructive gastrointestinal (GI) pathologies that may appear clinically similar but warrant distinct management. While the workup of abdominal distension currently centers around computed tomography (CT), this modality is costly, requires radiation exposure, and necessitates patient transport, potentially delaying care. In contrast, point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) avoids ionizing radiation and the need for patient transport while providing some insight into the gastrointestinal size and function. While POCUS cannot currently replace CT in the definitive diagnosis of GI obstructive pathologies, it remains a promising tool to help with the initial triage and monitoring responses to therapy for several causes of functional and/or mechanical GI obstruction, such as gastric dilation, ileus, and small bowel obstruction. Because the obstruction severity and features can evolve over time, POCUS enables serial examinations to monitor the progression or resolution. This manuscript reviews characteristic sonographic findings that help distinguish obstructive GI conditions and highlights practical techniques for integrating gastric and intestinal POCUS to improve diagnostic accuracy and expedite treatment. Full article

This study examines the longitudinal relationship and interactions among comprehensive water management, human development, and fragility. The seventeen Middle Eastern countries were examined for the period from 1996 to 2023. The Human Development Index (HDI) and Fragile States Index (FSI) were considered as a proxy for human development and fragility. In addition, the Water Poverty Index (WPI) was thoroughly assessed using classical and improved methods to measure multidisciplinary water management. Findings highlight that “Resources” and “Environment” are the most critical components of WPI. Iran performed the most consistently across WPI versions, whereas Palestine performed the worst. “Capacity,” “Environment,” and “Access” are the most influential components of HDI. FSI was found to be the most sensitive to “Capacity” and “Environment”, which contribute to both human development and stability. This study provides empirical evidence to inform SDG 6 implementation by demonstrating the linkage between WPI components and progress in human development. Full article

Background: Incarcerated patients with neurological complaints present substantial diagnostic and care-delivery challenges in emergency departments (EDs). We delineate the clinical spectrum, severity, and outcomes among incarcerated patients managed in an ED with an embedded neuro-emergency expert model. Methods: A retrospective observational study of adult ED visits for neurological symptoms was conducted from September 2018 to June 2025 at a government-designated regional emergency center serving multiple correctional facilities. Incarceration was confirmed in the electronic medical record. Extracted variables included demographics, chief complaint, comorbidities, triage and acuity scale, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), neuroimaging, ED diagnoses, and outcomes (hospital admission, ICU care, ED/in-hospital mortality). Results: Sixty-five patients were included (median age 57.0 years [IQR 47.0–64.5]; 95% male). Chief complaints were altered mental status (36.9%), hemiparesis (21.5%), and seizures (13.8%). On arrival, 40.0% had GCS ≤ 12, including 23.1% with severe impairment (GCS 3–8). Non-contrast head CT was obtained in 95.4% and diffusion-weighted MRI in 38.5%. Frequent diagnoses were psychiatric/functional neurological disorder (16.9%), metabolic encephalopathy (15.4%), and acute ischemic stroke (12.3%). Serious conditions (stroke, hypoxic brain injury, central nervous system infection, status epilepticus, and neuroleptic malignant syndrome) were diagnosed in 41.5%. Hospital admission occurred in 63.1% (ICU care in 47.7%); in-hospital mortality was 10.8%. Conclusions: ED visits by incarcerated individuals with neurological complaints were often linked to serious diagnoses, ICU use, and mortality, challenging assumptions of exaggeration. Over two in five had stroke, hypoxic brain injury, central nervous system infection, or status epilepticus. The findings support rapid, systematic, bias-aware evaluation with early neurological involvement, clear imaging triggers, safety protocol, and expedited transfers from correctional facilities. Full article

Spaceflight imposes unique physiological stressors that profoundly disrupt immune regulation, including impaired lymphocyte activation, latent viral reactivation, and chronic low-grade inflammation. While structured exercise is the cornerstone countermeasure for musculoskeletal and cardiovascular health, current protocols rarely integrate immune endpoints into their design. This review aims to synthesize current evidence on the immunological effects of exercise in spaceflight and propose a novel framework for immune-focused physical activity guidelines tailored to long-duration missions. Evidence indicates that exercise intensity and modality critically determine immune outcomes. Acute strenuous exercise may transiently suppress immunity via cortisol and reactive oxygen species pathways, whereas chronic moderate-to-vigorous training enhances immune surveillance, reduces systemic inflammation, and supports T-cell and NK-cell function. Exerkines such as IL-15, IL-7, and irisin emerge as central mediators of exercise-induced immunomodulation, with potential applications for spaceflight countermeasures. Incorporating immune health into exercise guidelines represents a necessary paradigm shift for astronaut care. A structured framework—emphasizing aerobic, resistance, and HIIT modalities; moderate-to-vigorous intensity; daily training; immune biomarker monitoring; and integration with nutrition and sleep—can enhance resilience against infection, viral reactivation, and cancer risk. Immune-focused countermeasures will be essential to safeguard astronaut health and ensure mission success on future deep-space expeditions. Full article

Cetaceans are essential for maintaining the balance and stability of deep-sea ecosystems. However, environmental challenges and limited funding have resulted in a marked lack of data on species diversity and the conservation status of deep-sea cetaceans. In this study, we undertook two research expeditions in the deep-water regions of the northern South China Sea, employing an integrated visual and acoustic survey approach. In total, 28 cetacean encounters, involving 12 species and more than 1000 individuals, were documented through visual observation, while acoustic monitoring recorded 53 detections. These findings demonstrate that the deep-sea waters of the northern South China Sea have relatively high cetacean biodiversity and constitute significant habitats for these marine mammals. Nevertheless, this area also experiences intensive human activities, with fisheries, maritime traffic, and oil and gas extraction posing primary threats to local cetacean populations. Improving the management of human activities in this marine zone is essential for ensuring the effective protection of cetacean species and their critical habitats. Full article

Antarctic research stations require reliable low-carbon power under extreme conditions. This study compiles a synchronized PV-meteorological time-series data set on Horseshoe Island (Antarctica) at 30 s, 1 min, and 5 min resolutions and compares four PV module types (monocrystalline, polycrystalline, flexible mono, and semitransparent) under controlled field operation. Model development adopts an interpretable, multi-objective framework: a modified SPEA-2 searches rule sets on the Pareto front that jointly optimize precision and recall, yielding transparent, physically plausible decision rules for operational use. For context, benchmark machine-learning models (e.g., kNN, SVM) are evaluated on the same splits. Performance is reported with precision, recall, and complementary metrics (F1, balanced accuracy, and MCC), emphasizing class-wise behavior and robustness. Results show that the proposed rule-based approach attains competitive predictive performance while retaining interpretability and stability across panel types and sampling intervals. Contributions are threefold: (i) a high-resolution field data set coupling PV output with solar radiation, temperature, wind, and humidity in polar conditions; (ii) a Pareto-front, explainable rule-extraction methodology tailored to small-power PV; and (iii) a comparative assessment against standard ML baselines using multiple, class-aware metrics. The resulting XAI models achieved 92.3% precision and 89.7% recall. The findings inform the design and operation of PV systems for harsh, high-latitude environments. Full article

Given the strong coupling between electricity flow and carbon flow, promoting the low-carbon transformation of the energy sector is a crucial measure to actively responding to climate challenges. As a pivotal hub linking the electricity market with the carbon market, promoting electricity–carbon coordinated scheduling of Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) is of great significance in expediting the energy transition process. Based on the introduction of carbon potential, this manuscript constructs a VPP electricity–carbon coordinated scheduling model that incorporates various typical elements, including renewable energy units and demand response. Furthermore, this paper utilizes Brain Storm Optimization (BSO) to improve the Snow Ablation Optimizer (SAO) algorithm and applies the improved algorithm to solve the model developed in this manuscript. Finally, an analysis was conducted using a small-scale VPP project in eastern China, and the results are the following: Firstly, the SAO improved by BSO demonstrates a significant enhancement in solution efficiency. In particular, for the cases presented in this manuscript, the algorithm’s convergence speed increased by 42.85%. Secondly, under the multi-market conditions and with real-time carbon potential, VPPs will possess greater flexibility in scheduling optimization and stronger incentives to fully explore their emission reduction potential through collaborative electricity–carbon scheduling, thereby improving both economic and environmental performance. However, constrained by factors such as the currently low carbon price level, the extent of improvement in VPPs’ performance under real-time carbon potential, compared to fixed carbon potential, remains relatively limited, with a 1.07% increase in economic benefits and a 2.63% reduction in carbon emissions. Thirdly, an increase in carbon prices can incentivize VPPs to continuously tap into their emission reduction potential, but beyond a certain threshold (120 CNY/t in this case study), the marginal contribution of further carbon price increases to emission reductions will progressively decline. Specifically, for every 20-yuan increase in the carbon price, the carbon emission reduction rate of VPPs drops below 1%. Full article

Background/Objectives: Healthcare accounts for approximately 4.4% of global carbon emissions. Gastroenterology is a particularly heavy producer, with professional organisations outlining targets to move towards carbon neutrality. Missed hospital appointments, associated with poor medical outcomes, also represent physical and economic waste to the sector. COVID-19 expedited the shift toward virtual clinics, but tele-diagnostics have not expanded similarly. We aimed to assess the feasibility of a virtual C13 urea breath test clinic for H. pylori in Ireland. Methods: C13 urea breath test kits were provided to patients in the community, who were subsequently invited to book an online video appointment with a GI lab technician to assist them in performing the test at home. Completed tests were returned to the hospital via local GP, by post, or a specified hospital drop-off point, and analysed using our standard protocol. Results: 423 virtual appointments were reviewed. 135 (32%) were male, and the mean age was 42 years. The test positivity rate was 22%, similar to a matched in-person testing cohort (21%). In all, there were no non-attenders, and two cancellations. Virtual patients were more likely to attend their appointments (OR = 153.9, p = 0.0004) than in-person patients. Virtual UBT appointments saved 9943.5 Km of road journeys, equivalent to 254 person-hours of travel time and 1.24 metric tonnes of CO₂. Additionally, 300 (71%) patients returned a feedback questionnaire, of which 276 (92%) rated the overall home breath test experience as ‘good’ or ‘excellent’. Conclusions: Home testing for H. pylori is effective, acceptable, and reduces both reliance on invasive procedures such as endoscopy and carbon emissions. Full article

This paper examines the burgeoning dental tourism sector in the Republic of Moldova, highlighting its significant economic impact and patient-related considerations. Driven primarily by competitive pricing, the perceived quality of dental treatments, and strategic geographical advantages, Moldova has emerged as a prominent destination for international dental patients, particularly from Western Europe, the UK, Ireland, and increasingly from North America. While this sector provides a crucial economic impetus to one of Europe’s most economically challenged nations, contributing significantly to (Gross Domestic Product) GDP and generating crucial employment opportunities, it also presents inherent risks related to treatment quality, potential complications, and challenges with follow-up care. This study integrates market trends, academic literature, and patient experience insights to offer a comprehensive overview of Moldova’s and Eastern Europe’s unique position in the global dental tourism landscape. Employing a narrative synthesis of diverse data points from market research reports, academic literature, and economic indicators, our findings reveal dental tourism as a vital economic driver for Moldova, fueled by competitive costs and improving standards. However, the sector also necessitates careful consideration of inherent risks, including potential complications from expedited treatment schedules and challenges with follow-up care. Full article

Coral reefs provide environmental goods and services that support biodiversity and people but face diverse threats. To assess the human factors that might be influencing the status of Cuban coral reefs, we collected and analyzed data from three sources: observations made on a research cruise that circumnavigated Cuba’s waters, expert knowledge, and updated published information. Our results show that small-scale fisheries are predominant among human factors influencing Cuban coral reefs, with more than 97% of the fishing incidents detected in situ during the expedition. Many Cuban reefs are heavily fished, have low levels of contamination, and enjoy high legal protection but experience inadequate enforcement. Tourism occurs on many reefs but could be sustainably increased based on its role in supporting enforcement and compliance and reducing fishing pressure. Densities of marine debris were generally lower in Cuban waters than other Caribbean locations and even lower within protected areas. Many human factors are likely acting synergistically, making management a challenge. This is the first at-sea comprehensive visual survey of human factors in Cuban waters and evaluation of marine debris on Cuba’s reefs, establishing a baseline for future assessments. These findings highlight potential human impacts that must be addressed to safeguard the health of Cuba’s marine ecosystem. Full article

The automotive industry is undergoing a transition toward Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs), necessitating the integration of AUTOSAR Adaptive, a standard for vehicle control, with ROS2, a platform for autonomous driving research. However, current static bridge approaches present notable limitations, chiefly regarding unnecessary resource consumption and compatibility issues with Quality of Service (QoS). To tackle these challenges, in this paper, we put forward a dynamic bridge architecture consisting of three components: a Discovery Manager, a Bridge Manager, and a Message Router. The proposed dynamic SOME/IP-DDS bridge dynamically detects service discovery events from the SOME/IP and DDS domains in real time, allowing for the creation and destruction of communication entities as needed. Additionally, it automatically manages QoS settings to ensure that they remain compatible. The experimental results indicate that this architecture maintains a stable latency even with a growing number of connections, demonstrating high scalability while also reducing memory usage during idle periods compared to static methods. Moreover, real-world assessments using an autonomous driving robot confirm its real-time applicability by reliably relaying sensor data to Autoware with minimal end-to-end latency. This research contributes to expediting the integration of autonomous driving exploration and production vehicle platforms by offering a more efficient and robust interoperability solution. Full article

Reconstructing the deep water salinity during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM, 26.5~19 ka BP), corresponding to Marine Isotope Stage 2, the most recent and coldest period, is crucial for understanding glacial deep ocean circulation variation and its effect on the climate. The South China Sea (SCS) is one of the largest marginal seas in the western Pacific Ocean, where LGM deep water salinity reconstruction remains unexplored. This study employs pore water [Cl⁻] profiles acquired from boreholes of Site U1499 of IODP Expedition 367 and Sites U1431 and U1433 of IODP Expedition 349 to reconstruct the LGM salinity in the deep SCS. Utilizing a one-dimensional diffusion-advection numerical model, the LGM salinity of the deep northern SCS is determined to be 35.68 ± 0.04 g/kg, and that of the deep central SCS is 35.61 ± 0.03 g/kg, revealing an intra-basin salinity gradient of ~0.07 g/kg. LGM salinity gradients within the SCS were reduced relative to modern ones, indicating attenuated deep circulation within the SCS during the LGM. Furthermore, a diminished salinity gradient (Δ = 0.02 g/kg) across the Luzon Strait between the SCS and Pacific and an enhanced vertical stratification between Upper Circumpolar Deep Water (UCDW) and Lower Circumpolar Deep Water (LCDW) collectively support a sluggish deep Pacific circulation during the LGM. Full article

Breast cancer faces significant therapeutic challenges, particularly for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), due to limited targeted therapies and drug resistance. Drug repositioning leverages existing safety and pharmacokinetic data to expedite the identification of new indications with cost-effective benefits compared to de novo drug discovery. In this critical narrative review, we examine recent advances in computational repositioning strategies for breast cancer, focusing on network-based methods, computer-aided drug design, artificial intelligence and machine learning, transcriptomic signature matching, and multi-omics integration. We highlight key case studies that have progressed to preclinical validation or clinical evaluation. We assess comparative performance metrics, experimental validation outcomes, and real-world success rates. We also present critical methodological challenges, including data heterogeneity, bias in real-world data, and the need for study reproducibility. Our review emphasizes the importance of window-of-opportunity trials and the need for standardized data sharing and reproducible pipelines. These insights highlight the groundbreaking potential of in silico repositioning in addressing unmet needs in breast cancer therapy. Full article