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Background and Objectives: There are typical differences in body composition and distribution of muscle fiber types between women and men. However, research investigating the effects of exercise based on sex differences is limited, and studies examining sex differences in physiological adaptations according to exercise type are scarce. We aimed to compare the effects of exercise types on muscle strength and body composition in men and women through a meta-analysis. Materials and Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted using the PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, CINAHL, and EBSCO databases. Keywords included “endurance training”, “resistance training”, “concurrent training”, “muscle strength”, “body composition”, “sex characteristics”, and “men and women”. The standardized mean difference (SMD) was presented separately for men and women based on the pre- and post-intervention values for each exercise type. Results: Concurrent training showed the greatest effect on the increase in leg press muscle strength in men, and resistance training showed the greatest effect in women. Concurrent training showed the greatest effect size in both men and women in increasing bench press muscle strength. Resistance training and concurrent training showed a small effect size on lean mass reduction in both men and women. Endurance training and concurrent training significantly reduced fat mass in men. However, no significant changes in fat mass were observed in any exercise type among women. Conclusions: Concurrent training is the most efficient type of exercise for men, as it is effective in increasing upper- and lower-body muscle strength, increasing lean mass, and reducing fat mass. Resistance training is most effective in increasing muscle strength in females, whereas endurance training is most effective in reducing fat mass. However, it is difficult to corroborate these results because of the lack of study samples included in the analysis and the differences in exercise methods, participant age, and exercise duration.

Sarcopenia affects tens of millions of adults worldwide, with a reported prevalence of 10-50% among older adults. A decrease in muscle strength and function due to aging reduces physical performance, causing pain and disease. Accordingly, interest in the treatment or prevention of sarcopenia through resistance exercises, which have been found to be effective in improving muscle strength and hypertrophy, is increasing. However, given the individual differences, it is difficult to determine the optimal RE method. Currently, the importance of personalized resistance exercise (RE) prescriptions is emphasized, and research on sex/gender differences needs to be conducted. Our review focused on the effects of resistance exercise on muscle strength, muscle hypertrophy, and muscle function in older adults in relation to sex differences. In this review, we aimed to analyze sex differences in the effect of RE on older adults with sarcopenia and provide meaningful information for future research on exercise programs for individuals with sarcopenia.

Purpose The present review aimed to verify the meta-effects of resistance training (RT) or protein supplementation (PS) on usual gait speed (UGS) in postmenopausal women and the additive effect of RT and PS on UGS. Methods A systematic literature search of PubMed/Medline and Web of Science (core collection) was performed from inception to December 31, 2021. Electronic search methods were used to identify 18 relevant randomized controlled trials. Meta-analyses of standardized mean difference (SMD) calculated using Hedges’ g between RT and/or PS groups versus control groups were conducted using a random-effects model. The meta-effects are presented in a forest plot with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Results The meta-analysis showed that RT significantly improved UGS (SMD, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.12-0.68; p=.006), while PS did not improve UGS (SMD, −0.17; 95% CI, −0.80 to 0.46; p=.601). A subgroup analysis indicated that there were significant increases in UGS after both ‘RT-only intervention (SMD, 0.30; 95% CI, 0.01 to 0.59; p=.046)’ and ‘RT combined with balance training (BT) (SMD, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.17-1.13; p=.008)’, while there was no significant increase in UGS after ‘RT combined with power training (PT) (SMD, −0.08; 95% CI, −0.62 to 0.45; p=.765)’. There was no additive effect on UGS after RT combined with PS (SMD, −0.06; 95% CI, −0.36 to 0.24; p=.699). Conclusions This study revealed that RT significantly improved UGS in postmenopausal women, and adding BT to RT further improved UGS. In addition, there was no significant improvement in UGS after PS in postmenopausal women, and no additive effect on UGS after RT combined with PS.

Pagna Sok,1,2 Osaro Mgbere,3,4 Lisa Pompeii,1,2 Ekere James Essien1,4,5 1The University of Texas School of Public Health, Texas Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA; 2Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA; 3Disease Prevention and Control Division, Houston Health Department, Houston, TX, USA; 4Institute of Community Health, University of Houston, Texas Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA; 5Department of Pharmaceutical Health Outcomes and Policy, University of Houston College of Pharmacy, Houston, TX, USACorrespondence: Osaro MgbereDisease Prevention & Control Division, Houston Health Department, 8000 North Stadium Drive, Houston, TX, 77054-1823, USATel +1-832-393-4593Email Osaro.Mgbere@Houstontx.govIntroduction: Few studies have estimated complete antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence following HIV infection since the advent of the new ART guidelines in 2012. This study determined the prevalence and influence of sociodemographic, behavioral, and clinical factors on complete ART adherence among people living with HIV (PLWH) receiving medical care in Houston/Harris County, Texas.Methods: Data from the Houston Medical Monitoring Project survey collected from 2009 to 2014 among 1073 participants were used in this study. The primary outcome evaluated was combined adherence, defined as complete, partial, and incomplete combined adherence based on three ART adherence types—dose, schedule, and instruction adherence. The duration living since initial HIV diagnosis was classified as < 5, 5– 10 and > 10 years. Rao–Scott Chi-square test and multivariable proportional-odds cumulative logit regression models were employed to identify the sociodemographic, behavioral, and clinical characteristics of complete combined adherence among the three groups of PLWH living with HIV infection.Results: More than one-half (54.4%) of PLWH had complete, 37.4% had partial, and 8.3% had incomplete combined adherence. Among these PLWH, 52.2% had been infected with HIV for > 10 years, and 26.5% and 21.4% were infected for < 5 years and 5– 10 years, respectively. PLWH who were diagnosed < 5 and 5– 10 years were two times (aOR=1.71, 95% CI=1.13– 2.57; aOR=1.69, 95% CI=1.10– 2.59; respectively) more likely to experience complete combined adherence than those with > 10 years of infection. Multiple sociodemographic, behavioral, and clinical characteristics were significantly associated with complete adherence and varied by the duration of HIV infection.Conclusion: Measures of adherence should include all adherence types (dose, schedule, instruction), as utilizing a single adherence type will overestimate adherence level in PLWH receiving medical care. Intervention efforts to maintain adherence should target recently infected PLWH, while those aimed at improving adherence should focus on longer infected PLWH.Keywords: HIV, people living with HIV, antiretroviral therapy, medication adherence, Medical Monitoring Project

The main aim of this study is to examine the mediating effect of psychological capital (PsyCap) on the relationship between proactive personality and academic performance among undergraduates. A quantitative approach with a cross-sectional study was employed. The sample consisted of 390 undergraduate students from Malaysian private universities. Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modeling was used to confirm the proposed research model and test the hypotheses. Results revealed that proactive personality explained a significant proportion of the variance in PsyCap. Further, PsyCap partially mediated the relationship between proactive personality and academic performance. This study concluded that PsyCap could serve as personal resource to improve students' academic performance. The findings of this study offer valuable theoretical and practical implications. The university's management and academic staff need to work together to design effective training interventions and activities that can promote undergraduates' proactive personality and PsyCap.

Hydropower, although an attractive renewable energy source, can alter the flux of water, sediments, and biota, producing detrimental impacts in downstream regions. The Mekong River illustrates the impacts of large dams and the limitations of conventional dam regulating strategies. Even under the most optimistic sluicing scenario, sediment load at the Mekong Delta could only recover to 62.3 ± 8.2 million tonnes (1 million tonnes = 109 kilograms), short of the (100 to 160)-million tonne historical level. Furthermore, unless retrofit to reroute sediments, the dams are doomed to continue trapping sediment for at least 170 years and thus starve downstream reaches of sediment, contributing to the impending disappearance of the Mekong Delta. Therefore, we explicitly challenge the widespread use of large dead storages-the portion of the reservoirs that cannot be emptied-in dam designs. Smaller dead storages can ease sediment starvation in downstream regions, thereby buffering against sinking deltas or relative sea level rises.

The obesity epidemic continues to worsen worldwide, driving metabolic and chronic inflammatory diseases. Thiazolidinediones, such as rosiglitazone (Rosi), are PPARγ agonists that promote 'M2-like' adipose tissue macrophage (ATM) polarization and cause insulin sensitization. As ATM-derived small extracellular vesicles (ATM-sEVs) from lean mice are known to increase insulin sensitivity, we assessed the metabolic effects of ATM-sEVs from Rosi-treated obese male mice (Rosi-ATM-sEVs). Here we show that Rosi leads to improved glucose and insulin tolerance, transcriptional repolarization of ATMs and increased sEV secretion. Administration of Rosi-ATM-sEVs rescues obesity-induced glucose intolerance and insulin sensitivity in vivo without the known thiazolidinedione-induced adverse effects of weight gain or haemodilution. Rosi-ATM-sEVs directly increase insulin sensitivity in adipocytes, myotubes and primary mouse and human hepatocytes. Additionally, we demonstrate that the miRNAs within Rosi-ATM-sEVs, primarily miR-690, are responsible for these beneficial metabolic effects. Thus, using ATM-sEVs with specific miRNAs may provide a therapeutic path to induce insulin sensitization.

This study investigated the effects of labels on preschool teachers' attitudes (i.e. openness) towards the strengths and difficulties of autistic preschool students in the mainstream setting. It also examined the differential effect of disclosure of a specific or a generic label, and the teacher-related factors influencing their attitude. Sample consisted of 106 mainstream preschool teachers (mean age = 30.37 years, "SD" = 8.85) from Singapore randomly assigned to one of three groups: "Autism Spectrum Disorder Label", "Special Needs Label", or the "No Label" group. Participants read a total of 15 vignettes depicting characteristics of autistic preschool students as strengths, difficulties, and neutral behaviours. They then rated their openness towards the featured student and complete a measure of their autism knowledge. Results indicated that the disclosure of a student's special needs label improved teachers' attitudes towards the difficulties faced by autistic students compared to when no label was disclosed. Teachers' knowledge of autism and whether teachers had experience teaching autistic students predicted the openness rating. This study has implications for parents regarding diagnosis disclosure, for the whole educational system when designing diagnosis and information transfer and the importance of professional training among early childhood educators.

Listening comprehension plays a pivotal role in second language (L2) acquisition, but the process of listening is complex. L2 learners' listening ability is influenced by both cognitive and affective factors. Among the latter, anxiety is one of the most commonly studied variables in the field of education (Horwitz, 2001); however, its impact on learners' listening performance is inconsistent in previous research and there have been contradictory findings regarding whether anxiety levels differed significantly according to gender. To address these limitations, this study investigated the effect of gender and foreign language listening anxiety (FLLA) on listening comprehension among 187 university students in China. In addition, it explored whether there were significant differences in FLLA levels between genders. Data sources included the FLLA scale and the Oxford Online Listening Level Test to measure FLLA and L2 listening comprehension, respectively. Results from between-groups analysis of variance showed that listeners with low anxiety listened significantly better than listeners with moderate and high levels of anxiety. Gender differences were examined in two aspects of listening: listening comprehension and FLLA. Specifically, females performed better than males in listening comprehension, and females had a higher level of FLLA compared to males. These results provide implications for teaching L2 listening considering the role of anxiety and gender.

Abstract Background To investigate the sociodemographic, anthropometric, biochemical, lifestyle and cardiometabolic risk factors associated with type 2 diabetes (T2D) among First Nations Australians. Methods A systematic review of prospective cohorts and cross-sectional studies was conducted. Electronic data sources (MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase, CINHAL, and PsycINFO) were searched for peer-reviewed articles until August 2023. We reviewed observational and interventional studies on T2D that reported sociodemographic, anthropometric, lifestyle, and biochemical risk factors for Australian First Nations people. Narrative synthesis was applied without meta-analysis. We highlighted the major risk factors for T2D by reporting the most significant findings from individual studies in the results. The review followed PRISMA guidelines. Results The review included 20 eligible studies: 12 cross-sectional studies and 8 prospective cohort studies. The findings from these studies showed that First Nations people who resided in very remote areas (Modified Monash Category 7; MM7) (OR = 1.61; 95% CI: 1.03, 2.52), living adjacent to food store stocking “Western” food items (OR = 2.92; 95% CI: 1.51, 5.63), rented their home (OR = 2.07; 95% CI: 1.30, 3.30) and part-time employment (OR = 2.47; 95% CI: 1.54, 3.95) were associated with a statistically higher risk of developing T2D. First Nations people who had obesity class 1 (BMI > 30 kg/m2), central obesity (WC > 88 cm in women; >102 cm in men), and higher waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) (≥ 1.0 in men and 0.85 in women) were more likely to have T2D. First Nations people with elevated triglycerides (≥ 1.7 mmol/L) (OR = 4.9; 95% CI: 2.7, 8.8), one standard deviation (SD) increase in C-reactive protein (CRP) value (AHR = 1.23; 95% CI: 1.05, 1.45) and lower levels of vitamin D (

Purpose: This study examines the management practices and alignment features needed to develop academic staff's careers, mainly focusing on teaching competencies in the evolving landscape of Cambodian public universities. Design/methodology/approach: A multiple-case research design was adopted to collect data from interviews with 11 academic leaders and focus-group discussions (FGDs) with 13 academic teachers at two public universities in provincial Cambodia. A thematic approach was performed to code and analyse data to address the research questions. Findings: This study found that the management of academic careers in the selected universities was hybrid, deregulating state control to relative institutional autonomy for contracted employees but rather centralised management for civil servants. However, weak institutional leadership and negligence in formulating comprehensive institutional guidelines for strategic human resource management (HRM) have caused misalignments of management practices to develop academic careers in the studied contexts. Research limitations/implications: This case study limits its findings to two universities in provincial Cambodia. Nevertheless, this study adds to the scarce literature on the research topic in Cambodian public universities and opens a path for cross-institutional and national comparative studies on similar foci. Originality/value: This is a ground-breaking study set in the evolving space of Cambodian public higher education, where attention to the research area remains limited.

This study examined the association between literacy and quality of life among rural seniors in the Republic of Korea. A sample of rural seniors (N = 1,000) was surveyed by the Korea Rural Economic Institute in 2018, which assessed their literacy levels, their lifelong literacy education status and their quality of life. The authors' analyses of the data collected in this survey reveal that higher literacy levels are positively associated with a greater likelihood of social inclusion and better mental health status among rural seniors. Furthermore, seniors with functional literacy demonstrated a higher probability of being included in the rural community compared to those with only basic literacy. Lastly, lifelong literacy education was found to play a crucial role in enhancing the literacy levels of rural seniors. As a policy recommendation, the authors suggest that local governments expand literacy education programmes to more rural areas of South Korea.