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The present study aimed to analyze the effects of conducting a warm-up (WC) or not (WWC) on students of the Science Degree in Physical Activity and Sport before starting a practical class. Thirty-two students of the Science Degree in Physical Activity and Sport (age: 22.38 ± 1.81 years; height: 176.09 ± 8.52 cm; weight: 22.38 ± 1.81 kg; body fat: 25.17 ± 3.20%) participated in a counterbalanced cross-sectional study in which three conditions were tested: (a) basal lineal, (b) WC, and (c) WWC. Participants recorded longer times (worse performance) in the Illinois dribbling test (basal lineal condition [20.17 ± 1.35], WWC [20.13 ± 1.37], and WC [19.32 ± 1.35]) and the Psychomotor Vigilance Task test (basal lineal condition [397.88 ± 75.98 ms]; WWC [412.19 ± 91.39 ms], and WC [368.53 ± 68.65 ms]). The warm-up prior to physical activity classes had positive effects on vigilance linked to executive functioning, and physical performance. In this sense, more research on different types of warm-up may be in order to contrast them with each other, as well as to carry out attention measurements according to the content to be imparted after the warm-ups. The present study represents a big opportunity for all physical education teachers due to warm-up is a crucial aspect that occurs in all practical sessions, also linked to the attention processes and motivational factors of the students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Malaria keeps on being a serious global health threat, especially in many tropical countries, where it is endemic. Also in non-endemic countries, like Spain, malaria is an issue that requires attention due to the presence of imported cases. Methods: This is a retrospective study, including all patients diagnosed with malaria at Severo Ochoa University Hospital from 2006 to 2022, being classified according to: (I) their type of stay in an endemic area as visiting friends and relatives (VFR), migrants of recent arrival (MRA), or tourism and business (T&B), and (II) the mode of presentation as microscopic (MM) or submicroscopic (SMM) malaria. Results: In this study, 132 patients (23.7% of all suspected) were diagnosed with malaria. The PCR was the most sensitive technique (99.2%), followed by antigen detection (78.8%) and microscopy (75%), with Plasmodium falciparum being the predominant species (94.7%). VFR was the largest group infected with malaria (69.7%), mostly symptomatic (98.2%) and presenting MM (90.2%). Instead, MRA patients (25%) presented milder (47.4%) or no symptoms (31.6%) and higher cases of SMM (42.4%). Coinfection with another imported pathogen was present in 19 patients (14.4%), being MRA more frequently coinfected (30.3%) Conclusion: This study shows the need for establishing systems for VFRs to attend pre-travel consultations to reduce malaria imported risk. In the case of MRA, screening for imported diseases should be conducted upon their arrival. Finally, we highlight two cases of co-infection with imported viruses, showing that presence of symptoms resembling malaria from another imported pathogen does not exclude malaria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of different exercise interventions involving chronic exercise (endurance and strength groups) carried out in physical education on physical fitness and cognitive functions. A group of 72 adolescent students from the city of Melilla (Spain) aged between 13 and 17 years old (M = 15.38, SD = 0.78) participated in the current study. A D2 attention test was used in order to analyze selective attention and concentration. Physical fitness was measured through the ALPHA-Fitness battery. The analysis taken indicated a significant relationship between physical fitness level, attention and concentration. Moreover, the intervention resulted in significant reductions in body weight and waist circumference in the resistance and strength groups compared to the control group, indicating positive effects on body composition. All the groups demonstrated enhanced aerobic capacity, as evidenced by improvements in VO2 max after the intervention period. Furthermore, significant enhancements in most attentional measures (TR, TA, O, C, TOT, CON and TR−) were observed across all the groups, with an additional temporary improvement in TR+ for the strength group. Our findings suggest that an 8-week school-based exercise intervention, regardless of specific exercise type (resistance or strength), can positively impact body composition, aerobic capacity and attention in adolescents. These results emphasize the importance of integrating physical activity programs into school environments to promote holistic health and well-being in this population. Future research should focus on elucidating the underlying mechanisms of these effects and exploring the long-term benefits of such interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We overview the main equations of the Rayleigh–Ritz variational method and discuss their connection with the problem of simultaneous diagonalization of two Hermitian matrices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a five-week training program on undulatory underwater swimming (UUS) in swimmers and to compare the specific effects prompted by two different training protocols on UUS performance and kinematics. Swimmers (n = 14) were divided into in-water only (WO) (18.61 ± 2.62 years, FINA points: 507 ± 60) and water + dry-land training groups (with conical pulleys) (WD) (18.38 ± 2.67 years, FINA points: 508 ± 83). Three countermovement jumps (CMJ) and three maximal UUS trials were performed before and after a five-week training period. The training program comprised 14 × 30-min sessions. The WO group repeated the same 15-min block twice, while the WD group performed one block of 15 min in the water and the other block on land performing lower limb exercises with conical pulleys. Seven body landmarks were auto-digitalized during UUS by a pre-trained neural network and 21 kinematic variables were calculated. The level of statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Significant time × group interaction in favour of the WD group was observed for mean vertical toe velocity (p = 0.035, η²p = 0.32). The WD group experienced enhancements in mean and maximum underwater velocity, kick frequency, maximum shoulder angular velocity, as well as mean and maximum vertical toe velocity (p < 0.05). The WO group exhibited an enhancement in CMJ height (p < 0.05). In conclusion, UUS performance was improved in adolescent swimmers after five weeks of specific training, only when combining water and conical pulley exercises. Coaches should include dry-land specific lower limb exercises in addition to in-water training to improve UUS performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) and microalgae–bacteria consortia represent two renewable and promising technologies of growing interest that enable wastewater treatment while obtaining high-value-added products. This study integrates MFCs and microalgae production systems to treat animal slurry, aiming to remove and recover organic and inorganic components while generating energy and producing biomass. The MFCs effectively eliminated Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), organic nitrogen, and a portion of the suspended solids, achieving a maximum voltage of 195 mV and a power density of 87.03 mW·m−2. After pre-treatment with MFCs, the slurry was diluted to concentrations of 10%, 50%, and 100% and treated with microalgae–bacteria consortia. The results showed a biomass production of 0.51 g·L−1 and a productivity of 0.04 g·L−1·day−1 in the culture fed with 10% slurry, with significant removal efficiencies: 40.71% for COD, 97.76% for N-NH4+, 39.66% for N-NO2−, 47.37% for N-NO3−, and 94.37% for P-PO4−3. The combination of both technologies allowed for obtaining a properly purified slurry and the recovery of nutrients in the form of bioelectricity and high-value biomass. Increasing the concentration of animal slurry to be treated is essential to optimize and scale both technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between the physical capabilities of young soccer players and their performance in game-related variables as assessed through the Nomination Scale for Identifying Football Talent (NSIFT) questionnaire. A total of 80 young soccer players, with an average age of 10.70 ± 1.02 years, participated in the research. Each player underwent a comprehensive assessment session that included the 5-0-5 Change of Direction (COD) test, the Illinois Agility Test, and the Countermovement Jump (CMJ) test. These assessments were selected to evaluate critical physical attributes essential for soccer performance such as agility, explosive strength, and the ability to change direction rapidly. To analyze the data, Principal Component Analysis (PCA), a statistical technique that reduces the dimensionality of large datasets while retaining as much variance as possible, was employed. The PCA results indicated strong sample validity as confirmed by the Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin (KMO) measurement index, which assesses the adequacy of the sample size for factor analysis. The analysis revealed two principal components: development and disposition, which together accounted for 73% of the total variance in the data. The development component encompasses various physical attributes that contribute to a player's growth and improvement, including strength, speed, and agility. Conversely, the disposition component reflects innate qualities and cognitive skills that predispose players to excel in soccer such as decision making and game awareness. This research highlights the importance of incorporating physical assessments into talent identification processes, providing objective measures that complement subjective evaluations. This study contributed to the literature on talent identification in soccer, emphasizing the need for a multidisciplinary approach to nurture young athletes effectively. Future research should continue to explore the interplay between physical and cognitive skills in soccer to enhance player development and success in competitive environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Recent randomized trials have demonstrated the efficacy of mechanical thrombectomy in treating acute ischemic stroke, however, further research is required to optimize this technique. We aimed to evaluate the impact of guide catheter position and clot crossing on revascularization rates using A Direct Aspiration First Pass Technique (ADAPT). Methods Data were collected between January 2018 and August 2019 as part of the Spanish ADAPT Registry on ACE catheters (SARA), a multicenter observational study assessing real-world thrombectomy outcomes. Demographic, clinical, and angiographic data were collected. Subgroup analyses assessed the relationship between guide catheter/microguidewire position and modified Trombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (mTICI) scores. First pass effect (FPE) was defined as mTICI 3 after single pass of the device. Results From a total of 589 patients, 80.8% underwent frontline aspiration thrombectomy. The median score on the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) was 16.0. After adjusting for confounders, the likelihood of achieving FPE (adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR), 0.587; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.38 to 0.92; p=0.0194) were higher among patients with more distal petrocavernous placement of guide catheter. The likelihood of achieving FPE (aOR, 0.592; 95% CI, 0.39 to 0.90; p=0.0138) and final angiogram complete reperfusion (aOR, 0.465; 95% CI, 0.30 to 0.73; p=0.0008) were higher among patients without microguidewire crossing the clot. No difference was noted for time from arterial puncture to reperfusion in any study group. At the 90-day follow-up, the mortality rate was 9.2% and 65.8% of patients across the entire study cohort were functionally independent (modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 0-2). Conclusions Petrocavernous guide catheter placement improved first-pass revascularization. Crossing the occlusion with a microguidewire lowered the likelihood of achieving FPE and complete reperfusion after final angiogram. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyzed the effects of with (WC) or without conducting a warm up on youth soccer players immediately before performing physical and cognitive tests. Fourteen youth soccer player (age 11.64 ± 0.50) participated in a counterbalanced cross-sectional study in which three conditions were tested: (a) basal lineal condition; (b) WC (immediately before the physical and cognitive tests); and (c) without WC (passive resting for 15 min between the warm-up and physical and cognitive tests). A 30-m sprint test, countermovement jump, and psychomotor vigilance task were also applied. The WC revealed significant improvements in countermovement jump (p < .05), 30-m sprint test performance (p < .05), and reaction time in psychomotor vigilance task (p < .05) in comparison to basal lineal condition and without WC. A 15-min rest after a warm-up has a meaningfully decremental effect on the physical and cognitive readiness of youth soccer players, in comparison with when they warm-up immediately before the demands are imposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Retos: Nuevas Perspectivas de Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación is the property of Federacion Espanola de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educacion Fisica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Acute: chronic workload ratio (ACWR) and training monotony have been criticized as injury risk predictors. Therefore, the use of intensity measures should be oriented to understand the variations of intensity across the season. The aim of this systematic review is to summarize the main evidence about the ACWR and training monotony variations over the season in professional soccer players. The search was made in PubMed, SPORTDiscus, and FECYT according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. From the 225 studies initially identified, 27 were fully reviewed, and their outcome measures were extracted and analyzed. Existing literature revealed a variety of designs, ACWR and training monotony ranges, variables assessed and durations of the studies. Overall, the range values for ACWR were 0.4–3.39 AU, while those focused on monotony were 0.49–5.7 AU. Regarding ACWR, the ratios located around 0.85–1.25 could predict lower risk values and ratios around ≥1.50 could predict higher risk values. On the contrary, with respect to training monotony, the ratios are approximately between 0.5 and 2.00 (low values in the preseason and low competition weeks and high values when soccer players are in highly scheduled competition weeks). Nevertheless, ACWR and training monotony methods should be addressed and considered based on their real value before using this indicator to reduce injury risk. In fact, the data did not conclusively define injured and non-injured players. For this reason, utilizing standardized approaches will allow for more precise conclusions about professional soccer players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes how moiré plasmonic nanoparticle lattices can exhibit lasing action over a broad wavelength and wavevector range. Moiré nanolithography is combined with the PEEL (Photolithography, Etching, Electron‐beam deposition, and Lift‐off) process to fabricate in‐plane incommensurate lattices with optical properties beyond the restricted geometries of Bravais lattices. Because of increased rotational symmetry, moiré lattices support a larger number of transverse electric and transverse magnetic modes relative to their periodic base lattices. It is found that multidirectional lasing characteristics can be predicted by the symmetry of the moiré reciprocal lattice. Incommensurate moiré plasmonic lattices combine advantages of the dense band structures observed in aperiodic lattices with that of predicted modes in Bravais lattices for light‐based technologies in coherent light sources and multiplexed data transfer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eye tracking technology is a high-potential tool for different mathematic cognition research areas. Moreover, there is a dire need for more studies that provide detailed information on the quality of registered eye data. This study aimed to illustrate the applicability of eye tracking in the examination of mathematical cognition, focusing specifically on primary school students completing a computerized mental arithmetic task. Results suggested that the eye tracking device effectively captured high-quality eye movement data when primary school children engaged in this specific task. Furthermore, significant negative correlations have been found between task performance and number of eye fixations. Finally, eye movements distinctions between "Areas of Interest" have been found, indicating different visual tracking associated with different components of arithmetic calculations. This study underscores the extensive possibilities for future research employing eye tracking devices during computerized calculation tasks as assessment tools to explore the complex visual and cognitive processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To determine the profile of diabetes patients with neuropathic and neuro-ischaemic lesions who are referred to the advanced practice nurse (APN) in complex chronic wounds; to determine whether a training strategy aimed at primary care nurses and nursing homes that care for patients with diabetic foot disease influences the performance of professionals; and to assess the extent, follow-up and evaluation of diabetic foot disease in patients with neuropathic ulcers and neuro-ischaemic ulcers referred to the specialist APN before and after the training. Methods: The characteristics of patients referred to the APN over a period of 6.5 years were analysed, as well as the numbers of amputations and deaths pre- and post-training. Results: of the total of 103 patients, 78 were men; across both sexes the average age was 69 years. Fifty patients had neuropathic ulcers and 53 had neuro-ischaemic ulcers, with healing rates of 59%. There were 50 amputations and 37 deaths over the study period. Conclusion: Prevention of diabetic foot ulcers depends on having in place a fast, agile, practical clinical pathway between primary care and hospital, with the role of the APN, including the co-ordination of care between primary and secondary settings, being key. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to compare performance, kinematic, and physiological variables between open water and pool swimming conditions in elite triathletes and to examine the associations between conditions on these variables. Fourteen elite triathletes (10 males and 4 females [23.4 ± 3.8 years]) performed two 1500‐m swimming tests in open water and in a 25‐m pool. Swimming speed, stroke rate (SR), length (SL) and index (SI), heart rate (HR), blood lactate concentrations [La−], and end‐exercise oxygen uptake (EEV̇O2) were assessed in both conditions. Lower SL and SI and higher SR were obtained in open water compared with pool swimming (p < 0.05). Moreover, kinematic variables changed as a function of distance in both conditions (p < 0.05). No differences were found in the main physiological variables (HR, [La−], and EEV̇O2) between conditions. Respiratory exchange ratio presented lower values in open water than in pool conditions (p < 0.05), while time constant was higher in open water (p = 0.032). The fastest triathletes in open water obtained the best performance in the pool (r = 0.958; p < 0.001). All kinematic variables, HR and peak [La−] presented positive associations between conditions (r > 0.6; p < 0.05). Despite physiological invariance, triathletes and coaches should monitor specific open water training to adapt their swimming technique to the competitive environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of International Journal of Professional Business Review (JPBReview) is the property of Open Access Publications LLC and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: The survival benefit of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in immunocompetent and immunosuppressed patients with high‐risk cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) has not been established. Objective: To determine whether SLNB improves disease‐specific survival (DSS) in high‐risk cSCC. Secondary objectives were to analyse disease‐free survival, nodal recurrence‐free survival and overall survival (OS). Methods: Multicentre, retrospective, observational cohort study comparing survival outcomes in immunosuppressed and immunocompetent patients treated with SLNB or watchful waiting. Inverse probability of treatment weighting was used to adjust for possible confounding effects. Results: We studied 638 tumours in immunocompetent patients (SLNB n = 42, observation n = 596) and 173 tumours in immunosuppressed patients (SLNB n = 28, observation n = 145). Overall, SLNB was positive in 15.7% of tumours. SLNB was associated with a reduced risk of nodal recurrence (NR) (hazard ratio [HR], 0.05 [95% CI, 0.01–0.43]; p = 0.006), disease specific mortality (HR, 0.17 [95% CI, 0.04–0.72]; p = 0.016) and all‐cause mortality (HR, 0.33 [95% CI, 0.15–0.71]; p = 0.004) only in immunocompetent patients. Conclusions: SLNB was associated with improvements in NR, DSS and OS in immunocompetent but not in immunosuppressed patients with high‐risk cSCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of our study was to examine the effect of 16 weeks of strength training on anthropometric characteristics and jump height in semi-professional male players after a pre-season period. Methods: A parallel two-group, longitudinal (pre, post) design was used with physical tests performed before (preintervention) and after (postintervention) the 16-week intervention period. The soccer players were assigned and matched into two groups, an experimental group (EG) and a control group (CG), based on the team of which they were a part. Results: A two-way ANOVA was performed with group and time as factors. The results of a two-way ANOVA revealed no time×group interaction for body composition or jump height. Nevertheless, a paired measures t -test of weight, fat mass, lean mass, and countermovement jump (CMJ) test metrics (pre-post) and group (CG and EG) showed an improvement in all measures (p < 0.01). Discussion: The 16-week intervention program resulted in an improvement in the EG both at the level of body composition and in CMJ performance. Conclusions: Despite the benefits of the 16-week intervention program, a combination of training methods that includes power, agility-coordination, speed, and strength can enhance such improvements. It is important to take this strength-specific capacity into account in training, due to the importance outlined in the sport of soccer both for its transfer to both linear and COD sprints and specific strength skills and mainly to vertical jump. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed (i) to analyze the 1500 m open water swimming performance, (ii) to examine the associations between physiological and biomechanical variables with swimming performance, and (iii) to determine which variables can predict swimming performance in triathletes. Fourteen elite triathletes (23.4±3.8 y) performed a 1500 m test in open water swimming conditions. Swimming performance was assessed using World Aquatics Points Scoring, and data were obtained from the 1500 m open water swimming test. Heart rate, end-exercise oxygen uptake (EE˙VO2) and blood lactate concentrations were measured. The initial 250 m of the 1500 m swimming test presented the highest values of biomechanical variables in males (i. e. swimming speed, stroke rate (SR), length (SL), index (SI)). A decrease in SL was observed in the last 250 m in both sexes. Positive association were found between EE˙VO2 (r=0.513; p =0.030), swimming speed (r=0.873; p <0.001) and SI (r=0.704; p =0.002) with swimming performance. In contrast, time constant of the oxygen uptake (r=−0.500; p =0.034) and buoy-turn times (r=−0.525; p =0.027) were negatively associated with performance. SI was the main predictor (R2 =0.495) of open water swimming performance in triathletes. In conclusion, triathletes and coaches must conduct open water training sessions to maximize SI (i. e. swimming efficiency). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large amounts of agri-food waste are generated and discarded annually, but they have the potential to become highly profitable sources of value-added compounds. Many of these are lignin-rich residues. Lignin, one of the most abundant biopolymers in nature, offers numerous possibilities as a raw material or renewable resource for the production of chemical products. This study aims to explore the potential revalorization of agricultural by-products through the extraction of lignin and subsequent depolymerization. Different residues were studied; river cane, rice husks, broccoli stems, wheat straw, and olive stone are investigated (all local wastes that are typically incinerated). Traditional soda extraction, enhanced by ultrasound, is applied, comparing two different sonication methods. The extraction yields from different residues were as follows: river cane (28.21%), rice husks (24.27%), broccoli (6.48%), wheat straw (17.66%), and olive stones (24.29%). Once lignin is extracted, depolymerization is performed by three different methods: high-pressure reactor, ultrasound-assisted solvent depolymerization, and microwave solvolysis. As a result, a new microwave depolymerization method has been developed and patented, using for the first time graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) as new promising carbonaceous catalyst, achieving a 90.89% depolymerization rate of river cane lignin and yielding several building blocks, including guaiacol, vanillin, ferulic acid, or acetovanillone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A Q-switched Nd:YAG laser was focused on the Pb–Ti alloy samples in several laser-induced breakdown experiments in order to measure the Stark parameters of several spectral lines (58) of singly ionized titanium, including the 3504.89 Å and 3510.83 Å lines (where we achieved new experimental and theoretical values). The diagnostics of the laser-induced plasmas (electron density and electron temperature) were performed using Balmer's H alpha line (6562.7 Å). The temperatures were obtained by the Boltzmann plot technique with spectral lines of Pb I (after correction for its evident self-absorption). Subsequently, the calculations by the Griem approach of the Stark broadening parameters for several spectral lines were performed using the Gaunt factors proposed by van Regemorter and those proposed by Douglas H. Sampson. In the latter case, the values obtained were very close to the experimental values. This enables us to assume that the calculations performed for the spectral lines of Ti II, without experimental information, are more accurate using the Gaunt factors proposed by Sampson. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of an intervention program based on Ludotechnical Model and Teaching Games for Understanding (TGfU) on roller hockey players' motivation. The intervention consisted of 14 training sessions. A quasi-experimental study was developed with a pre-post design with 11 rollerhockey players from the under-10 category (M = 7.18, SD = 0.83) from a Spanish school club. The Sport Motivation Scale was used to analyze the types of motivation. Overall, results revealed an increase in some autonomous forms of motivation and a decrease in controlled motivation, as it was hypothesized. Regarding autonomous motivation, the intervention had a positive effect on intrinsic motivation to know and intrinsic motivation to experience stimulation. On the other hand, results showed a decrease in players' introjected and external regulations. Therefore, the intervention seemed useful to diminish the most negative types of motivation established in selfdetermination theory. This study provides initial evidence that a hybrid Ludotechnical/TGfU unit can be implemented in a sport like roller hockey to produce significant improvements in players' motivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among the many factors that can affect men's soccer performance, technical and tactical actions can obscure relevant game data, even affecting specialists in both the programming and design of training tasks. We aimed to evaluate the technical and physical load variables of different positions in U18 semi-professional soccer players and observe the differences between the first and second halves during 10 matches of the 2021/2022 Spanish Football U18 National League Championship. A total of 246 match records (10 matches) were collected from the 2021/2022 Spanish Football U18 National League Championship. Two teams participated, with a total of 49 athletes. Our study's results indicate that, concerning technical performance, no significant differences between halves were found for goalkeepers, wingers, and forwards. However, significant declines were observed in the number of ball contacts, different actions per time, and possessions per time among central defenders, lateral defenders, and central midfielders. Regarding the observed physical load demands, it was noted that in outfield players, there was a significant decline in total distances covered at different speed thresholds, as well as a decrease in the number and distance of acceleration measures, most of which were lower in the second halves compared to the first, irrespective of playing positions. This study contributes to enhancing our understanding of the multifaceted dynamics of soccer performance and provides valuable insights for coaches, players, and researchers aiming to optimize player performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Ética y Cine Journal is the property of Etica y Cine Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Vegueta: Anuario de la Facultad de Geografía e Historia is the property of Vegueta: Anuario de la Facultad de Geografia e Historia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Hardwoods are complex heterogeneous and orthotropic structures that have evolved to the present day, adapting to successive climate episodes to prosper on Earth. Attributing a specific functionality to individual hardwood elements is difficult because of their interconnection in this heterogeneous three-dimensional network. However, tree physiology research is helping to enhance knowledge in this field. This work is a short review of the possible functionalities of hardwood elements, in some cases supported by experimentation and in others by comparative anatomy. It is intended for students or researchers starting out in the world of hardwood anatomy to aid their understanding of the functionality of hardwood elements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The indirect exposure to patients' traumatic experiences may generate contrasting reactions in helping professionals, such as vicarious trauma and vicarious resilience. Theoretical models predict that job stressors facilitate vicarious trauma and reduce vicarious resilience and that personal resources may mediate this relationship. However, there is little empirical research linking some of these variables. This study aims to test: (a) Whether job stressors (family-work conflict, work-family conflict and role conflict) predict personal resources (coping strategies and self-care practices) and reactions to indirect exposure to trauma (vicarious trauma and vicarious resilience); and (b) whether personal resources predict these reactions and mediate their association with job stressors. A convenience sample of 448 social workers from Spain completed an online questionnaire between October 2020 and January 2021. Findings: Structural equation modelling revealed that job stressors generally hindered problem-focused coping and self-care and enabled emotion-focused coping; only vicarious trauma was directly associated with role conflict. Primarily, personal resources predicted the reactions to indirect exposure to trauma and mediated the influence of job stressors in these reactions. Applications: In line with previous research, results support the need for personal and organizational interventions to decrease vicarious trauma and promote vicarious resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Lingüística y Literatura is the property of Universidad de Antioquia, Facultad de Comunicaciones and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This study examined relationships among players’ physical characteristics, match external loads, and heart rate recovery (HRR) during match substitutions in a congested fixture of an overseas futsal training camp. Eleven under-20 national futsal players’ anthropometric characteristics (age, body height, body mass, % fat, and % muscle) and physical fitness [HRmax, VO2max, maximal aerobic speed (MAS) during the 30–15 intermittent fitness test (IFT)] were determined. Additionally, locomotion profiles during field play and HRR sitting on the bench were recorded during five matches. A repeated-measures analysis of variance and Pearson's correlation coefficient were used for statistical analysis. The results revealed that the overall observed correlations among anthropometry, body composition, physical fitness, and HRR were inconsistent across all the matches and substitutions. However, the numbers of moderate (1.00–1.99 m/s²), moderate-to-high (2.00–2.99 m/s²), and high (3.00–50.00 m/s²) intensities of acceleration presented negative correlations in the last match (r < −0.76; p < 0.05). HRR during match substitutions may have been influenced by uncontrolled factors across all the match play and recovery. HRR measures may be affected mainly by fatigue caused by the accumulation of accelerations throughout a congested fixture during a congested-schedule of a futsal training camp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we analyze the results for the ground state of a Klein–Gordon oscillator under gravitational effects in a topologically charged Ellis–Bronnikov wormhole derived recently. We show that the authors failed to truncate a power-series and, consequently, could not obtain the desired solution to a differential equation. For this reason, their analytical expression for the ground-state eigenvalue is incorrect, a fact that affects all the conclusions drawn by the authors for the physical problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the dynamic landscape of autonomous transport, the integration of intelligent transport systems and embedded control technology is pivotal. While strides have been made in the development of autonomous agents and multi-agent systems, the unique challenges posed by two-wheeled vehicles remain largely unaddressed. Dedicated control strategies for these vehicles have yet to be developed. The vertical balance of an autonomous two-wheeled single-track vehicle is a challenge for engineering. This type of vehicle is unstable and its dynamic behaviour changes with the forward velocity. We designed a scheduled-gain proportional–integral controller that adapts its gains to the forward velocity, maintaining the vertical balance of the vehicle by means of the steering front-wheel angle. The control law was tested with a prototype designed by the authors under different scenarios, smooth and uneven floors, maintaining the vertical balance in all cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In swimming, the underwater phase after the start and turn comprises gliding and dolphin kicking, with the latter also known as underwater undulatory swimming (UUS). Swimming performance is highly dependent on the underwater phase; therefore, understanding the training effects in UUS and underwater gliding can be critical for swimmers and coaches. Further, the development of technique in young swimmers can lead to exponential benefits in an athlete's career. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a training protocol on UUS and underwater gliding performance and kinematics in young swimmers. Seventeen age group swimmers (boys = 10, girls = 7) performed maximal UUS and underwater gliding efforts before and after a seven-week training protocol. Time to reach 10 m; intra-cyclic mean, peak, and minimum velocities; and gliding performance improved significantly after the training protocol. The UUS performance improvement was mostly produced by an improvement of the upbeat execution, together with a likely reduction of swimmers' hydrodynamic drag. Despite the changes in UUS and gliding, performance was also likely influenced by growth. The findings from this study highlight kinematic variables that can be used to understand and quantify changes in UUS and gliding performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biological matrices are typically used in forensic toxicological or pharmacological analysis: mainly blood, vitreous humor or urine. However, there are many cases in which crimes are a consequence of drug intoxication or drug abuse and they are not closed because over the months or years the samples become altered or decomposed. A dried blood stains test (DBS-MS) has recently been proposed to be used in drug toxicology when blood is found at a crime scene. This test could help an investigator to reveal what a person had consumed before the perpetration of the crime. In order to check the possibilities of this test, we analyzed several dried blood stains located on a cotton fabric. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine if the analysis of a dried blood spot located on a cotton fabric could be an alternate source of obtaining toxicological results, particularly regarding benzodiazepines. We splashed blood stains on cotton fabric with different concentrations of the following benzodiazepines: alprazolam, bromazepam, clonazepam, diazepam and lorazepam, which were dried for 96 h and subsequently quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS). Our results show that it is possible to identify several benzodiazepines contained in a cotton fabric blood stain; consequently, this method may add another sample option to the toxicological analysis of biological vestiges found at a crime scene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to analyze the acute effects of an incremental resistance test on psychomotor vigilance in 16 soccer players under-19 years old (age 16.42 ± 0.85 years). Borg 15-point subjective perception of effort scale, the psychomotor vigilance task test, and the Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test were used. Four evaluation sessions were conducted with different intensities of efforts (30%-40%, 60%-75%, 80%-90%, and 100%) on different days (counterbalanced order). A repeated-measures analysis of variance was performed in the reaction time of the psychomotor vigilance task. The results showed that participants responded faster during efforts between 80% and 90% of maximal oxygen uptake (501.20 ± 70.77 ms). From that threshold, the players decreased their performance through a longer reaction time (601.23 ± 85.05 ms; p value < .001). The main findings were that the reaction time performance was worse at the lowest and highest effort conditions (5 and 17 km/hr, respectively). This fact helps to focus on the importance of designing and proposing training tasks with medium-high efforts to provoke optimal reaction times in young soccer players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For this research, we analyzed the immediate effects of warm-up condition (WC) or without warm-up condition (WWC) on amateur referees' physical and cognitive functioning. Eight professional soccer referees from the Balearic Committee of Football Referees were the participants of this study. Body composition characteristics were measured and the scores on three tests were recorded: the Yo-Yo intermittent recovery, repeated-sprint ability, and psychomotor vigilance task. Regarding results, the psychomotor vigilance task was performed better after warm-up training (p = .002, η2 = .79) with faster reaction times following WC (M = 318.2, SD = 27.1 ms) than WWC (M = 334.9, SD = 26.1). Similarly, the referees' performance was better on the repeated-sprint ability test after WC (p = .002, d = 0.53) than WWC, with minimum and average power values higher after WC (M = 626.77, SD = 112.57) than WWC (M = 562.35, SD = 79.63). We conclude that re-warm-up training may mitigate the vigilance performance changes caused by effects of rest on soccer referees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To assess changes in swimming performance, anthropometrics, kinematics, energetics, and strength after 5-week training cessation. Methods: Twenty-one trained and highly trained swimmers (13 males: 17.4 [3.1] y; 50-m front crawl 463 [77] FINA points; 8 females: 16.7 [1.7] y; 50-m front crawl 535 [48] FINA points) performed a 50-m front-crawl all-out swim test, dryland and pool-based strength tests, and 10-, 15-, 20-, and 25-m front-crawl all-out efforts for anaerobic critical velocity assessment before and after a 5-week training cessation. Heart rate and oxygen uptake ( V ˙ O 2 ) were continuously measured before and after the 50-m swim test (off-kinetics). Results: Performance was impaired 1.9% (0.54 s) for males (P =.007, d = 0.91) and 2.9% (0.89 s) for females (P =.033, d = 0.93). Neither the anthropometrical changes (males: r2 =.516, P =.077; females: r2 =.096, P =.930) nor the physical activities that each participant performed during the off-season (males: r2 =.060, P =.900; females: r2 =.250, P =.734) attenuated performance impairments. Stroke rate and clean swimming speed decreased (P <.05), despite similar stroke length and stroke index (P >.05). Blood lactate concentrations remained similar (P >.05), but V ˙ O 2 peak decreased in females (P =.04, d = 0.85). Both sexes showed higher heart rate before and after the 50-m swim test after 5 weeks (P <.05). Anaerobic metabolic power deterioration was only observed in males (P =.035, d = 0.65). Lower in-water force during tethered swimming at zero speed was observed in males (P =.033, d = 0.69). Regarding dryland strength, lower-body impairments were observed for males, while females showed upper-body impairments (P <.05). Conclusions: A 5-week training cessation yielded higher heart rate in the 50-m front crawl, anaerobic pathways, and dryland strength impairments. Coaches should find alternatives to minimize detraining effects during the off-season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The progressive substitution of traditional buses with electric ones in urban public transport constitutes a fundamental challenge towards sustainable mobility. This paper presents a methodological approach to assess energy consumption in urban bus networks, focusing on a city with varied topography and examining alternative bus lines for similar trips. Utilizing a quasi-static longitudinal model, real GPS data, and open access terrain models, the analysis aims to provide a nuanced understanding of energy performance, considering factors such as stop characteristics, gradients, and driving styles. The influence of driving style on commercial speed is observed to be modest, yet significant, in terms of energy efficiency. This research identifies the most advantageous line for transitioning from Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) to Electric Motor (EM) powertrains, resulting in a significant 68% reduction in energy consumption. Beyond specific line details, this methodology offers insights applicable to medium-sized cities, emphasizing efficient route prioritization and providing enhanced user information for informed decisions in the context of sustainable transportation solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Danon disease is a lysosomal storage disorder with X-linked inheritance. The classic triad is severe hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, myopathy, and intellectual disability, with different phenotypes between both genders. Ischemic stroke is an uncommon complication, mostly cardioembolic, related to intraventricular thrombus or atrial fibrillation, among others. Case report: We report the case of a 14-year-old Caucasian male patient with Danon disease who suffered from an acute ischemic stroke due to occlusion in the M1 segment of the middle cerebral artery. He underwent mechanical thrombectomy, resulting in successful revascularization with satisfactory clinical outcome. We objectified the intraventricular thrombus in the absence of arrhythmic events. Conclusion: To our knowledge, we report the first case of ischemic stroke related to Danon disease treated with endovascular treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the quest to advance fuel cell technologies has intensified, driven by the imperative to reduce reliance on hydrocarbon-derived fuels and mitigate pollutant emissions. Proton exchange membranes are a critical material of fuel cell technologies. The potential of ionic liquid-based polymer inclusion membranes or ionogels for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) has recently appeared. Thermal stability, SEM-EDX characterization, NMR and IR characterization, thermogravimetric analysis, ion exchange capacity, and water uptake are key properties of these membranes which need to be investigated. In this work, ionogel based on quaternary ammonium salts, such as [N8,8,8,1+][Cl−], [N8,8,8,1+][Br−], and [N8-10,8-10,8-10,1+][Cl−] in various compositions with poly(vinyl chloride) are extensively studied and characterized based on those key properties. The best properties were obtained when a quaternary ammonium cation was combined with a bromide anion. Finally, ionogels are tested in microbial fuel cells. Microbial fuel cells based on the ionogel reach a maximum of 147 mW/m2, which represents 55% of the reference membrane (Nafion 212). These results indicate that we still have the possibility of improvement through the appropriate selection of the cation and anion of the ionic liquid. Overall, the promise of ionogel membranes as a viable alternative in fuel cell applications has been demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work we study some topological aspects of function spaces arising in Stieltjes differential calculus. Chief among them are compactness results related to the Ascoli–Arzelà and Kolmogorov–Riesz theorems, as well as their applications to Stieltjes-Sobolev spaces and decomposable functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is an editorial for a special issue of the journal Pharmaceutics on the topic of engineering and characterizing novel nanomedicine formulations. Nanomedicine involves the use of nanotechnology to improve drug delivery and target specific tissues while minimizing adverse effects. The special issue includes 13 articles covering various nanosystems, such as nanoparticles, liposomes, dendrimers, and metal complexes. The articles discuss the development and evaluation of these nanosystems for applications such as improving drug permeation through the skin, delivering oligonucleotides for cancer treatment, and enhancing the efficacy of antineoplastics in solid tumors. The issue also explores the potential of nanocarriers in vaccine development and the challenges of clinical translation of nanomedicines. [Extracted from the article]

The objective of the current study was to explore the correlation between repeated sprint sets (RSS) ability and several physical attributes, including maximum sprint speed, maximal aerobic speed, maximal anaerobic speed, aerobic capacity, and explosive strength. Moreover, the aim was to assess the suitability of RSS as a comprehensive evaluation tool for physical qualities and to determine which physical field tests most accurately predict RSS in elite young male soccer players. A total of thirty-two young elite male soccer players (mean age 14.6 ± 0.3 years; predicted years from peak height velocity (PHV): − 0.4 ± 0.3; years in training: 3.7 ± 0.5) voluntarily participated in the study. The players participated in eight consecutive specific physical tests, with a minimum 72-h recovery between each session to minimize the impact of fatigue during the second trial. The participants completed the tests in the following order: RSS test, Vam-Eval test, a constant velocity test performed until exhaustion at 100% of vVO2max (tlim100), 20-m Multi-Stage Shuttle Run test (VMSRT), Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test level 1 (Yo-Yo IR1), Maximal Anaerobic Shuttle Running Test (VMASRT), Maximal Sprinting Speed Test (20-m flying sprint), Countermovement Jump (CMJ), and Standing Long Jump test (SLJ). The results of the study showed that there were very large negative correlations between tlim100 and SST (sum of sprint times), and large negative correlations between Yo-Yo IR1, Vam-Eval, and SST during RSS in young elite male soccer players (p < 0.05). Additionally, VMASRT and SLJ demonstrated a moderate negative correlation with SST (p < 0.05). In contrast, significant positive correlations were found between 20-m flying sprint and the SST (p < 0.05). According to the stepwise multiple linear regression analysis, the primary predictors of SST, ranked by importance, were tlim100 and Yo-Yo IR1. These two predictors collectively accounted for 72% of the variance in players' SST (p < 0.0001). Due to the importance of aerobic capacity and short repeated accelerations/sprint sets for overall competitive performance in soccer, in conclusion, our results suggest that elite young male soccer players should perform both high intensity interval training and aeorobic capactity exercises as part of soccer training if the primary outcome is to improve repeated sprint ability performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To compare complications associated with percutaneous gastrostomies performed using PUSH and PULL techniques, whether endoscopic (PEG) or radiological (PRG), in a tertiary-level hospital. Methods: This was a prospective observational study. Adult patients who underwent percutaneous PULL or PUSH gastrostomy using PEG or PRG techniques at the Virgen del Rocio University Hospital and subsequently followed up in the Nutrition Unit between 2009–2020 were included. X2 tests or Fisher's test were used for the comparison of proportions when necessary. Univariate analysis was conducted to study risk factors for PRG-associated complications. Results: n = 423 (PULL = 181; PUSH = 242). The PULL technique was associated with a higher percentage of total complications (37.6% vs. 23.8%; p = 0.005), exudate (18.2% vs. 11.2%; p = 0.039), and irritation (3.3% vs. 0%; p = 0.006). In the total sample, there were 5 (1.1%) cases of peritonitis, 3 (0.7%) gastrocolic fistulas, and 1 (0.2%) death due to complications associated with gastrostomy. Gender, age, and different indications were not risk factors for a higher number of complications. The most common indications were neurological diseases (35.9%), head and neck cancer (29%), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (17.2%). Conclusions: The PULL technique was associated with more total complications than the PUSH technique, but both were shown to be safe techniques, as the majority of complications were minor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Vast majority of helminth diseases remain neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), causing significant morbidity. The widespread and periodic distribution of antiparasitic drugs, remains the cornerstone for controlling these diseases. In Spain, most helminthiasis cases are imported, and suspicion and diagnosis have become increasingly important. Our primary objective is to present the epidemiological landscape of helminthiasis diagnoses within our facility, while also detailing the demographic characteristics of the affected population. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted at the Hospital Universitario Severo Ochoa (HUSO) from January 1, 2007, to December 31, 2020, encompassing all diagnosed cases of helminthiasis during this period. Comprehensive epidemiological, clinical, and microbiological data were gathered for all diagnosed patients. The study population comprised patients receiving treatment at the HUSO, as well as those receiving treatment at the Leganés and Fuenlabrada Primary Care Units. Subsequently, descriptive and comparative statistics were performed, comparing Spanish and foreign patients. Results: During this period, a total of 952 patients were diagnosed with some form of helminthiasis. Among them, 495 were Spanish, and 457 were foreign. The total number of helminths identified, including patients with multiple infections, was 1,010. Significant differences were observed between Africans and Americans in terms of age distribution, with a higher prevalence among Africans in the 0–15 age range and among Americans in the 31–60 age range. Variations were noted in the distribution of helminths, with S. stercoralis significantly affecting Americans. For Spanish patients, the presence of Trichuris trichiura and S. stercoralis was significantly associated with eosinophilia, whereas among foreign patients, it was associated with Trichuris trichiura, Ascaris lumbricoides among others. Regarding symptoms, skin manifestations were more frequent among Spanish, while digestive were more common among foreigners. Conclusions: This study offers crucial epidemiological insights into helminth infections observed over time in a Madrid hospital. Although the prevalence of helminth infections has been decreasing, there is still a need for screening and diagnosing foreign patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the discovery of extracorporeal lithotripsy, there has been an increased interest in studying shock wave-induced cavitation, both to improve this technique and to explore novel biotechnological applications. As shock waves propagate through fluids, pre-existing microbubbles undergo expansion and collapse, emitting high-speed microjets. These microjets play a crucial role in the pulverization of urinary stones during lithotripsy and have been utilized in the delivery of drugs and genetic materials into cells. Their intensity can be amplified using tandem shock waves, generated so that the second wave reaches the bubbles, expanded by the first wave, during their collapse. Nevertheless, there is little information regarding the control of microjet emissions. This study aimed to demonstrate that specific effects can be obtained by tuning the delay between the first and second shock waves. Suspensions containing Aspergillus niger, a microscopic fungus that produces metabolites with high commercial value, were exposed to single-pulse and tandem shock waves. Morphological changes were analyzed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Proteins released into the medium after shock wave exposure were also studied. Our findings suggest that, with enhanced control over cavitation, the detachment of proteins using conventional methods could be significantly optimized in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]