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This study aimed to analyse the influence of different physical fitness levels of youth basketball players on match-related physical performance, using Random Forest clustering to distinguish between high-fitness level players and low-fitness level players. Twenty male youth basketball players completed the following physical performance tests in two separate sessions: bilateral and unilateral countermovement jumps, bilateral and unilateral horizontal jumps, single leg lateral jumps, the 20 m linear straight sprint test, the 505 test and a repeated sprint ability test. 1 week after the second testing day, players completed a simulated match while external loads were monitored using an ultra-wide band-based Local Positioning System. A Random Forest clustering was used to create two different clusters composed of players with similar physical fitness attributes (high- and low-fitness level players). Results indicate that the Random Forest clustering adequately discriminated among the players in different groups according to their physical fitness attributes. High-fitness level players covered more distance per min in all intensity thresholds and reached higher maximal speed and acceleration intensity during the simulated matches (p < 0.05). These results may assist basketball practitioners in understanding running performance variations during matches and can be used to optimise preparation for individual players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rangeland assessment in the arid and semi-arid regions of Patagonia, Argentina, is a key tool both in livestock management and in environmental evaluations and monitoring of complex processes such as desertification and the impact of climate change. Although most rangeland assessment methods have assigned efforts to data resolution (field assessment plots) or information extension (landscape-scale classifications using remote sensing), the temporal variation of the vegetation has received less attention. It can be argued that the reasons for this deficit respond to the cost of carrying out field evaluations over time and/or to the short series of satellite data available until a couple of decades ago. However, a current advantage is that there are already more than 20 years of satellite data series, which opens up new possibilities to guide greater efforts in the study of the dynamics, that is, the temporal and spatiotemporal variability of the vegetation productivity. Our objective was to evaluate the application of a vegetation functional classification method, analyzing the complementation of information between structural and functional aspects of rangelands at a farm scale. In particular, we compared the results obtained by a classification of landscape units and physiognomy of vegetation and the results of a classification with a characterization of the dynamics of the vegetation productivity from the protocol that we have called Rangeland Functional Archetypes. The results emphasize the need to incorporate the dynamics of vegetation productivity as a classifying factor and not as a dependent variable of a previously defined structural classification. We discuss the potential and future steps to move forward in the integration of both approaches at the farm scale in the livestock systems of Patagonia, as a tool for a complementary structural and functional assessment of rangelands, oriented towards planning and adaptive management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to explore the match-physical response of international-level footballers with cerebral palsy (CP) according to contextual factors such as team ranking, the quality level of opposition, and match outcome. Eighty-two male outfield footballers with CP from top-ranked teams (n = 26) and bottom-ranked teams (n = 56) took part in this study. The match-player response was recorded using global positioning devices considering the total distance, distance covered at different velocities and number of short-term actions. Players from top-ranked teams covered more distance at low intensities compared to players from bottom-ranked teams (p < 0.05; 0.45 < ES < 0.49). Higher sprint distance, moderate and high accelerations/decelerations were found in players from top-ranked teams playing against teams of similar levels (p < 0.05; 0.73g< 0.86). When players from bottom-ranked teams played against teams of equivalent rank, more physical requirements were presented in total distance, running from medium to sprint intensities, and the number of short-term actions (p < 0.0.05; −0.55S < −0.89). Players from the top-ranking teams presented greater sprint demands in losing matches (p<0.05; dg=-1.01). Considering the bottom-ranking opposition, players presented more running demands in matches with losing results in moderate running, sprinting, and moderate-to-high deceleration (p < 0.05; −0.61 < dg < −0.64). The match-physical response of players with CP varies according to the contextual factors studied. The results provide advice for coaches and classifiers to understand more comprehensively the competing demands in CP football. This knowledge could help practitioners to prepare competition matches and planning training load or post-match recovery strategies, but also for the observation assessments of the classification process in this team para-sport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) has long been vital to Cuban agriculture, with its products renowned for their quality. Cuban tobacco is grown in soils with a long history of continuous farming using traditional fertilization methods characterized by recommended doses of mineral fertilizers. This study aims to improve the nutrition resource strategy in tobacco cultivation to ensure high yields of superior-grade tobacco leaves with adequate quality and increase fertilization efficiency. With this goal, a field experiment evaluated the traditional method of fallow with alternatives of nutrient supply systems for the production of black tobacco in Ultic Paleustalf soils. The experiment utilized Canavalia ensiformis (Can) treated with a mycorrhizal inoculum (AMF) based on the Glomus cubense strain (INCAM-4) as a preceding green manure, combined with successive mineral fertilizations for tobacco during four growing seasons in a randomized block design with factorial arrangement. Canavalia presented a positive response to mycorrhizal inoculation, significantly increasing dry biomass production (87.34%, 129.96%), mycorrhizal colonization (26.90%, 103.66%), and spore production (26.79%, 52.52%) for Can and Can+AMF treatments respectively. A biplot analysis established a strong relationship between the biomass and mycorrhizal performance of Canavalia and the growth, yield, and mycorrhizal colonization of tobacco. The results indicate that inoculated Canavalia enhances mycorrhizal performance in successional tobacco, with Can+AMF significantly increasing mycorrhization of tobacco roots by (110.06%). Moreover, the combination of Can inoculate with AMF and 75% of the recommended mineral fertilization dose consistently produced the highest tobacco yields (42.06%), growth, and mycorrhizal activity across the four years while maintaining satisfactory combustibility. In this nutrition supply system, variations of the recommended fertilizer dose significantly decreased the percentage of mycorrhizal colonization. After four growing seasons using Can + AMF and Canavalia without inoculations, soil organic matter, and availability of exchangeable calcium, magnesium, and pH increased slightly without decreasing available phosphorus and potassium contents. Consequently, we conclude that Canavalia ensiformis, with an inoculum based on the Glomus cubense strain and 75% of the recommended dose of mineral fertilizers, provides an enhanced nutrition alternative system for black tobacco production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding food habits and nutritional knowledge in youth athletes could contribute to optimal recovery and improving performance in basketball. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the relationships between physical fitness, with food habits and nutritional knowledge in basketballers. Twenty-three healthy youth players to the same elite basketball academy participated in this study. Basketballers performed a basketball fitness test battery including jumping tests [countermovement jump (CMJ) and drop jump (DJ)]; 5, 10 and 20 m-linear sprints; change of direction (COD) tests [Lane Agility Drill test and 505 test], and repeated change-of-direction (RCOD) sprint and completed a Turconi questionnaire based on eating habits and nutritional knowledge. While no significant (p>0.05) correlations were found between physical fitness attributes and total score obtained in sections C and H in dietary questionnaire, significant correlations (r=0.606-0.971; large - nearly perfect; p<0.001 - 0.003) were found among jumping, COD, RCOD and LSST tests. These findings suggest that physical performance of youth basketball players is not influenced by their level of dietary behaviors and nutritional knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to analyze whether there are differences and associations in the physical responses in international-level cerebral palsy footballers between official matches and 2v2 small-sided games (2v2-SSG). One hundred seventy international cerebral palsy footballers participated in this study during three international championships. The physical responses of mean and maximum velocities, total distance, distance covered at different intensities, short-term actions, and player load were collected during 2v2-SSG and the real competition. The mean velocity, total distance, jogging, medium- and high-intensity distances, the number of moderate/high accelerations, decelerations, and player load were relatively higher in the 2v2-SSG than in the official matches. Even though the 2v2-SSG could become an appropriate drill to include during the classification process, due to the differences between a 2v2-SSG and the official competition, it is necessary to deepen the scientific knowledge for developing observation methods during real competition to strengthen the relationships between eligible impairments and activity limitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The main purpose of the present study was to determine physiological responses in wheelchair basketball (WB) matches in relation to heart rate (HR), match load (ML), differentiated perceived exertion (dRPE), lactate concentrations (LA), and tympanic temperature (TEMP), while specifying the individual player's playing time during different types of matches. Method: Nine Spanish First Division WB players participated in the study. Three groups were determined for each observation (i.e., HR, ML, dRPE, LA, and TEMP) according to the minutes played by the WB players: players who had played 30 min to 40 min (WB30-40), those who played 20 min to 30 min, and those who played 0 min to 20 min. Results: The WB30-40 group attained statistically significantly higher results in mean HR than the other groups in league and playoff matches (p < 0.05; ?% > -25.73%; ES > -1.31, large). With regard to the difference in each variable between league and playoff matches, the differences were highlighted in the WB30-40 group according to ML (Edwards, p < 0.05, ?% = -11.14%, ES = -0.87, large; Stagno's modified TRIMP, p < 0.05, ?% = -16.95%, ES = -0.77, large). Tympanic temperature also reached higher values in playoff matches compared with league matches in WB30-40 (p < 0.05; ?% = 1.1%; ES = 0.67, moderate) but not in LA values. Conclusions: Coaches should take into account that playoff matches were more demanding than league matches, thus forcing coaches to try to peak WB players' physical performance for the former.

Background: Classification of athletes in cerebral palsy (CP) football is a key action that aims to promote the participation of all players by minimizing the impact of their physical disabilities on the outcome of the competition by establishing sports classes. As such, a new research line has been included in the classification process at an international level; that is, the analysis of locomotor demands during competition helps classifiers to understand the para-footballers' profile. Therefore, the main aim of this systematic review was to summarize the physical and physiological responses of players with CP in different sport classes during competition. Methods: A bibliographic search was conducted using PubMed, SCOPUS, and Web Of Science databases following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines using the PICOS strategy. Results: Six studies meeting inclusion criteria analyzing physical (i.e., total distances, distances at different speeds, high-intensity and short-term actions, change of directions, etc.) and physiological (heart rate (HR), time spent at different zones of maximum HR, etc.) responses. Findings revealed that para-footballers with CP and minimal impairment impact covered greater total and distance above 23.04 km·h−1 and achieved higher maximum speeds during match-play. Notably, no significant differences in physiological responses were observed based on classification. Conclusions: The research suggests that para-footballers with CP and lower physical impairment may exhibit enhanced performance in terms of distance covered and speed during gameplay, highlighting their potential competence in the sport. In addition, the limited number of studies examining the physiological response of para-footballers prevents conclusive results and differentiating between classification groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: At the beginning of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) pandemic, transfusion of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) convalescent plasma (CCP) emerged as a potential therapeutic strategy to help patients severely afflicted by COVID‐19. The efficacy of CCP has been controversial as it depends on many variables pertaining to the plasma donor and the patient with COVID‐19, for example, time of convalescence or symptoms onset. This feasibility and descriptive study aimed to assess the safety of multiple doses of CCP in mechanically ventilated, intubated patients with respiratory failure due to COVID‐19. Methods: A cohort of 30 patients all experiencing severe respiratory failure and undergoing invasive mechanical ventilation in an intensive care unit, received up to five doses of 300–600 mL of CCP on alternate days (0, 2, 4, 6, and 8) until extubation, futility, or death. Results: Nineteen patients received five doses, seven received four, and four received two or three doses. At 28‐day follow‐up mark, 57% of patients recovered and were sent home, and the long‐term mortality rate was 27%. Ten severe adverse events reported in the study were unrelated to CCP transfusion. Independent of the number of transfused doses, most patients had detectable levels of total and neutralizing antibodies in plasma. Conclusion: This study suggests that transfusion of multiple doses of CCP is safe. This strategy may represent a viable option for future studies, given the potential benefit of CCP transfusions during the early stages of infection in unvaccinated populations and in settings where monoclonal antibodies or antivirals are contraindicated or unavailable. Highlights: Transfusion of multiple doses (up to 5) of 300–600 mL of convalescent plasma from COVID‐19‐recovered patients is deemed safe, as it does not induce more severe effects than a single dose.Regardless of the number of transfused doses and the titer of neutralizing antibodies, most transfused patients had detectable levels of total and neutralizing antibodies in their plasma.Future studies are needed to determine if multiple transfusion doses are more efficient in preventing disease severity than a single dose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]