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The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of four warm-up protocols on agility, strength, static and dynamic flexibility in primary school students. The participants were forty-four students of a primary school (19 boys and 25 girls) and the mean age of the children was 11.7±0.47. All of them executed, in four different days, one of the following protocols: (a) 3 minutes of jogging followed by 5 minutes of static stretching, (b) 3 minutes of jogging followed by 5 minutes of dynamic stretching, (c) 3 minutes of jogging followed by a 5-minute break (no stretching protocol), and (d) 8 minutes of Greek traditional dances. On the completion of the protocols, the participants did the following tests: the agility shuttle run test (4x10m), the standing long jump test, the sit & reach test, and the active straight leg raise test (dynamic flexibility). According to the results of the repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA), the protocol of static stretching showed significantly better scores on static flexibility compared to the protocols of dance and no stretching. As for the long jump, dynamic stretching produced significantly better results compared to static stretching and no stretching. Concerning dynamic flexibility, there were no significant differences between the four warm-up protocols. As for agility, the dance protocol presented significantly better results compared to static stretching. Moreover, girls performed better on the sit & reach test compared to boys. In conclusion, the static-stretch protocol is suggested for lessons that require a maximal range of motion (flexibility). On the other hand, it seems that dynamic stretching is more suitable than the other protocols when the lesson requires lower extremity strength. Moreover, it seems that the dance protocol is suitable for lessons requiring agility. Therefore, teachers should implement different stretching protocols according to the content of the lesson.

The specific objective of the present study was to develop computational models, by means of which predictions could be performed regarding the quality of the bulk-tank milk in dairy sheep and goat farms. Our hypothesis was that use of specific variables related to the health management applied in the farm can facilitate the development of predictions regarding values related to milk quality, specifically for fat content, protein content, fat and protein content combined, somatic cell counts, and total bacterial counts. Bulk-tank milk from 325 sheep and 119 goat farms was collected and evaluated by established techniques for analysis of fat and protein content, for somatic cell counting, and for total bacterial counting. Subsequently, computational models were constructed for the prediction of five target values: (a) fat content, (b) protein content, (c) fat and protein, (d) somatic cell counts, and (e) total bacterial counts, through the use of 21 independent variables related to factors prevalent in the farm. Five machine learning tools were employed: decision trees (18 different models evaluated), random forests (16 models), XGBoost (240 models), k-nearest neighbours (72 models), and neural networks (576 models) (in total, 9220 evaluations were performed). Tools found with the lowest mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) between the five tools used to test predictions for each target value were selected. In sheep farms, for the prediction of protein content, k-nearest neighbours was selected (MAPE: 3.95%); for the prediction of fat and protein content combined, neural networks was selected (6.00%); and for the prediction of somatic cell counts, random forests and k-nearest neighbours were selected (6.55%); no tool provided useful predictions for fat content and for total bacterial counts. In goat farms, for the prediction of protein content, k-nearest neighbours was selected (MAPE: 6.17%); for the prediction of somatic cell counts, random forests and k-nearest neighbours were selected (4.93% and 5.00%); and for the prediction of total bacterial counts, neural networks was selected (8.33%); no tool provided useful prediction models for fat content and for fat and protein content combined. The results of the study will be of interest to farmers, as well as to professionals; the findings will also be useful to dairy processing factories. That way, it will be possible to obtain a distance-aware, rapid, quantitative estimation of the milk output from sheep and goat farms with sufficient data attributes. It will thus become easier to monitor and improve milk quality at the farm level as part of the dairy production chain. Moreover, the findings can support the setup of relevant and appropriate measures and interventions in dairy sheep and goat farms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Decentralized planning of renewable energy systems aims to address the substantial spatiotemporal variability, and thus uncertainty, associated with their underlying hydrometeorological processes. For instance, solar photovoltaic (PV) energy is driven by two processes, namely solar radiation, which is the main input, and ambient temperature, with the latter affecting the panel efficiency under specific weather conditions. The objective of this work is to provide a comprehensive investigation of the role of spatial scale by assessing the theoretical advantages of the distributed production of renewable energy sources over those of centralized, in probabilistic means. Acknowledging previous efforts for the optimal spatial distribution of different power units across predetermined locations, often employing the Modern Portfolio Theory framework, this work introduces the generic concept of spatial reliability and highlights its practical use as a strategic planning tool for assessing the benefits of distributed generation at a large scale. The methodology is verified by considering the case of Greece, where PV solar energy is one of the predominant renewables. Following a Monte Carlo approach, thus randomly distributing PVs across well-distributed locations, scaling laws are derived in terms of the spatial probability of capacity factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Fragmented habitats threaten animals by reducing genetic diversity. It is essential to understand the genetic composition and movement patterns of brown bears for effective conservation strategies and fostering coexistence with humans. This study analyzed 214 hair samples collected non-invasively from brown bears in the Trikala-Meteora area of Central Greece, revealing the genetic status and demographics of a local sub-population. Although the broader Central and South Pindos regions have not been examined in over ten years, findings indicate high genetic diversity, no signs of inbreeding, and an estimated effective population size of 99, suggesting a healthy conservation status. Additionally, a natural corridor facilitating bear movement between the western and eastern sections of the study area supports the population's sustainability. These results will aid in future conservation efforts aimed at maintaining natural corridors for brown bear habitats in Greece. Habitat fragmentation poses a significant threat to the existence and reproduction of large carnivores, such as brown bears, as it affects the genetic connectivity of populations and, consequently, their long-term viability. Understanding the genetic makeup and dispersal patterns in areas where brown bears live is crucial for developing effective conservation plans and promoting human-brown bear coexistence. In this study, 214 hair samples were collected non-invasively from brown bears and were genetically analyzed using fifteen specific microsatellite loci to shed light on the genetic status and demography of a sub-population residing in Central Greece (Trikala-Meteora area). The broader Central and South Pindos regions have not been studied for over a decade; however, high levels of genetic diversity, a lack of heterozygosity deficiency, and no signs of inbreeding, along with an estimated effective population size (Ne = 99), confirm the good conservation status of this sub-population. Moreover, the existence of a natural and apparently functional corridor in Central Pindos was demonstrated by bear movements between the western and eastern parts of the project area, enhancing the sustainability of the population. These findings will contribute to future efforts to conserve natural corridors that enable functional connectivity among large areas of brown bear territories in Greece. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study is an evaluation of published papers on machine learning as employed in mastitis research. The aim of this study was the quantitative evaluation of the scientific content and the bibliometric details of these papers. In total, 69 papers were found to combine machine learning in mastitis research and were considered in detail. There was a progressive yearly increase in published papers, which originated from 23 countries (mostly from China or the United States of America). Most original articles (n = 59) referred to work involving cattle, relevant to mastitis in individual animals. Most articles described work related to the development and diagnosis of the infection. Fewer articles described work on the antibiotic resistance of pathogens isolated from cases of mastitis and on the treatment of the infection. In most studies (98.5% of published papers), supervised machine learning models were employed. Most frequently, decision trees and support vector machines were employed in the studies described. 'Machine learning' and 'mastitis' were the most frequently used keywords. The papers were published in 39 journals, with most frequent publications in Computers and Electronics in Agriculture and Journal of Dairy Science. The median number of cited references in the papers was 39 (interquartile range: 31). There were 435 co-authors in the papers (mean: 6.2 per paper, median: 5, min.–max.: 1–93) and 356 individual authors. The median number of citations received by the papers was 4 (min.–max.: 0–70). Most papers (72.5%) were published in open-access mode. This study summarized the characteristics of papers on mastitis and artificial intelligence. Future studies could explore using these methodologies at farm level, and extending them to other animal species, while unsupervised learning techniques might also prove to be useful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The combination of Creative Dance and BrainDance within the context of physical education could be a promising innovation. This combined program can be implemented in primary school to help students achieve a better and more holistic assessment of their Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL), covering aspects of physical, emotional, social, and mental functioning and well-being. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact that a combined Creative Dance and BrainDance program based on the Laban Theory of Movement Analysis has on HRQoL perceptions of primary school students when this program is implemented within the context of the physical education curriculum in primary school. For this purpose, an eight-week educational intervention was designed combining Creative Dance and BrainDance into one single program. The survey sample consisted of 32 fifth- and sixth-grade primary school students. The Kidscreen-52 questionnaire was used to collect data. Data analysis was performed with the use of descriptive statistical indices and mixed analysis of variance (ANOVA). Although the results showed no differences between the beginning and end of the educational intervention, a fact that might be due to the small sample and the time of the implementation of the program (limited to 8 weeks), its implementation produced very good results with regard to improvisation, body control, balance, and coordination, as well as kinaesthetic awareness and musical rhythmic skills. Creative Dance and BrainDance promote imagination, creativity, improvisation, and self-esteem in general, particularly in primary school students..

West Nile virus (WNV) is the etiologic agent of an ongoing human disease outbreak in Greece since 2010. Until 2014, successive yearly outbreaks occurred mainly in central and northeastern Greece [...]

Moral development is one of the goals of physical education (PE). However, few programmes have been implemented to investigate how moral development is promoted in PE settings. This study was designed in order to explore the effectiveness of a six-week specially designed moral development intervention in the PE domain in high school students, and to examine whether moral reasoning differs between males and females. The intervention's design was based on the creation of a task-orientated motivation climate and on reciprocal teaching style. The sample (n = 157) was assigned to control (n = 80) and experimental (n = 77) groups. At the beginning and end of the intervention the Moral Judgment Test was applied. The results revealed that the experimental group exhibited statistically greater moral reasoning after the intervention compared to the control group; however, no significant gender differences were found. These findings indicate that an appropriate design of PE could support moral development. (Contains 1 table.)

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), recently renamed as metabolic (dysfunction)-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), is a complex, multifactorial disease that progresses via nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) towards severe liver complications. MAFLD/NAFLD affects up to a third of the global population. It is connected with metabolic syndrome parameters and has been increasing in parallel with the rates of metabolic syndrome parameters worldwide. This disease entity exhibits a strong immune-inflammatory dimension. In MAFLD/NAFLD/NASH, a vast network of innate immune cells is mobilized that can provoke liver damage, leading to advanced fibrosis, cirrhosis and its complications, including hepatocellular carcinoma. However, our understanding of the inflammatory signals that drive the onset and progression of MAFLD/NAFLD/NASH is fragmented. Thus, further investigation is required to better understand the role of specific innate immune cell subsets in the disease, and to aid the design of innovative therapeutic agents to target MAFLD/NAFLD/NASH. In this review, we discuss current concepts regarding the role of innate immune system involvement in MAFLD/NAFLD/NASH onset and progression, along with presenting potential stress signals affecting immune tolerance that may trigger aberrant immune responses. A comprehensive understanding of the innate immune mechanisms involved in MAFLD/NAFLD/NASH pathophysiology will help the discovery of early interventions to prevent the disease, and lead to potential innovative therapeutic strategies that may limit its worldwide burden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

LINKED CONTENT: This article is linked to Idalsoaga et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.18193 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.18246 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

LINKED CONTENT: This article is linked to Lin et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17930 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.18182. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Teaching ethical behavior is an aspect of physical education. The purpose of the study was to present the construction and to estimate validity of a test which assesses physical education students' moral judgment, the Moral Judgment Test in Physical Education. The sample comprised 281 male and female participants (95 in Grades 7 to 9, 92 in Grades 10 to 12, and 94 university students), who completed Lind's Moral Judgment Test and the Moral Judgment Test-PE version. The validity of the latter was assessed using four criteria of Lind's moral theory. Analysis indicated that the Moral Judgment Test-PE had adequate construct validity and correlated positively, although relatively weakly, with the original test, so the new version has sufficient construct validity to be used in physical education.