Search

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.)

In order to improve the accuracy of gaze tracking in real-time, various attention mechanisms and long short-term memory (LSTM) networks for dynamic continuous video frames are studied in-depth in the paper. A real-time gaze-tracking method (SpatiotemporalAM) based on attention mechanism and bidirectional LSTM (Bi-LSTM) is proposed. Firstly, convolutional neural networks (CNNs) are employed to extract the spatial features of each image. Then, Bi-LSTM is adopted to obtain the dynamic temporal features between continuous frames to leverage the past and future context information. After that, the extracted spatiotemporal features are fused by the output attention mechanism (OAM), which improves the accuracy of gaze tracking. The models with OAM are compared with those with self-attention mechanism (SAM), which confirms the advantages of the former in accuracy and real-time performance. At the same time, a series of measures are taken to improve the accuracy, such as using cosine similarity in the loss function and ResNet50 with bottleneck residual blocks as the baseline network. A large number of experiments are performed on the Gaze360 and GazeCapture of public gaze tracking databases to verify the effectiveness, real-time performance, and generalization ability of the proposed gaze tracking approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uncertainty-aware soft sensors in sign language recognition (SLR) integrate methods to quantify and manage the uncertainty in their predictions. This is particularly crucial in SLR due to the variability in sign language gestures and differences in individual signing styles. Managing uncertainty allows the system to handle variations in signing styles, lighting conditions, and occlusions more effectively. While current techniques for handling uncertainty in SLR systems offer significant benefits in terms of improved accuracy and robustness, they also come with notable disadvantages. High computational complexity, data dependency, scalability issues, sensor and environmental limitations, and real-time constraints all pose significant hurdles. The aim of the work is to develop and evaluate a Type-2 Neutrosophic Hidden Markov Model (HMM) for SLR that leverages the advanced uncertainty handling capabilities of Type-2 neutrosophic sets. In the suggested soft sensor model, the Foot of Uncertainty (FOU) allows Type-2 Neutrosophic HMMs to represent uncertainty as intervals, capturing the range of possible values for truth, falsity, and indeterminacy. This is especially useful in SLR, where gestures can be ambiguous or imprecise. This enhances the model's ability to manage complex uncertainties in sign language gestures and mitigate issues related to model drift. The FOU provides a measure of confidence for each recognition result by indicating the range of uncertainty. By effectively addressing uncertainty and enhancing subject independence, the model can be integrated into real-life applications, improving interactions, learning, and accessibility for the hearing-impaired. Examples such as assistive devices, educational tools, and customer service automation highlight its transformative potential. The experimental evaluation demonstrates the superiority of the Type-2 Neutrosophic HMM over the Type-1 Neutrosophic HMM in terms of accuracy for SLR. Specifically, the Type-2 Neutrosophic HMM consistently outperforms its Type-1 counterpart across various test scenarios, achieving an average accuracy improvement of 10%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sign language (SL) is a means of communication that is used to bridge the gap between the deaf, hearing-impaired, and others. For Arabic speakers who are hard of hearing or deaf, Arabic Sign Language (ArSL) is a form of nonverbal communication. The development of effective Arabic sign language recognition (ArSLR) tools helps facilitate this communication, especially for people who are not familiar with ArSLR. Although researchers have investigated various machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) methods and techniques that affect the performance of ArSLR systems, a systematic review of these methods is lacking. The objectives of this study are to present a comprehensive overview of research on ArSL recognition and present insights from previous research papers. In this study, a systematic literature review of ArSLR based on ML/DL methods and techniques published between 2014 and 2023 is conducted. Three online databases are used: Web of Science (WoS), IEEE Xplore, and Scopus. Each study has undergone the proper screening processes, which include inclusion and exclusion criteria. Throughout this systematic review, PRISMA guidelines have been appropriately followed and applied. The results of this screening are divided into two parts: analysis of all the datasets utilized in the reviewed papers, underscoring their characteristics and importance, and discussion of the ML/DL techniques' potential and limitations. From the 56 articles included in this study, it was noticed that most of the research papers focus on fingerspelling and isolated word recognition rather than continuous sentence recognition, and the vast majority of them are vision-based approaches. The challenges remaining in the field and future research directions in this area of study are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading causes of death worldwide. A healthy diet has an important role in delaying the development of many modifiable risk factors of CVD, including abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, high plasma levels of cholesterol, and glucose. The consumption of various nuts, especially walnuts, may benefit both primary and secondary prevention due to their bioactive components. This review focuses on (1) the protective role of walnut consumption on CVD at large (2) and the potential cellular and molecular mechanisms by which they have beneficial effects on vascular endothelial function. Walnuts contain many essential ingredients (such as polyunsaturated fatty acids, phenolic compounds, and vitamin E) necessary for the healthy functioning of membranes. Since membranes are involved in nearly all processes associated with life-related function, the main underlying mechanism of walnut-improved cardiovascular function is likely based on improving membrane composition and function by providing all of the substrates necessary for membranes, such as cell, mitochondria, Golgi, nucleus, and so on. In addition to endothelial cell function, all other cells and membranes are likely to benefit from walnut consumption, suggesting that incorporating walnuts into the human diet is essential, for example, during higher physical and mental demand, such as exercise, and may mitigate the risk for the development of cardiovascular diseases and compensate for the sedentary lifestyle, especially in those of an older age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the European Union, regulations and policies have been established to prevent and manage invasive alien species (IAS). The EU Regulation 1143/2014/EC, commonly known as the IAS Regulation, identifies species that pose significant ecological risks, requiring a coordinated response across all EU Member States. These species are classified as "species of Union concern" based on thorough risk assessments and standardized procedures within the EU. Accordingly, species are included in The List of Invasive Alien Species of Union Concern (the Union list), which is subject to regular updates through continuous species evaluations. Currently, the majority of the species on this list are terrestrial and freshwater with few marine species represented. The primary aim of this paper is to review the procedure for the inclusion of species in the Union list. The steps for inclusion are outlined by the IAS Regulation and associated legislation, which govern the risk assessment process. In addition, this paper synthesizes available scientific literature and official documents to summarize the impacts of Plotosus lineatus and Rugulopteryx okamurae on biodiversity and ecosystem services. The potential for future updates to the Union list is currently under consideration, and some marine species are within. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Speech impairment limits a person's capacity for oral and auditory communication. Improvements in communication between the deaf and the general public can be progressed by a real-time sign language detector. Recent studies have contributed to make progress in motion and gesture identification processes using Deep Learning (DL) methods and computer vision. But the development of static and dynamic sign language recognition (SLR) models is still a challenging area of research. The difficulty is in obtaining an appropriate model that addresses the challenges of continuous signs that are independent of the signer. Different signers' speeds, durations, and many other factors make it challenging to create a model with high accuracy and continuity. This study mainly focused on SLR using a modified DL and hybrid optimization approach. Notably, spatial and geometric-based features are extracted via the Visual Geometry Group 16 (VGG16), and motion features are extracted using the optical flow approach. A new DL model, CNNSa-LSTM, is a combination of a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), Self-Attention (SA), and Long-Short-Term Memory (LSTM) to identify sign language. This model is developed for feature extraction by combining CNNs for spatial analysis with SA mechanisms for focusing on relevant features, while LSTM effectively models temporal dependencies. The proposed CNNSa-LSTM model enhances performance in tasks involving complex, sequential data, such as sign language processing. Besides, a Hybrid Optimizer (HO) is proposed using the Hippopotamus Optimization Algorithm (HOA) and the Pathfinder Algorithm (PFA). The proposed model has been implemented in Python, and it has been evaluated over the existing models in terms of accuracy (98.7%), sensitivity (98.2%), precision (98.5%), Word Error Rate (WER) (0.131), Sign Error Rate (SER) (0.114), and Normalized Discounted Cumulative Gain (NDCG) (98%) as well. The proposed model has recorded the highest accuracy of 98.7%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Agricultural Chemistry & Biotechnology is the property of Egyptian National Agricultural Library (ENAL) 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 and Objectives: Volleyball demands high levels of anaerobic strength, flexibility, agility, and mental focus. Adequate sleep has been shown to enhance athletic performance and cognitive function. This study investigates the impact of post-lunch naps of varying durations (25 and 45 min) on the physiological performance and cognitive focus of elite volleyball players. Materials and Methods: Sixteen elite volleyball players (8 male, 8 female) with at least 7 years of competitive experience participated in a randomized crossover study. They underwent three experimental conditions: no nap (No-Nap), a 25-min nap (N25), and a 45-min nap (N45). Physical performance was measured through counter-movement jumps (CMJ) and volleyball agility tests, while cognitive function was assessed using the D2 attention test. Statistical analysis included repeated measures ANOVA to examine the differences between nap conditions and gender-specific responses. Results: Significant improvements in both physical performance and cognitive focus were observed in the N25 and N45 conditions compared to the No-Nap condition (indicating the effectiveness of short naps in enhancing both physical and mental performance). Males outperformed females in most physical metrics, while females scored higher on the D2 attention test (suggesting possible gender-specific responses to napping). The 25-min nap showed slightly better results in terms of sleep quality and subsequent performance (confirming that shorter naps may be more beneficial). Conclusions: Post-lunch naps, especially of 25 or 45 min, enhance both physiological and cognitive performance in elite volleyball players. These findings suggest that integrating short naps into athletes' training regimens can improve performance and focus, with potential gender-specific benefits. Further research is needed to explore long-term effects and variations across other sports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modern vehicles are increasingly interconnected through various communication channels, which requires secure access for authorized users, the protection of driver assistance and autonomous driving system data, and the assurance of data integrity against misuse or manipulation. While these advancements offer numerous benefits, recent years have exposed many intrusion incidents, revealing vulnerabilities and weaknesses in current systems. To sustain and enhance the performance, quality, and reliability of vehicle systems, software engineers face significant challenges, including in diverse communication channels, software integration, complex testing, compatibility, core reusability, safety and reliability assurance, data privacy, and software security. Addressing cybersecurity risks presents a substantial challenge in finding practical solutions to these issues. This study aims to analyze the current state of research regarding automotive cybersecurity, with a particular focus on four main themes: frameworks and technologies, standards and regulations, monitoring and vulnerability management, and testing and validation. This paper highlights key findings, identifies existing research gaps, and proposes directions for future research that will be useful for both researchers and practitioners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of time-restricted eating (TRE) on neuro-physiological parameters, objective and subjective sleep, pulmonary capacity, and postural balance among women with excess body weight. Methods: Thirty-one participants were assigned to either a TRE group (n = 15, 28.74 ± 9.25 years, 88.32 ± 13.38 kg, and 32.71 ± 5.15 kg/m2), engaging in ad libitum 16 h fasting over a 12-week period, or a control group (CG, n = 16, 36.25 ± 11.52 years, 90.88 ± 19.01 kg, and 33.66 ± 6.18 kg/m2). The assessment of heart rate variability (HRV), spirometric parameters (forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), FEV1/ FVC ratio, objective and subjective sleep assessments employing actigraphy and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, and postural balance using the Y balance test (YBT) were conducted before and after the intervention. Results: No significant negative effects of TRE were observed for HRV and objective sleep parameters. Only the TRE group improved FEV1 in both sitting (p < 0.0005) and supine positions (p = 0.001). Furthermore, the TRE group showed improvement in postural balance performance compared to the CG in anterior (p = 0.03), postero-medial (p = 0.04), and postero-lateral directions (p = 0.003). Conclusion: This study highlights TRE as a feasible and safe dietary intervention with significant improvements in postural balance and pulmonary function, without any negative impact on HRV or objective sleep assessments among overweight or obese women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review offers a comprehensive evaluation of current aspects related to nutritional strategies, brain modulation, and muscle recovery, focusing on their applications and the underlying mechanisms of physiological adaptation for promoting a healthy brain, not only in athletes but also for recreationally active and inactive individuals. We propose that applying the rule, among others, of good sleep, regular exercise, and a properly balanced diet, defined as "SPARKS", will have a beneficial effect on the function and regeneration processes of the gut–brain–muscle axis. However, adopting the formula, among others, of poor sleep, stress, overtraining, and dysbiosis, defined as "SMOULDER", will have a detrimental impact on the function of this axis and consequently on human health as well as on athletes. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for optimizing brain health and cognitive function. This review highlights the significance of these factors for overall well-being, suggesting that adopting the "SPARKS" approach may benefit not only athletes but also older adults and individuals with health conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of allelopathic bacteria to combat weed infestation in crops is regarded as an effective technology for sustainable agriculture and environment. In this regard, six bacterial strains from the genus Pseudomonas were selected for their ability to inhibit the germination and growth of Leptochloa chinensis (L.) and Dactyloctenium aegyptium (L.) while promoting the growth of rice. These strains were applied to the target weeds and rice using different application methods viz. seed priming, liquid application, and foliar application. The results showed that all strains possessed herbicidal activity and significantly reduced growth of L. chinensis. Shoot length, root length, and fresh biomass of D. aegyptium were also significantly reduced in all strains by 60, 55, and 76%, respectively, with the exception of R15-4. Additionally, the growth suppression of both weed species was more prominent in the liquid application. The selected allelopathic strains also demonstrated plant growth-promoting traits and improved the growth and physiological parameters of rice in all three application methods, with the best results achieved with liquid and foliar applications. The survival efficiency of the bacterial strains was also tested using four different carrier materials, where the press mud was found the best carrier for controlling L. chinensis and D. aegyptium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cybersecurity has become a central concern in the contemporary digital era due to the exponential increase in cyber threats. These threats, ranging from simple malware to advanced persistent attacks, put individuals and organizations at risk. This study explores the potential of artificial intelligence to detect anomalies in network traffic in a university environment. The effectiveness of automatic detection of unconventional activities was evaluated through extensive simulations and advanced artificial intelligence models. In addition, the importance of cybersecurity awareness and education is highlighted, introducing CyberEduPlatform, a tool designed to improve users’ cyber awareness. The results indicate that, while AI models show high precision in detecting anomalies, complementary education and awareness play a crucial role in fortifying the first lines of defense against cyber threats. This research highlights the need for an integrated approach to cybersecurity, combining advanced technological solutions with robust educational strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Sports Sciences Research / Spor Bilimleri Araştırmaları Dergisi is the property of Journal of Sport Sciences Researches / Spor Bilimleri Arastirmalari Dergisi 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 Nigde University Journal of Physical Education & Sport Sciences / Nigde Üniversitesi Beden Egitimi ve Spor Bilimleri Dergisi is the property of Journal of Physical Education & Sports Science 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.)

Professional athletes competing in the NBA are frequently exposed to time-zone-shifting travels. These time zone changes may cause circadian rhythm (CR) phase shifts and these shifts affect sportive performance. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of CR phase shifts on the performance of NBA teams. 25016 regular season games across 21 consecutive seasons were included in the CR phase shift calculations. To examine the CR phase shift effect on team performance, teams were divided into three groups regarding Coordinated Universal Time (UTC): the same internal UTC as the local UTC (LS); the internal UTC ahead of the local UTC (LA); and the internal UTC behind the local UTC (LB). With a different approach, teams were divided into another three categories: the same internal UTC as its opponent's internal UTC (OS); the internal UTC ahead of its opponent's internal UTC (OA); and the internal UTC behind its opponent's internal UTC (OB). 24985 game data were used to compare these groups in terms of 25 variables. Statistical analyses were conducted separately for home and away teams. For home games, it was found that LA and OA are the most and LB is the least successful group in winning and scoring performances. For away games, it was determined that LS is the most advantageous group with the best winning percentage. These results revealed that teams from more west may have a CR advantage in regular season home games. However, it is thought that the performance of away teams depends more on travel fatigue than CR phase shifts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poor sleep quality, a global public health concern, poses a significant burden on individuals, particularly health care university students facing intense academic stress. A three-center cross-sectional study was conducted at the Higher Institute of Nursing and Health Sciences in Tetouan (Morocco), Faculty of Medicine in Tangier (Morocco) and Faculty of Nursing in Valencia (Spain). We collected various data using a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Pittsburgh sleep quality questionnaire, the international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ) and the smartphone addiction questionnaire short-version (SAS-SV). A total of 1210 students were included in our study (mean age 20.4 years, 67.2% female, nursing students (66.2%) and medical students (33.8%), 76.1% students from Morocco and 33.9% from Spain). Analysis revealed a higher prevalence of poor sleep quality among Moroccans students compared to Spanish ones (p < 0.001), that nursing students showed less favorable sleep quality than medical students (p < 0.011) and that living with a chronic disease was linked to less favorable sleep quality (p < 0.001). Lastly, intense or weak physical activity and smartphone addiction were correlated with poor sleep quality (p < 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, an association persisted between poor sleep quality and factors such as the country of study (Odds ratio (OR): 6.25 [95% Confidence Interval (CI): 4.34–9.09]), involvement in nursing studies (OR: 3.50 [95% CI: 2.36–5.27]), and the presence of chronic diseases (OR: 2.70 [95% CI: 1.72–4.16]), (p < 0.01 each). Our findings highlight the multifaceted factors affecting sleep quality in young university students. The implications underscore the imperative of interventions tailored to this demographic group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melatonin (N-acetyl-5 methoxytryptamine) is an indolic neurohormone that modulates a variety of physiological functions due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunoregulatory properties. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to critically review the effects of melatonin supplementation in sports performance and circulating biomarkers related to the health status of highly trained athletes. Data were obtained by performing searches in the following three bibliography databases: Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus. The terms used were "Highly Trained Athletes", "Melatonin", and "Sports Performance", "Health Biomarkers" using "Humans" as a filter. The search update was carried out in February 2024 from original articles published with a controlled trial design. The PRISMA rules, the modified McMaster critical review form for quantitative studies, the PEDro scale, and the Cochrane risk of bias were applied. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 21 articles were selected out of 294 references. The dose of melatonin supplemented in the trials ranged between 5 mg to 100 mg administered before or after exercise. The outcomes showed improvements in antioxidant status and inflammatory response and reversed liver damage and muscle damage. Moderate effects on modulating glycemia, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and creatinine were reported. Promising data were found regarding the potential benefits of melatonin in hematological biomarkers, hormonal responses, and sports performance. Therefore, the true efficiency of melatonin to directly improve sports performance remains to be assessed. Nevertheless, an indirect effect of melatonin supplementation in sports performance could be evaluated through improvements in health biomarkers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Changes in parasite virulence are commonly expected to lead to trade-offs in other life history traits that can affect fitness. Understanding these trade-offs is particularly important if we want to manipulate the virulence of microbial biological control agents. Theoretically, selection across different spatial scales, i.e. between- and within-hosts, shapes these trade-offs. However, trade-offs are also dependent on parasite biology. Despite their applied importance the evolution of virulence in fungal parasites is poorly understood: virulence can be unstable in culture and commonly fails to increase in simple passage experiments. We hypothesized that manipulating selection intensity at different scales would reveal virulence trade-offs in a fungal pathogen of aphids, Akanthomyces muscarius. Starting with a genetically diverse stock we selected for speed of kill, parasite yield or infectivity by manipulating competition within and between hosts and between-populations of hosts over 7 rounds of infection. We characterized ancestral and evolved lineages by whole genome sequencing and by measuring virulence, growth rate, sporulation and fitness. While several lineages showed increases in virulence, we saw none of the trade-offs commonly found in obligately-killing parasites. Phenotypically similar lineages within treatments often shared multiple single-nucleotide variants, indicating strong convergent evolution. The most dramatic phenotypic changes were in timing of sporulation and spore production in vitro. We found that early sporulation led to reduced competitive fitness but could increase yield of spores on media, a trade-off characteristic of social conflict. Notably, the selection regime with strongest between-population competition and lowest genetic diversity produced the most consistent shift to early sporulation, as predicted by social evolution theory. Multi-level selection therefore revealed social interactions novel to fungi and showed that these biocontrol agents have the genomic flexibility to improve multiple traits—virulence and spore production—that are often in conflict in other parasites. Author summary: Understanding the ecological forces that shape virulence is a key challenge in evolutionary biology. Here we investigated how competition at different levels of selection (within-hosts, between-hosts, between populations) could alter investment in virulence in a fungal entomopathogen. We predicted that cooperative investment in virulence would increase at higher scales of competition and aimed to further our understanding of potential trade-offs shaping life-history of a fungal insect pathogens. We found moderate increases in virulence in different selection regimes. Importantly, we did not find commonly expected trade-offs, such as that between spore production and virulence or a trade-off between virulence and growth rate that is consistent with cooperation. However, we found convergent genetic changes and significant differences in timing and production of spores, dependent on how we manipulated scales of selection. Our data suggests that this is driven by social conflict regarding the timing of sporulation. This carries fundamental importance for understanding how varying selection pressure at different scales shape pathogen life history. In addition, these results also have applied importance for understanding how to improve and select for beneficial traits in biocontrol agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exercise performance tends to suffer during the morning compared to the evening, which may decrease potential training adaptations. Currently, it is unclear how nutritional interventions may affect this phenomenon and whether supplementation may allow for the attainment of optimal performance regardless of the time of day. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of acute yohimbine ingestion on morning-associated decrements in performance and psychophysiological responses to exercise. Physically active females (n = 16) were recruited to participate in three total visits, each with a different treatment: (1) placebo-morning (PL-AM), (2) yohimbine-morning (YHM-AM; oral 2.5 mg), and (3) placebo-afternoon (PM). The morning and afternoon visits occurred between 7:00–8:00 h and 16:00–17:00 h, respectively. The experimental treatments in the morning were ingested 20 min prior to capillary blood collection, which was completed pre- and post-exercise. Following a warm-up, participants completed a 2000 m time trial on a rowing ergometer. Power output, heart rate (HR), and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were recorded every minute. Time to competition (TTC) and subjective energy, focus, and alertness were documented post-exercise. Pre- and post-exercise blood lactate (La) and plasma hypoxanthine (HX) levels were also assessed. The trials were separated by a 48 h washout period. The results showed that power output (p = 0.010) was lower and TTC (p = 0.003) was significantly slower with PL-AM compared to PM. Furthermore, YHM-AM resulted in higher power output (p = 0.035) and faster TTC (p = 0.007) compared to PL-AM, with no differences compared to PM (p > 0.05). Post-exercise La was significantly lower with YHM-AM compared to PL-AM (p = 0.046) and PM (p = 0.001). Pre-exercise plasma HX, as measured via conversion to xanthine, was significantly higher with PM (p = 0.039), while the levels trended higher with YHM-AM (p = 0.060) compared to PL-AM. Subjective energy was higher with YHM-AM (p = 0.045) and PM (p = 0.009) compared to PL-AM, while alertness was only higher for YHM-AM compared to PL-AM (p = 0.045). No statistical differences between the treatments were found for RPE or HR (p > 0.05). These findings indicate that YHM ingestion attenuates performance decrements in the morning. Improvements in performance may be underpinned by improved feelings of energy and alterations in metabolism. Practically, YHM may represent an effective ergogenic aid to combat a lack of energy and low performance during the morning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The study aimed to identify if Ramadan fasting and sport detraining affect complete blood count (C.B.C), testosterone and biochemistry variables among soccer players. Method: The researchers used a quasi-experimental method in the pre- and post-measurements of the study's variables, and 15 male athletes from the Faraon football club in the Tulkarm region of the State of Palestine conducted the study. Athletes (age, 19.86±1.64 years, Height (cm) 172.06±5.71, Weight (kg) 66.93±6.86, index: 24.62 ±1.4 kg/m²) was determined as. The measurements were applied on the first day of Ramadan and on the last day of it. Paired sample t-test was used to assess the differences. Results: There are statistically significant differences between pre and post-tests means of Blood (CBC) parameters (WBC: t=2.553, p=0.023*; HGB: t=2.265, p=0.040*; RDW: t=-3.606, p=0.003*; MPV: t=-3.445, p=0.004*) but there are no statistically significant differences between pre and post-test for the rest of Blood (CBC) parameters. There are statistically significant differences between pre and post-tests means of Testosterone Hormone (TH: t=3.024, p=0.009*). There are statistically significantdifferences between pre and post-tests means for biochemistry parameters (CPK: t=4.169, p=0.001*; HDL: t=4.017, p=0.001*; LDL: t=-4.805, p=0.000*; cholesterol: t=-3.891, p=0.002* and triglyceride: t=-2.362, p=0.033*) in favor to post-test mean. But there are no statistically significant differences between for the rest of the biochemistry parameters. Conclusion: This indicates that Ramadan fasting and sport detraining completely has a negative impact on the study variables among soccer players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Circadian rhythms play a pivotal role in governing various physiological processes, including physical performance. However, in individuals deprived of light perception, such as the blind, these circadian rhythms face disruption. This study aimed to explore the influence of disturbed circadian rhythms on short-term maximal physical performance in children and adolescents with visual impairment. Forty-five volunteers participated in this study, comprising 17 blind, 13 visually impaired, and 15 sighted participants. The participants underwent a series of tests assessing maximal isometric strength performance across two days. To mitigate the influence of morning session fatigue on the evening results, each participant group performed in two separate testing sessions (i.e. in the morning (7:00 h) and in the evening (17:00 h)) on non-consecutive days in a randomized and counterbalanced setting, with approximately 36 h of recovery time between sessions. To mitigate the impact of inter-individual differences on mean values and to account for the influence of age and sex on the studied variables, data were normalized. The outcomes revealed a significant diurnal variation in maximal isometric strength performance among sighted individuals, with peak performance observed in the evening. This pattern aligns with their well-entrained circadian rhythm. In contrast, blind and visually impaired individuals did not display significant diurnal variation, signaling disrupted circadian rhythms due to the absence of light perception. These findings emphasize the crucial consideration of circadian rhythms in assessments of physical performance, especially among participants with visual impairments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Convolutional neural networks (CNN) have provided great advances for the task of sign language recognition (SLR). However, recurrent neural networks (RNN) in the form of long–short-term memory (LSTM) have become a means for providing solutions to problems involving sequential data. This research proposes the development of a sign language translation system that converts Panamanian Sign Language (PSL) signs into text in Spanish using an LSTM model that, among many things, makes it possible to work with non-static signs (as sequential data). The deep learning model presented focuses on action detection, in this case, the execution of the signs. This involves processing in a precise manner the frames in which a sign language gesture is made. The proposal is a holistic solution that considers, in addition to the seeking of the hands of the speaker, the face and pose determinants. These were added due to the fact that when communicating through sign languages, other visual characteristics matter beyond hand gestures. For the training of this system, a data set of 330 videos (of 30 frames each) for five possible classes (different signs considered) was created. The model was tested having an accuracy of 98.8%, making this a valuable base system for effective communication between PSL users and Spanish speakers. In conclusion, this work provides an improvement of the state of the art for PSL–Spanish translation by using the possibilities of translatable signs via deep learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Caffeine (CAF) is among the most extensively researched dietary supplements worldwide. However, little is known about the relationship between dosage and performance enhancement, particularly in female athletes. This study aimed to explore the effects of three different CAF dosages (3 mg·kg−1, 6 mg·kg−1, and 9 mg·kg−1) on high-intensity exercise and the prevalence of undesirable side effects related to these doses among female team-sports athletes. All participants (n = 16; age: 16.9 ± 0.6 y; height: 1.64 ± 0.1 m; BMI: 21.6 ± 1.5 kg·m−2) were mild CAF consumers. This study had a randomized, crossover, double-blind design in which each athlete performed four experimental sessions after ingesting either a placebo (PLAC), 3 mg·kg−1 CAF (CAF-3), 6 mg·kg−1 CAF (CAF-6), or 9 mg·kg−1 of CAF (CAF-9), with an in-between washout period of at least 72 h. In each experimental session, 60 min after ingesting the capsules, participants underwent a countermovement jumps test (CMJ), modified agility t-test (MATT), repeated sprint ability (RSA) test, and a rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and completed the CAF side effects questionnaire. Our findings revealed that in comparison to the PLAC condition, the MATT, RSAmean, and RSAbest performances were significantly greater only under the CAF-6 and CAF-9 conditions. Although the RPE scores remained unchanged, CMJ performance improved under all CAF conditions. All the performance outcomes were better for the CAF-6 and CAF-9 conditions than for the CAF-3 condition. Notably, no significant difference between the CAF-6 and CAF-9 conditions was observed for any of these parameters despite the highest incidence of side effects being noted for the CAF-9 condition. In summary, our findings highlight the recommendation for a moderate CAF dosage of 6 mg·kg−1 rather than 3 or 9 mg·kg−1 to enhance various aspects of short-term maximal performance in mild-CAF-consumer female team-sports athletes while mitigating the occurrence of adverse CAF side effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Respiratory health is a critical determinant of athletic performance, and the utilization of restorative strategies, such as strategic napping, may offer a competitive edge to athletes. This study investigates the effects of nap duration on the respiratory function of young elite athletes who have achieved top rankings national competitions. Participants engage in three test sessions with varying nap durations: no nap (N0), a 25-minute nap (N25), and a 45-minute nap (N45), with a minimum 72-hour interval between sessions. Respiratory parameters including Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1), FEV1/FVC ratio, Peak Expiratory Flow rate (PEF), Forced Expiratory Flow at 25–75% of FVC (FEF25-75%), and Forced Expiratory Time (FET) are assessed. Results reveal a significant enhancement in PEF values following a 45-minute nap (N45) compared to the no-nap control (N0) [F1 − 11=7.356, p =.004, ηp2 = 0.401, (95% CI for difference: -1.56 to − 0.056)], indicating a potential positive influence of napping on maximum expiratory flow rate and, consequently, athletes' respiratory performance. While no significant changes are observed in other respiratory parameters across different nap durations, these findings underscore the potential benefits of strategic napping in optimizing respiratory health in young elite athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biological maturity status significantly influences success in handball, impacting an athlete's performance and overall development. This study aimed to examine the anthropometric and physical performance variables concerning age and maturity status, establishing reference values for physical performance among Tunisian players. A total of 560 handball players (309 males and 251 females aged 13–19 years) were categorized based on maturity status: early (n = 98), average (n = 262), and late (n = 200), determined through Mirwald and colleagues' equations. Anthropometric, physical fitness, and physiological data were collected for reference value creation. Our findings revealed significantly higher anthropometric parameters (p = 0.003) in late-maturing athletes compared to their early-maturing counterparts. Post-pubertal athletes showed significantly superior (p = 0.002) jumping ability, change of direction, and aerobic performance compared to their pre-pubertal peers. Additionally, male athletes outperformed females in both fitness (p = 0.001) and aerobic (p = 0.001) performance. A notable age-by-maturity interaction emerged for most performance outcomes (η2 ranging from 0.011 to 0.084), highlighting increased sex-specific differences as athletes progressed in age. Percentile values are provided for males and females, offering valuable insights for coaches and sports scientists to design personalized training programs. Understanding a player's performance relative to these percentiles allows trainers to tailor workouts, addressing specific strengths and weaknesses for enhanced development and competitiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Circadian rhythms in the physiological and behavioral processes of humans play a crucial role in the quality of living and also in the magnitude of success and failure in various endeavors including competitive sports. The rhythmic activities of the body and performance in sportspersons do have a massive impact on their every cutthroat competition. It is essential to schedule sports activities and training of players according to their circadian typology and time of peak performance for improved performance and achievement. In this review, the focus is on circadian rhythms and diurnal variations in peak athletic performance in sportspersons. Accuracy and temporal variability in peak performance in an individual could be attributed to various factors, namely chronotype, time of the day, body temperature, jetlag, hormones, and prior light exposure. Circadian rhythm of mood, alertness, T-core, and ultimately athletic performance is not only affected by sleep but also by circadian variations in hormones, such as cortisol, testosterone, and melatonin. There are, however, a few reports that are not consistent with the conclusions drawn in this review. Nevertheless, circadian rhythm and performance among sportspersons and athletes are important areas of research. This review might be useful to the managers and policymakers associated with competitive sports and athletic events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to provide an accurate description of the effect of Ramadan observance on sleep duration, sleep quality, daily nap duration, and daytime sleepiness in athletes and physically active individuals. Five electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Wiley, and Taylor and Francis) were used to search for relevant studies conducted with athletes or physically active individuals during Ramadan, published in any language, and available before May 23, 2021. Studies that included assessments of sleep quantity and/or quality, and/or daytime sleepiness, and/or daily naps in athletes and physically active individuals were included. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed using "QualSyst". Of the 18 papers included in this study (298 participants in total), 14 were of strong quality, two were moderate, and the remaining two were rated as weak. Individuals who continued to train during Ramadan experienced a decrease in sleep duration (number of studies, K = 17, number of participants, N = 289, g = -0.766, 95% confidence interval [CI] -1.199 to -0.333, p = 0.001). Additionally, the global score of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index increased from 4.053 (K = 5, N = 65, 95% CI 3.071-5.034) pre-Ramadan, to 5.346 (95% CI 4.362-6.333) during Ramadan, indicating a decrease in sleep quality. The duration of daytime naps increased during compared to pre-Ramadan (K = 2, N = 31, g = 1.020, 95% CI 0.595-1.445, p = 0.000), whereas Epworth Sleepiness Scale scores remained unchanged during versus pre-Ramadan (K = 3, N = 31, g = 0.190, 95% CI -0.139-0.519, p = 0.257). In conclusion, individuals who continued to train during Ramadan experienced a decrease in sleep duration, impairment of sleep quality, and increase in daytime nap duration, with no change in daytime sleepiness levels., (© 2021 The Authors. Journal of Sleep Research published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of European Sleep Research Society.)

The striped eel catfish, Plotosus lineatus was first described by Thunberg in 1787 from the Indo-Pacific region in the East Indian Ocean. Since then, the species has been recorded in various marine and brackish habitats in Japan, southern Korea, the Ogasawara Islands, Australia, Lord Howe Island, Palau and Yap in Micronesia, East Africa to Samoa, Madagascar, Red Sea and the Persian Gulf. Occurrences of this species have also been registered in the Mediterranean Sea, a non-native location, indicating a possible biological invasion event. Despite its long history, the taxonomic status of the P. lineatus species complex remains puzzling and uncertain. Here, we analysed all the available mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 sequences (NCBI and BOLD) from specimens covering the current known distribution range, in an attempt to clarify the evolutionary relationships of different lineages within this species. We deduce nine monophyletic Lineages - I–IX, of P. lineatus with Kimura-2P distances ranging from 2% to 16%, with a mean intraspecific distance of 6%. Strikingly, Lineage V is composed uniquely of Mediterranean-captured individuals, with an unknown evolutionary origin. These findings strongly suggest the need for a careful species taxonomic reassessment. Some Lineages are composed of individuals from specific geographic locations (e.g., Australia and Indonesia), while others include specimens from broader geographic areas (e.g., almost all Indo-Pacific coastline). Additionally, several deposited sequences are most likely the result of morphology-based misidentifications. Due to the biological invasive potential, as well as the use of the species as a valuable physiology model, the P. lineatus species complex requires further attention. Overall our study offers a clear framework for future comparative studies of striped eel catfish individuals captured from different ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the performance of cross-linked microbeads prepared through suspension polymerization was investigated for removal of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (4-HBA) from aqueous solution. Adsorption studies were conducted at different pHs (2.0-8.0), temperatures (282-308 K) and initial 4-HBA concentrations (1-500mg/L). The maximum 4-HBA adsorption was 49.05 ± 2.89mg/g at pH 2.0 (282 K). The adsorption data obeyed to the Langmuir isotherm model. The modified Ritchie second-order and the pseudo second-order kinetic model fitted the adsorption data. The 4-HBA adsorption capacity did not significantly change after 10 consecutive usages. Gibbs free energy changes of the adsorption were calculated as -24.372, -28.431 and -29.093 kJ/mol for 282, 298 and 308 K, respectively. The microbeads were also used for the removal of 4-HBA from spiked river water samples. The removal efficiencies of 43.2% to 68.8% and RSDs of 0.49% to 4.78% demonstrated the usability of the microbeads in application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Biobased hydrogels are used in many applications due to their easy availability, low cost, and versatility to acquire different structures. However, there is scarce information about the changes generated in the matrix's microstructure after crosslinking reactions. The effect of the crosslinking reaction using glutaraldehyde on the micro‐ and macrostructure of tragacanth gum hydrogels (TG GLU) was evaluated. Results: New acetal groups, which increase with increasing glutaraldehyde (GLU), produced less packed biopolymeric structures with more thermal stability. Due to demethoxylation, a higher amount of free carboxylic groups after crosslinking reaction were determined in TG GLU. Crosslinked hydrogels presented a higher water uptake capacity with a pH‐responsive behavior with suitable thermal and mechanical properties. Besides this, the highest adsorptive capacity of methylene blue achieved was qm = 530 mg/g. Conclusions: pH responsive gels from tragacanth were obtained after crosslinking with glutaraldehyde. Chemical and microstructural changes affected the methylene blue adsorption, resulting in hydrogels with improved adsorptive properties. These properties give the TG‐GLU hydrogels some features that make them suitable for practical applications in the pharmaceutical industry related to drug delivery and water remediation. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ZnO thin films with a thickness of 300 nm were deposited on Si and Al2O3 substrates using an electron beam evaporation technique with the aim of testing them as low cost and low power consumption gas sensors for ozone (O3). Scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy were used to characterize the film surface morphology and quantify the roughness and grain size, recognized as the primary parameters influencing the gas sensitivity due to their direct impact on the effective sensing area. The crystalline structure and elemental composition were studied through Raman spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Gas tests were conducted at room temperature and zero-bias voltage to assess the sensitivity and response as a function of time of the films to O3 pollutant. The results indicate that the films deposited on Al2O3 exhibit promising characteristics, such as high sensitivity and a very short response time (<2 s) to the gas concentration. Additionally, it was observed that the films display pronounced degradation effects after a significant exposure to O3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sign language is a unique communication tool helping to bridge the gap between people with hearing impairments and the general public. It holds paramount importance for various communities, as it allows individuals with hearing difficulties to communicate effectively. In sign languages, there are numerous signs, each characterized by differences in hand shapes, hand positions, motions, facial expressions, and body parts used to convey specific meanings. The complexity of visual sign language recognition poses a significant challenge in the computer vision research area. This study presents an Arabic Sign Language recognition (ArSL) system that utilizes convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and several transfer learning models to automatically and accurately identify Arabic Sign Language characters. The dataset used for this study comprises 54,049 images of ArSL letters. The results of this research indicate that InceptionV3 outperformed other pretrained models, achieving a remarkable 100% accuracy score and a 0.00 loss score without overfitting. These impressive performance measures highlight the distinct capabilities of InceptionV3 in recognizing Arabic characters and underscore its robustness against overfitting. This enhances its potential for future research in the field of Arabic Sign Language recognition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sign language recognition is essential in hearing-impaired people's communication. Wearable data gloves and computer vision are partially complementary solutions. However, sign language recognition using a general monocular camera suffers from occlusion and recognition accuracy issues. In this research, we aim to improve accuracy through data fusion of 2-axis bending sensors and computer vision. We obtain the hand key point information of sign language movements captured by a monocular RGB camera and use key points to calculate hand joint angles. The system achieves higher recognition accuracy by fusing multimodal data of the skeleton, joint angles, and finger curvature. In order to effectively fuse data, we spliced multimodal data and used CNN-BiLSTM to extract effective features for sign language recognition. CNN is a method that can learn spatial information, and BiLSTM can learn time series data. We built a data collection system with bending sensor data gloves and cameras. A dataset was collected that contains 32 Japanese sign language movements of seven people, including 27 static movements and 5 dynamic movements. Each movement is repeated 10 times, totaling about 112 min. In particular, we obtained data containing occlusions. Experimental results show that our system can fuse multimodal information and perform better than using only skeletal information, with the accuracy increasing from 68.34% to 84.13%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liver is an important organ that carries out major important functions including the detoxification of harmful chemicals. Numerous studies have lately focused on the impact of various substances, such as chemical pollutants and pharmaceutical drugs, on the liver. Melatonin (Mel) has been reported for the protection against liver injury. In order to enhance Mel therapeutic benefits and prevent any potential negative effects, Mel has to be delivered to the injured liver. Therefore, the goal of the current investigation was to create Mel-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (Mel-PLGA NPs) to alleviate carbon tetrachloride (CCL4)-induced liver damage in male Sprague Dawley rats. The prepared Mel-PLGA NPs were physically characterized to determine its size and charge. Moreover, Mel-PLGA NPs were examined, in vitro, to determine its antioxidant, anticoagulant, anti-inflammatory and cytotoxicity effects before being used in vivo. The effect of NPs on liver injury was evaluated through biochemical, immunological, histopathological examination and flow cytometry technique. Mel-PLGA NPs were smooth and spherical with no signs of aggregation and have in vitro antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticoagulant effects. NPs varied in size from 87 to 96 nm in transmission electron microscope images, while their hydrodynamic diameter was 41 nm and their zeta potential was −6 mV. Mel-PLGA NPs had encapsulation efficiency (EE%) and drug loading (DL%) of 59.9 and 12.5%, respectively. Treatment with Mel-PLGA NPs ameliorated all histopathological changes, in liver sections, that resulted from CCL4 administration; where, liver sections of treated groups were similar to those of healthy control GI. NPs administration were superior to free Mel and reversed the elevated levels of liver function enzymes, inflammatory cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases to their normal levels. Moreover, liver sections of groups treated with NPs showed negative immunostaining for nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and C-reactive protein indicating their anti-inflammatory behavior. Mel-PLGA NPs significantly protected liver from the toxicity of CCL4. The effective dose of NPs was 5 mg/kg indicating a reduction in the required Mel dose and its associated adverse effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine resources in unique marine environments provide abundant, cost-effective natural biomaterials with distinct structures, compositions, and biological activities compared to terrestrial species. These marine-derived raw materials, including polysaccharides, natural protein components, fatty acids, and marine minerals, etc., have shown great potential in preparing, stabilizing, or modifying multifunctional nano-/micro-systems and are widely applied in drug delivery, theragnostic, tissue engineering, etc. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the most current marine biomaterial-based nano-/micro-systems developed over the past three years, primarily focusing on therapeutic delivery studies and highlighting their potential to cure a variety of diseases. Specifically, we first provided a detailed introduction to the physicochemical characteristics and biological activities of natural marine biocomponents in their raw state. Furthermore, the assembly processes, potential functionalities of each building block, and a thorough evaluation of the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of advanced marine biomaterial-based systems and their effects on molecular pathophysiological processes were fully elucidated. Finally, a list of unresolved issues and pivotal challenges of marine-derived biomaterials applications, such as standardized distinction of raw materials, long-term biosafety in vivo, the feasibility of scale-up, etc., was presented. This review is expected to serve as a roadmap for fundamental research and facilitate the rational design of marine biomaterials for diverse emerging applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of SPORMETRE: The Journal of Physical Education & Sport Sciences / Beden Eğitimi ve Spor Bilimleri Dergisi is the property of SPORMETRE: The Journal of Physical Education & Sport Sciences 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 aimed to examine the impact of 40-min and 90-min naps on performance in the 5-m shuttle run test (5mSRT) and on various physiological and perceptual measures. Sixteen male athletes (20 ± 3 years, 173 ± 7 cm, 67 ± 7 kg) performed the 5mSRT after a 40-min nap (N40), after a 90-min nap (N90), and in a no-nap, control condition (N0). The 5mSRT involves six repetitions of 30 s of all-out exercise. Total distance (in the six repetitions) and highest distance (in a single repetition) in the 5mSRT were greater after naps than in N0 (p < 0.001), and the total distance, which reflects the anaerobic capacity, was greater in N90 than in N40 (p < 0.05). Physiological and perceptual responses were favourable in both nap conditions (p < 0.01), more so in N90 than in N40 (p < 0.05). Together, the results support the contention that physiological/perceptual responses after napping contribute to improved exercise performance and that longer naps are more effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of a 40-min nap opportunity on physiological responses and specific abilities was investigated. Twelve high-level professional basketball players (26.33±5.2 years; 193.17±7.1 m; 87.48±11.2 kg) undertook randomly 40-min nap opportunity (NAP) and control condition (CON). Wellness (Hooper Index) and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) were measured before and after both conditions. Defensive (DA) and offensive (OA) agility and upper body power (UBP) were assessed after both conditions. Shooting skill (SST) performance was evaluated prior and after a fatiguing task (FT). Heart rate (HR) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were recorded during SST-test, FT and SST-retest. ESS, Hooper's stress and fatigue score were significantly lower after nap compared to those before nap (0.009 ≤ p ≤ 0.03). Better performance was obtained in NAP compared to CON condition for DA, OA and UBP (0.0005 ≤ p ≤ 0.02). SST performance was significantly higher in NAP compared to CON in the retest session (p = 0.003, Δ = 20.2%). The improved performance was associated with significant lower HRpeak (p = 0.01, Δ = 5.25%) and RPE (p = 0.003, Δ = 15.12%). In conclusion, NAP reduced sleepiness and stress and fatigue and enhances physical outcomes of specific skills in elite basketball players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sign languages are complex, but there are ongoing research efforts in engineering and data science to recognize, understand, and utilize them in real-time applications. Arabic sign language recognition (ArSL) has been examined and applied using various traditional and intelligent methods. However, there have been limited attempts to enhance this process by utilizing pretrained models and large-sized vision transformers designed for image classification tasks. This study aimed to create robust transfer learning models trained on a dataset of 54,049 images depicting 32 alphabets from an ArSL dataset. The goal was to accurately classify these images into their corresponding Arabic alphabets. This study included two methodological parts. The first one was the transfer learning approach, wherein we utilized various pretrained models namely MobileNet, Xception, Inception, InceptionResNet, DenseNet, and BiT, and two vision transformers namely ViT, and Swin. We evaluated different variants from base-sized to large-sized pretrained models and vision transformers with weights initialized from the ImageNet dataset or otherwise randomly. The second part was the deep learning approach using convolutional neural networks (CNNs), wherein several CNN architectures were trained from scratch to be compared with the transfer learning approach. The proposed methods were evaluated using the accuracy, AUC, precision, recall, F1 and loss metrics. The transfer learning approach consistently performed well on the ArSL dataset and outperformed other CNN models. ResNet and InceptionResNet obtained a comparably high performance of 98%. By combining the concepts of transformer-based architecture and pretraining, ViT and Swin leveraged the strengths of both architectures and reduced the number of parameters required for training, making them more efficient and stable than other models and existing studies for ArSL classification. This demonstrates the effectiveness and robustness of using transfer learning with vision transformers for sign language recognition for other low-resourced languages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monoamine transporters (MATs) are responsible for the reuptake of dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine, modulating concentrations of these essential brain neurotransmitters and thus regulating behavior, mood, and cognitive functions. Studying the role of various genes in complex physiological processes is a promising area of neurobiology and sport physiology. Here, we summarize mounting evidence linking specific genetic variants of MAT genes to various aspects of sport performance. For example, the 10-repeat allele of the dopamine transporter gene (DAT), the L-allele of the serotonin transporter gene (SERT), and the single nucleotide polymorphism rs1805065 of the norepinephrine transporter gene (NET) appear to correlate with a higher athletic performance due to stress resistance, as well as the maintenance of motivation and cognitive behavioral competencies, i.e. qualities required to achieve sporting success. Thus, physiological performance in various sports may be partially genetically determined and controlled by the variability in the MAT genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Whether acute caffeine supplementation can offset the negative effects of one-night of partial sleep deprivation (PSD) on endurance exercise performance is currently unknown., Methods: Ten healthy recreational male runners (age: 27 ± 6 years; V ˙ O 2 max : 61 ± 9 mL/kg/min) completed 4 trials in a balanced Latin square design, which were PSD + caffeine (PSD-Caf), PSD + placebo (PSD-Pla), normal sleep (NS) + caffeine (NS-Caf) and NS + placebo (NS-Pla). 3 and 8 h sleep windows were scheduled in PSD and NS, respectively. 10-km treadmill time trial (TT) performance was assessed 45 min after caffeine (6 mg/kg/body mass)/placebo supplementation in the morning following PSD/NS. Blood glucose, lactate, free fatty acid and glycerol were measured at pre-supplementation, pre-exercise and after exercise., Results: PSD resulted in compromised TT performance compared to NS in the placebo conditions by 5% (51.9 ± 7.7 vs. 49.4 ± 6.9 min, p = 0.001). Caffeine improved TT performance compared to placebo following both PSD by 7.7% (PSD-Caf: 47.9 ± 7.3 min vs. PSD-Pla: 51.9 ± 7.7 min, p = 0.007) and NS by 2.8% (NS-Caf: 48.0 ± 6.4 min vs. NS-Pla: 49.4 ± 6.9 min, p = 0.049). TT performance following PSD-Caf was not different from either NS-Pla or NS-Caf (p = 0.185 and p = 0.891, respectively). Blood glucose, lactate, and glycerol concentrations at post-exercise, as well as heart rate and the speed/RPE ratio during TT, were higher in caffeine trials compared to placebo., Conclusions: Caffeine supplementation offsets the negative effects of one-night PSD on 10-km running performance., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Sprint and jump performances represent performance-determining parameters in individual and team sports. Fluctuations in performance depending on the daytime raise the question of the best time to train and compete. Given the scarce research on females, this study aimed to analyze the influence of daytime on sprint and jump performances and to investigate whether the performance difference is related to the chronotype. Thus, 23 female sports students completed a questionnaire to assess their chronotype followed by performing two 30 m sprints, 5 Repeated Jump Tests (5RJT), and countermovement jumps (CMJ) in the morning (7:00–9:00 h) and evening (17:00–19:00 h). Time after 5 m, 10 m, and 30 m during the sprints, reactive strength index (RSI) during the 5RJTs, and jump height during the CMJs were examined. The performance during the 30 m sprint (t(22) = 5.28, p < 0.01 moderate effect size: 0.50) and the two jump tests (5RJT: t(22) = 8.27, p < 0.01 large effect size: 0.95; CMJ: t(22) = 5.46, p < 0.01 moderate effect size: 0.79) were significantly better in the evening than in the morning. There was no significant correlation between chronotype and the time-of-day effect. The results should be considered when planning training and competition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dart sport has become a sport that has recently become widespread among sports branches and its popularity is increasing rapidly day by day. With this popularization, research on darts is increasing. It is stated that athletes can do the training they do at any time of the day with a much better performance at a different time, as in many changing conditions. In addition, at a different time of day, fatigue may be reached later or recovery may occur more quickly. For these reasons, knowing the effect of training at different times of the day is important for both the coach and the athlete. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different times of the day on throwing performance in darts, an indoor skill in which focus, attention, concentration are at the forefront and environmental factors are less effective than outdoor skill. Methods: In this study, 16 dart athletes (8 boys, 8 girls) with a sport age of 2 - 3 years and an age of 12 - 14 years, who did not have any health problems in Mardin province, participated voluntarily: 2 m and 2.37 m from two different distances at 8.00 and 17.00, 1 day apart. Before the dart throws, the Daily Rhythm Determination Scale for Children was administered to the participants. The center of the dartboard was placed at eye level for each subject. After the throws, the Perceived Difficulty Scale was applied. In the analysis examining the relationship between perceived degree of difficulty, morningness-eveningness and throwing, the subjects' evening throwing scores and evening perceived degree of difficulty scores were examined; a negative and significant relationship was observed in the eveningist group (r = -1, P = 0.01). No significant relationship was observed in the morning group. Results: In the study, a statistically significant difference was found between the subjects' morning and evening throws at 2 m and 2.37 cm. In both morning and evening groups, it was determined that the throwing performance increased in the evening measurements. Conclusions: As a result, this study concluded that there is an effect of time of day in dart sport and that dart throws made in the evening give better results than dart throws made in the morning. Based on these results, it is recommended that a program should be made by the coaches considering the school programs and daily routines to reduce the effect of time of day. It is thought that this study will be important for chronobiological researches to reveal the factors affecting performance as well as the effect of time of day in darts sport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aiming to identify the ideal suhoor timing for maintaining optimal physical performance and health indicators during Ramadan intermittent fasting, the present study compares the effects of early vs. late Suhoor on short-term high-intensity physical exercise while controlling the body mass index (BMI) oral temperature (OT), dietary intake, and sleep patterns. In a randomized design, 19 female pre-university handball players (age: 16.8 ± 0.4 y; height: 1.70 ± 0.9 m; and body mass: 61.5 ± 6.9 kg) underwent two test sessions (at 08:00 a.m. and 05:00 p.m.) at four different conditions: ten days prior to Ramadan (R − 10), the final ten days of Ramadan (R) including both Early Suhoor R(ES) and Late Suhoor R(LS) conditions, and the ten days immediately following Ramadan (R + 10). A recovery period of at least 48 h has been set between successive test sessions at each period. Outcome measures included the Countermovement Jumps Test (CMJ), Modified Agility t-Test (MATT), Repeated Sprint Ability (RSA), and Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE). The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), OT, BMI, and daily diary intake were assessed across the three periods. The total scores of PSQI decreased significantly during R and R + 10 compared to R − 10. When performed in the afternoon, CMJ, MATT, and RSA performance decreased significantly at R(ES) and R(LS) conditions compared to R − 10. However, these performances decreased only after R(ES) when performed in the morning. Furthermore, performances were lower during R(ES) compared to R(LS) in the afternoon for all tests and the morning for MATT and RSA tests. These findings support prior research showing a deterioration of physical performance during Ramadan fasting and indicate a more pronounced impact following early Suhoor condition. Therefore, consuming a late suhoor, closer to pre-dawn time, could be suggested as an effective strategy to minimize physical performance decline during short-term high-intensity exercise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The time-of-day effect of exercise on human function remains largely equivocal. Hence, this study aimed to further analyze the existing evidence concerning diurnal variations in cardiorespiratory responses and endurance performance using a meta-analytic approach. Literature search was conducted through databases, including PubMed, CINAHL, and Google Scholar. Article selection was made based on inclusion criteria concerning subjects' characteristics, exercise protocols, times of testing, and targeted dependent variables. Results on oxygen uptake (VO2), heart rate (HR), respiratory exchange ratio, and endurance performance in the morning (AM) and late afternoon or evening (PM) were extracted from the chosen studies. Metaanalysis was conducted with the random-effects model. Thirty-one original research studies that met the inclusion criteria were selected. Meta-analysis revealed higher resting VO2 (Hedges' g = -0.574; p = 0.040) and resting HR (Hedges' g= -1.058; p = 0.002) in PM than in AM. During exercise, although VO2 remained indifferent between AM and PM, HR was higher in PM at submaximal (Hedges' g = -0.199; p = 0.046) and maximal (Hedges' g = -0.298; p = 0.001) levels. Endurance performance as measured by time-to-exhaustion or the total work accomplished was higher in PM than in AM (Hedges' g = -0.654; p = 0.001). Diurnal variations in VO2 appear less detectable during aerobic exercise. The finding that exercising HR and endurance performance were greater inPMthan in AMemphasizes the need to consider the effect of circadian rhythm when evaluating athletic performance or using HR as a criterion to assess fitness or monitor training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Along the coastline, urbanisation and industrialization pose significant challenges to marine habitats and biodiversity. Most wastewater that reaches the marine environment contains toxic metals, which, as they are non-biodegradable, accumulate in the biota and enter the marine food chain. This study presents the concentration of nine heavy metals (Fe, Zn, Cu, Co, Cr, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Cd) in zooplankton (copepods) during the Spring Intermonsoon/Pre-Monsoon (April 2019) in the western Bay of Bengal (BoB). Higher Fe concentrations were found in copepods both nearshore (42,352 µg/g) and offshore (9835 µg/g). However, the relative amounts of heavy metals in copepods from 16 locations (eight nearshore and eight offshore) varied in the order of Fe > Zn > Cu > Co > Cr > Mn > Ni > Pb > Cd. The copepods in the nearshore locations had higher concentrations of heavy metals than those offshore. Compared to earlier data on heavy metals, particularly those that are physiologically non-essential and toxic, the current study demonstrates higher amounts of these metals in copepods in the inshore BoB [Ni (avg. 58.7 ± 5.5 µg/g), Pb (avg. 25.6 ± 4.7 µg/g), and Cd (avg. 16.4 ± 0.9 µg/g)]. Considering the strong East India Coastal Currents in the western BoB, trace metal-concentrated copepods could be transported too far along the Indian coastline from the current study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) describes an entity characterized by ultrastructural muscle damage. Hesperidin methyl chalcone (HMC) is a synthetic flavonoid presenting analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. We evaluated the effects of HMC upon DOMS. Method: In a preventive paradigm, 31 sedentary young men were submitted to a randomized, double-blinded parallel trial and received HMC 500 mg or one placebo capsule × 3 days before an intense dynamic exercise protocol (concentric/eccentric actions) applied for lower limbs for inducing muscle damage. Assessments were conducted at baseline, and 24 and 48 h after, comprising physical performance, and post-muscle soreness and damage, inflammation, recovery of muscle strength, and postural balance associated with DOMS. HMC safety was also evaluated. Thirty participants completed the study. Results: HMC improved the performance of participants during exercise (40.3 vs 51.3 repetitions to failure, p = 0.0187) and inhibited CPK levels (90.5 vs 57.9 U/L, p = 0.0391) and muscle soreness during passive quadriceps palpation (2.6 vs 1.4 VAS cm, p = 0.0439), but not during active actions, nor did it inhibit IL-1β or IL-10 levels. HMC improved muscle strength recovery, and satisfactorily refined postural balance, without inducing injury to kidneys or liver. Conclusions: Preemptive HMC supplementation may be beneficial for boosting physical performance and for the amelioration of clinical parameters related to DOMS, including pain on muscle palpation, increased blood CPK levels, and muscle strength and proprioceptive deficits, without causing adverse effects. These data advance the understanding of the benefits provided by HMC for DOMS treatment, which supports its usefulness for such purpose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]