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On March 15, 2020, the Serbian government introduced a nationwide lockdown to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The enforcement of lockdown measures led to changes in the daily lives of dog owners, which, in turn, affected the routines of their dogs. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of Serbian lockdown measures enforced for the control of the COVID-19 pandemic on pet dog management. An online questionnaire survey with Serbian dog owners was conducted in the period from July 15 to August 31, 2021. A total of 384 pet owners older than 18 years participated. The survey comprised 34 questions about owners' demographic information, information about their dogs, changes in dog walking and feeding practices, as well as behavior before and after the COVID-19 lockdown. Most questions were closed-ended with the option to mark one or more proposed responses, while some questions had the option to add free text predefined as "other". The survey also included several open-ended questions. The responses of the survey participants in the two different periods (before and during the lockdown) were compared to determine their interdependence. The obtained data indicated that there was no notable rise in the rate of dog adoption or purchase. Furthermore, it was found that dog owners decreased the frequency of walks for their pets in nature or walking fields, choosing instead to keep them indoors or confine them to the backyard more frequently. Some owners believed that their dogs became slightly passive or nervous as a response to enforced lockdown restrictions. No significant changes in dog feeding practices were reported, although a minority of dog owners noted that their dogs consumed slightly less food during the lockdown but gained a small amount of weight. Additionally, owners reported no pronounced changes in the amount of money they spent on dog food. Overall, data collected indicated that lockdown restrictions had a limited impact on dog management; however, further research should be performed to determine any long-term effects.

Introduction/purpose: The paper explores the implementation of two-factor authentication (2FA) in computer systems, addressing the increasing need for enhanced security. It highlights the vulnerabilities of password-based authentication and emphasizes the advantages of 2FA in mitigating digital threats. The development of the VoiceAuth application, integrating 2FA through a combination of password and voice authentication, serves as a practical illustration. Methods: The research adopts a three-tier architecture for the VoiceAuth application, encompassing a database, server-side REST API, and client-side single-page application. Speaker verification is employed for voice authentication, analyzing elements like pitch, rhythm, and vocal tract shapes. The paper also discusses possibilities for future upgrades, suggesting enhancements such as real-time voice verification and additional 2FA methods. Results: The application's implementation involves a detailed breakdown of the REST API architecture, Single Page Applications (SPAs), and the Speaker Verification service. Conclusion: The research underscores the crucial role of two-factor authentication (2FA) in bolstering the security of computer systems. The VoiceAuth application serves as a practical demonstration, showcasing the successful integration of 2FA through a combination of password and voice authentication. The modular architecture of the application allows for potential upgrades.

This study aimed to validate the automated temporal analysis of countermovement vertical jump (CMJ) using MMPose, a markerless pose estimation framework, by comparing it with the gold-standard 3D marker-based motion capture system. Twelve participants performed five CMJ trials, which were simultaneously recorded using the marker-based system and two smartphone cameras capturing both sides of the body. Key kinematic points, including center of mass (CoM) and toe trajectories, were analyzed to determine jump phases and temporal variables. The agreement between methods was assessed using Bland–Altman analysis, root mean square error (RMSE), and Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r), while consistency was evaluated via intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC 3,1) and two-way repeated-measures ANOVA. Cohen’s effect size (d) quantified the practical significance of differences. Results showed strong agreement (r > 0.98) with minimal bias and narrow limits of agreement for most variables. The markerless system slightly overestimated jump height and CoM vertical velocity, but ICC values (ICC > 0.91) confirmed strong reliability. Cohen’s d values were near zero, indicating trivial differences, and no variability due to recording side was observed. Overall, MMPose proved to be a reliable alternative for in-field CMJ analysis, supporting its broader application in sports and rehabilitation settings.

Given the complex nature of the handball as a game, players are required to possess a distinct set of physical and physiological attributes to attain peak performance. With the countermovement vertical jump (CVJ) being widely implemented as a non-invasive and time-efficient testing modality in sports settings, the purpose of the present study was twofold: (a) to establish a CVJ profile of professional female handball players and (b) to examine differences in force-time metrics between starters and non-starters. Forty-two professional female handball players (e.g., SuperLeague) volunteered to participate in this study. Each athlete performed three maximum-effort CVJs with no arm swing while standing on a uni-axial force plate system sampling at 1,000 Hz. Independent t-tests were used to examine differences in each variable between starters and non-starters. The results revealed that starters attained superior performance within the eccentric phase of the CVJ when compared to non-starters, particularly in terms of eccentric peak velocity (−0.957 ± 0.242 vs. −0.794 ± 0.177 m·s−1), eccentric mean power (320.0 ± 77.7 vs. 267.1 ± 75.2 W), and eccentric peak power (929.0 ± 388.1 vs. 684.4 ± 214.2 W). While not reaching the level of statistical significance, moderate-to-large effect sizes were observed for concentric impulse, peak velocity, and mean and peak force and power, all in favor of players included in the starting lineup (g = 0.439–0.655). Overall, these findings suggest that at the top-tier level of handball competition, the ability to secure a spot in a starting lineup may be possibly influenced by the athlete's eccentric performance capabilities. Thus, the development of lower-body eccentric strength and power may positively impact on-court athlete performance and ultimately help the team secure the desired game outcome.

This study explored the changes in the rate of torque development scaling factor (RTD-SF) and maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVC) variables following six weeks of unilateral isometric electromyostimulation (EMS) and voluntary (VOL) exercises. Twenty-six physically active participants were randomly assigned to EMS (n = 13) or a VOL group. MVC and RTD-SF of the quadriceps femoris of both legs were assessed before and after training. EMS and VOL exercises had identical frequency (three sessions/week), intensity (60% MVC), volume (40 contractions), and work-to-rest ratio (18 min: 6.25 s of work/20 s of rest). There were no between-group differences for the trained leg with overall increases in maximal torque (Tmax) of ~29% (d = 2.11–2.12), ~13% for RTDmax (d = 0.92–1.10); ~23% for Intercept (d = 0.72–0.78), and reduction in RTD-SF by ~15% (d = 1.01–1.10). In the non-trained leg, significant moderate change was only observed after EMS for RTD-SF which decreased by 12.5% (d = 0.76). Both EMS and VOL training applied at equivalent workloads positively impact on Tmax, RTDmax, and Intercept, but they negatively affect the quickness with which muscle contracts across a wide range of submaximal forces. Using a moderate training intensity in regularly physically active participants could explain the absence of cross-education in the VOL group.

Given the multidirectional nature of the sport, handball athletes must frequently perform high-intensity decelerations to avoid defenders, generate space, or perform directional changes. The aim of the present study was twofold: (i) to investigate different kinematic measures of horizontal deceleration performance by comparing the acceleration-deceleration assessment (ADA) with the 5-0-5 test and (ii) to investigate relationships between force-time characteristics derived from the countermovement vertical jump (CVJ) and measures of horizontal deceleration performance. Eleven female handball players competing in the first-tier professional league in Europe performed three CVJs while standing on a uni-axial force plate system sampling at 1000 Hz, followed by two ADAs (i.e., maximal-effort acceleration over a 10 m distance, followed by rapid deceleration) and 5-0-5 test trials. Tripod-mounted radar sampling at 47 Hz, placed 5 m behind the start line, was used to record horizontal velocity data. Each test was separated by a 5–7 min rest interval to minimize the influence of fatigue. No statistically significant differences were found in horizontal deceleration performance parameters between ADA and the 5-0-5 test. However, athletes with a higher CVJ height and reactive strength index-modified showed better performance in terms of horizontal deceleration measures such as maximal approach velocity and average and maximal deceleration. Overall, these results may be of interest to practitioners working with multidirectional sport athletes such as handball players as they provide critical insight for the selection of assessments and training strategies targeted toward optimizing on-court athlete performance.

This study aimed to validate the automated temporal analysis of countermovement vertical jump (CMJ) using MMPose, a markerless pose estimation framework, by comparing it with the gold-standard 3D marker-based motion capture system. Twelve participants performed five CMJ trials, which were simultaneously recorded using the marker-based system and two smartphone cameras capturing both sides of the body. Key kinematic points, including center of mass (CoM) and toe trajectories, were analyzed to determine jump phases and temporal variables. The agreement between methods was assessed using Bland–Altman analysis, root mean square error (RMSE), and Pearson's correlation coefficient (r), while consistency was evaluated via intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC 3,1) and two-way repeated-measures ANOVA. Cohen's effect size (d) quantified the practical significance of differences. Results showed strong agreement (r > 0.98) with minimal bias and narrow limits of agreement for most variables. The markerless system slightly overestimated jump height and CoM vertical velocity, but ICC values (ICC > 0.91) confirmed strong reliability. Cohen's d values were near zero, indicating trivial differences, and no variability due to recording side was observed. Overall, MMPose proved to be a reliable alternative for in-field CMJ analysis, supporting its broader application in sports and rehabilitation settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pregnancy is a special physiological condition, where drug treatment presents a special concern. The use of drugs during pregnancy is increasing. Micronuclei, chromosomal aberrations, and sister chromatid exchanges are biomarkers of early biological effects which play an important role in assessing the genetic integrity of both individuals and populations. The aim of this review is to make a cross-section of previously conducted studies on the detections of genotoxic effects of drugs on human peripheral blood lymphocytes, after therapeutic exposure during the second and third trimester of pregnancy, as well as in umbilical blood lymphocytes of newborns whose mothers received the same therapy. Previous studies have shown that the cells of pregnant women and newborns are very sensitive to the effects of genotoxins, and cytogenetic biomarkers are associated with the risk of developing numerous diseases, including cancer in adults. Altogether, the administration of various doses and times of use of medications should be performed with caution.

Featured Application: Rate of Torque Development Scaling Factor (RTD-SF) is sensitive enough to detect changes following training programs based on electrostimulation or voluntary contractions. This study explored the changes in the rate of torque development scaling factor (RTD-SF) and maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVC) variables following six weeks of unilateral isometric electromyostimulation (EMS) and voluntary (VOL) exercises. Twenty-six physically active participants were randomly assigned to EMS (n = 13) or a VOL group. MVC and RTD-SF of the quadriceps femoris of both legs were assessed before and after training. EMS and VOL exercises had identical frequency (three sessions/week), intensity (60% MVC), volume (40 contractions), and work-to-rest ratio (18 min: 6.25 s of work/20 s of rest). There were no between-group differences for the trained leg with overall increases in maximal torque (Tmax) of ~29% (d = 2.11–2.12), ~13% for RTDmax (d = 0.92–1.10); ~23% for Intercept (d = 0.72–0.78), and reduction in RTD-SF by ~15% (d = 1.01–1.10). In the non-trained leg, significant moderate change was only observed after EMS for RTD-SF which decreased by 12.5% (d = 0.76). Both EMS and VOL training applied at equivalent workloads positively impact on Tmax, RTDmax, and Intercept, but they negatively affect the quickness with which muscle contracts across a wide range of submaximal forces. Using a moderate training intensity in regularly physically active participants could explain the absence of cross-education in the VOL group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is a biomarker involved in a wide range of diseases including cardiac remodeling following acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Identification of prognostic markers in patients with AMI can guide strategies towards improved survival and quality of life. Methods: Our study included 59 patients with AMI and a preserved ejection fraction. We determined the Gal-3 plasma concentration within 24 h of chest pain onset from the aortic root, femoral/radial artery, coronary sinus and cubital vein. Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) were evaluated at six months follow-up. Results: MACE at six months post-AMI was recorded in 20 patients (34%). The Gal-3 plasma concentration from the aortic root and the femoral/radial artery were independent predictors of MACE at six months follow-up after the first AMI (OR 1.228; 95%CI: 1.011–1.491; p = 0.038; OR 3.438; 95%CI: 1.275–9.265; p = 0.015). ROC analysis identifies the Gal-3 plasma concentration from the aortic root as a better predictor of MACE or death (cut-off ≥ 10.86 ng/mL; AUC 0.858; 95%CI: 0.744–0.973; p < 0.001) than Gal-3 plasma concentration from the femoral/radial artery (cut-off ≥ 10.18 ng/mL; AUC 0.742; 95%CI: 0.596–0.888; p = 0.006). Conclusion: the Gal-3 plasma concentration in patients with AMI determined during coronary angiography, especially from the aortic root, within 24 h after chest pain onset is a valuable biomarker of prognosis at six months follow-up.

Camelina has been used from ancient times, but recently has re-emerged as a valuable plant with the potential for successful replacement of conventional oilseed crops. The utilisation of camelina and its by-products in animal feed is a matter of scientific study due to their excellent nutritional potential. The present study aimed to investigate the nutritive value of two Serbian camelina seed genotypes (NS Zlatka and NS Slatka) as a potential alternative to commonly used oilseed crops in animal feeding. For that purpose proximate composition, fatty acid profile, amino acid profile and tocopherols were analysed. The study also included the investigation of the content of anti-nutritive compounds that can adversely affect the nutritional value of feed. The results showed that camelina seeds had a high amount of proteins (around 28%), amino acids and gtocopherols. Camelina genotypes were characterized by unique fatty acids composition, with its oil consisting of approximately 57% polyunsaturated fatty acids, of which the highest proportions were a-linolenic acid (~37%) and linoleic acid (~17%). An optimal ratio of n-6 and n-3 fatty acids (0.5) was also reported in this study. The concentration of anti-nutritional factors and heavy metals in camelina seeds was below the maximum set limit for feedstuff. To conclude, the investigated Serbian camelina genotypes can be used as a valuable source of proteins, essential fatty acids and tocopherols in animal nutrition and has a great potential to replace conventional oilseeds.

The rate of force development scaling factor (RFD-SF) has been used to assess neuromuscular quickness. However, the common protocols are lengthy. This study evaluated the validity and reliability of the reduced protocol to assess the RFD-SF and its validity in detecting inter-limb asymmetries. Eighteen participants (five females and thirteen males; mean age = 20.8 ± 0.6 years) performed the common and reduced RFD-SF protocols (five isometric pulse knee extensions at 30 and 70% of maximal voluntary contraction). A repeat measure design was employed including one test session of the common protocol and two test sessions of the reduced protocol. Correlation analysis was conducted to investigate the association between the two protocols, while a paired-sample t-test and a Bland–Altman plot assessed whether the reduced protocol provided valid results. The between-day reliability was assessed using an intra-class correlation coefficient, coefficient of variation, typical error of measurement, and paired-sample t-test. The validity to detect asymmetries was checked with the paired-sample t-test. The correlation between RFD-SF obtained using two protocols was significant (p < 0.001) and very large for the dominant (r = 0.71) and non-dominant (r = 0.80) legs. No significant difference occurred between protocols in the RFD-SF for the dominant (p = 0.480, d = 0.17) and non-dominant legs (p = 0.213, d = 0.31). The reliability was acceptable for both legs, with no between-day difference for the dominant (p = 0.393) and non-dominant legs (p = 0.436). No significant difference between the two protocols (p = 0.415, d = 0.19) was found in the detection of inter-limb asymmetries. The results of this study suggest that the reduced protocol could be used as a valid and reliable alternative to the common protocol, as well as to identify interlimb asymmetries.

The use of UAVs (drones) and photogrammetry has gained attention in recent years in the construction industry, allowing information to be obtained from a given area without having direct contact with the area, and thus, being a more efficient alternative in terms of time and costs when compared to a traditional topographic survey. Due to the increase in the use of UAVs for photogrammetry, an investigation is proposed to determine the influence of a non-controllable component in photogrammetric flights: the weather. Factors such as brightness, temperature, wind, KP index, and solar radiation affect the precision and quality of the images to be used in photogrammetry. This research determines which factors are most influential in these results through a varied database obtained over a year. In this way, the moments with the most favorable conditions for a photogrammetric flight in climates such as that of the city of Lima or similar are established. A total of 448 flights carried out over a year were analyzed, collecting climatic data such as air temperature, speed and wind direction, solar radiation, and KP index. The flights, which were carried out with a Mavic 2 Pro UAV, were carried out at 100 m high and with a camera at 90° to obtain detailed information on the works.

Objective: The Epilepsy Self-Stigma Scale (ESSS) has been developed in Japan for patients with epilepsy (PWE). We aimed to validate the scale in Spanish and examine its validity and reliability., Methods: The transcultural adaptation of the ESSS was conducted using translation and back-translation, along with pilot testing and an expert panel review. An online questionnaire was used to assess construct validity, criterion validity, and internal consistency., Results: A total of 260 out of 628 participants completed the questionnaires. We found a two-factor structure that explained 61.3% of the total variance: factor 1 "self-perceived discrimination" with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.80, and factor 2 "social isolation" with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.75. The reliability of overall ESSS-S 8-item scores was high (Cronbach's alpha = 0.74). Convergent validity was tested and demonstrated a significant correlation. P. Self-perceived discrimination scores were associated with higher anxiety and depression scores (r = 0.53/0.54; p < 0.001), lower self-esteem (-0.53; p < 0.001), and lower quality of life (r = -0.66; p < 0.001). Social isolation scores were associated with higher anxiety and depression scores (r = 0.41/0.33; p < 0.001), lower self-esteem (-0.34; p < 0.001), and lower quality of life (r = -0.35; p < 0.001). Temporal reliability was also tested, showing a test-retest ICC of 0.87. The mean self-stigma score in the Spanish population was 17.68 ± 5.45 out of 32 points. Invariance across gender and age groups indicated that there are no systematic response biases by gender or age, so stratified scores could be related to other constructs., Significance: The Spanish version of ESSS (ESSS-S) is a valid and reliable tool for the assessment of self-stigma in PWE among Spanish speakers., Plain Language Summary: This study aimed to validate the Epilepsy Self-Stigma Scale (ESSS) for Spanish speakers (ESSS-S). We conducted transcultural adaptation of the scale. ESSS-S showed high reliability and strong validity, correlating with higher anxiety and depression, lower self-esteem, and quality of life. ESSS-S is a reliable and valid tool for assessing self-stigma in Spanish-speaking people with epilepsy., (© 2024 The Author(s). Epilepsia Open published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International League Against Epilepsy.)

This research aimed to develop a reliable, easy-to-perform and cheap method for measuring protein oxidation in complex samples such as aquaculture feed within various protein sources. For that purpose modified 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH)-based method for quantification of protein carbonyls was employed whilst the modification of the method consisted of using different solutions for the extraction (distilled water and different concentrations of KCl and NaCl solutions), time of protein extraction (after homogenization and over the night) and concentration of trichloroacetic acid (10 and 25% TCA) for protein precipitation. Extraction during the night, higher TCA concentration and the use of 0.5 M KCl extraction solution resulted in the highest protein amount measured by the Lowry method and 280 nm protein estimation. On the other hand, the lowest protein yield was obtained by using distilled water for the extraction. Furthermore, the lowest amount of protein carbonyls was in the case when extraction was performed with distilled water (DW), while the highest content of protein carbonyls was reached with 0.15 M KCl and 0.5 M KCl extraction solutions. It was observed that the amount of proteinbound carbonyls compounds was increasing during storage under accelerated conditions and, in comparison to the original method, the modified method for measuring protein oxidation resulted in a higher amount of carbonyls during all points of storage.

The assessment of the suitability of the granulometric composition of the crushed stone aggregates (CSA) for an unbound base and subbase layers of pavement, in the Republic of Serbia is done based on the defined gradation bands, uniformity degree (Cu), coefficient of curvature (Cz), percentage of fines and percentage of particles passing a 0.02 mm sieve. On the other hand, standards which define the quality requirements of aggregates and unbound mixtures for road construction SRPS EN 13242 and SRPS EN 13285 introduce a significantly different approach to the assessment of the granulometric composition suitability. Categories are defined. Each category includes a particular boundary band, tolerances on sieves, differences in values passing each sieve. The categories are defined depending on the field of the application. For seven CSA 0/31.5 mm used for the construction of Corridor XI, a comparative analysis of the granulometric composition suitability was performed according to the requirements of the existing Technical Specifications (TS) of PE "Roads of Serbia" (PERS) and the specified SRPS EN standards. The analysed curves satisfy those technical requirements, but vary in categories from the most severe mixtures of the normal granulometric composition of the GA category, to the open mixtures of the GP category. It was concluded that the principle based on the defining allowed tolerances on the sieves and between the sieves, is more suitable for field control of of the granulometric composition and the good granularity of the aggregates. Technical Specifications should be modified to this approach.

The paper presents the technical solution of the main sewer collector on the Herceg Novi Riviera, which was built from 2008 to 2019, as a gravity-pushing pipeline. It is located in the trunk of the coastal road-pedestrian road, with 11 pumping stations, connected in a row. The collector is connected to the Herceg Novi sewage system through a wastewater treatment plant, located in the central part of the municipality, in Meljine. It is presented through technical problems that are reflected in its functionality.

The main objective of present study was to evaluate inter-rater reliability and concurrent validity of Side Hop Test stopwatch vs. force plates timing, and to determine the number of sessions and trials required to minimize the effects of learning on Side Hop Test total time and limb symmetry index. Fifteen healthy male physical education students (mean ± SD: age, 23 ± 3 years; height, 181 ± 9 cm; and weight 72 ± 6 kg) participated. Side Hop Test total time (stopwatch and force plates) of left and right leg, and limb symmetry index (force plates) were obtained over seven sessions conducted 5–7 days apart. Time recordings of two raters were similar (t = −0.56, p > 0.05) with high reliability (all ICC >0.99 and CV% 0.05; for rater 1 and 2, respectively). Total time improved across the Sessions (F = 25.87, p < 0.01, ω2 = 0.18) and Trials (F = 68.15, p < 0.01, ω2 = 0.10), with no significant interaction between factors. No between-leg differences were detected (F = 0.52, p > 0.05, ω2 = 0.001). Limb symmetry index ranged from 0.999 to 1.055 across all sessions and trials (all p > 0.05 and ω2 < 0.00). Due to low coefficient of correlation, high interclass correlation coefficient, and the lack in heteroscedasticity, stopwatch measurements are valid to measure total time in the Side Hop Test. Moreover, stopwatch measurements could be reliably used to measure total time in the Side Hop Test, while the test could be administrated with only one experienced rater. Unlike total times, findings on limb symmetry index suggest it could be reliably assessed after seven familiarization sessions.

A global increase in the demand for livestock products suggests that there will be a consequent rise in demand for feed, not only of cereals but of other feeds and particularly proteins. In the present study, oil industry by-products such as soybean meal, soybean cake and sunflower meal were analysed as sources of amino acids in animal nutrition. From among oilseed byproducts, the soybean meal content the most of crude protein up to 44% and the best of amino acid composition, while content of crude cellulose (about 6%) is lower in comparison to other oilseed meals. The results showed that the total amino acids in the examined samples ranged from 31.87 to 41.01%, and the total essential and nonessential amino acids varied from 13.41 to 17.38% and from 18.46 to 23.76%, respectively. Generally, the protein contained in soybean meal and cake was rich in essential amino acids. However, because of the lowest amino acid score, methionine was considered as a limiting amino acid in both soybean by-products. On the other hand, soya's meal contained higher level of lysine than other protein-based vegetable alternative to soya like sunflower meals examined in this study. Glutamic acid, aspartic acid, leucine and valine were the most abundant amino acids in all tested by-products of the oil industry. Therefore, partial substitution of protein sources in feeds with proteins from the oil industry by-products may improve feed quality.

Oxidative changes in fish feed during storage are a major problem in aquaculture nutrition. The current study aims to present fast and simple spectrometric method to measure thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in the commercial rainbow trout feeds without hydrolysis step, as a method for determination of lipid peroxidation. The proposed test was validated and relevant method characteristics which were evaluated within the validation protocol were: linearity (range), limit of detection, limit of quantification, precision (repeatability and intra-laboratory reproducibility), accuracy and method performance (Xand R-control charts). The obtained results indicated that presented TBARS test was linear in the range of 1.11-13.33 nmol/mL and precise under both repeatability and reproducibility test conditions. The method was characterized by acceptable accuracy considering low analyte concentration in the samples. The method also showed to be stable in terms of changes in the average level and variability. The results in the present work indicated that the proposed test could be successfully applied for TBARS quantification in rainbow trout feed for routine quality control in aquaculture sector, especially in case when need to analyse a great number of samples in a short time.

The purpose of the present study was (i) to explore the reliability of the most commonly used countermovement jump (CMJ) metrics, and (ii) to reduce a large pool of metrics with acceptable levels of reliability via principal component analysis to the significant factors capable of providing distinctive aspects of CMJ performance. Seventy-nine physically active participants (thirty-seven females and forty-two males) performed three maximal CMJs while standing on a force platform. Each participant visited the laboratory on two occasions, separated by 24–48 h. The most reliable variables were performance variables (CV = 4.2–11.1%), followed by kinetic variables (CV = 1.6–93.4%), and finally kinematic variables (CV = 1.9–37.4%). From the 45 CMJ computed metrics, only 24 demonstrated acceptable levels of reliability (CV ≤ 10%). These variables were included in the principal component analysis and loaded a total of four factors, explaining 91% of the CMJ variance: performance component (variables responsible for overall jump performance), eccentric component (variables related to the breaking phase), concentric component (variables related to the upward phase), and jump strategy component (variables influencing the jumping style). Overall, the findings revealed important implications for sports scientists and practitioners regarding the CMJ-derived metrics that should be considered to gain a comprehensive insight into the biomechanical parameters related to CMJ performance.

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The aim of this study was to investigate the resistance-specific gains in muscle power and strength (1RM) following the training of maximum bench-press throws (BPT) against constant, inertial, and combined resistance. Forty-eight male participants (age 20.5 ± 2.0 years) were randomly assigned to the constant, inertial, combined resistance, or control group. Participants underwent 8 weeks of training of BPT against the loads that corresponded to the different effects of mass of 40 kg (∼50% of 1RM). The gains in average and maximum power, and 1RM were significant in all experimental groups (P < 0.01), but not in the control group (P > 0.1). Relative gains in the average (26.3 ± 9.8%) and maximum power (25.2 ± 9.8%) were larger than that in the 1RM (mean 7.2 ± 6.9%; both P < 0.001). The gains in the average (F4, 66 = 6.0; P < 0.01) and maximum power (F4, 66 = 4.7; P < 0.01) were higher when tested against the training-specific resistance than when tested against the remaining two resistance types. Differences in 1RM among experimental groups were not significant (P = 0.092). The most important and rather novel finding of the study is that the training against the weight and inertial resistance, and their combination results in resistance-specific gains in muscle power, although the overall gains muscle strength and power remain comparable across the training protocols.

Traditionally, anxiety has been interpreted as a negative emotional state characterized by nervousness, worry, fret, uncertainty and vague fear which could have an adverse effect on sports achievement. On the other hand, sport type and its specific nature and demands, may also be connected with the level of state and trait anxiety. This study aimed to investigate potential differences in the competitive trait anxiety level and general self-esteem according to gender in sports of different contact level. The sample consisted of 1024 (590 males and 434 females) young athletes. Independent variables were sport contact level (non-contact, contact and collision sports) and gender. Dependent variables were measured by the adjusted versions of Sport Competition Anxiety Test and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Basic descriptive statistics was calculated for all the groups, and the differences between them were established using χ² test and MANOVA. The results suggest significant differences in trait competitive anxiety per sport type, gender and their interaction, and no differences in the general self-esteem level. The current study reveals that not only the intensity but also the intergroup relationship of a sport contact level (non-contact, contact and collision sports) is gender determined. These findings are important in psycho-diagnostic procedure and choosing appropriate coping strategies for athletes.

Background: Alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) is the most common indication for liver transplantation in the United States. Alcohol use disorder (AUD) treatment is recommended in all patients with ALD and AUD, but it remains underutilized., Aims: To identify predictors of AUD treatment and to assess 30-day readmission, return to drinking, and 1-year transplant-free survival., Methods: Retrospective single-center cohort study of consecutive patients hospitalized with ALD and AUD between 2018 and 2020. Patients who died or were lost to follow-up at 90 days after hospitalization were excluded. AUD treatment was defined as receiving medication or participating in residential, outpatient, or support groups within 90 days of discharge., Results: One hundred nine patients were included. Mean age was 51.7 years, and 63% were male. Fifty-six (51%) patients received AUD treatment, and 23 (21%) patients received more than one treatment. Predictors of AUD treatment were younger age (OR, 1.07 [95% CI, 1.04-1.12]; P < 0.001), gastroenterology/hepatology consult (AOR, 8.54 [95% CI, 2.55-39.50]; P = 0.0002), addiction psychiatry consult (AOR, 2.77 [95% CI, 1.16-6.84]; P = 0.02), and a brief AUD intervention (AOR, 18.19 [95% CI, 3.36-339.07]; P = 0.0001). Cirrhosis decompensation, MELD-Na score, and insurance status were not associated with treatment. Thirty-one patients (28.4%) were readmitted, and 29 (26.6%) remained abstinent 30 days from discharge. Patients who received treatment had improved transplant-free survival (HR, 0.44, P = 0.04)., Conclusion: A brief intervention on AUD had the strongest association with receiving AUD treatment in our cohort. Further efforts to incorporate brief interventions when offering AUD treatment to patients with ALD may be beneficial., Competing Interests: The authors report no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024 American Society of Addiction Medicine.)

Several studies published so far used highly selective image datasets from unclear sources to train computer vision models and that may lead to overestimated results, while those studies conducted in real-life remain scarce. To avoid image selection bias, we stacked convolutional and recurrent neural networks (CNN-RNN) to analyze complete optical coherence tomography (OCT) cubes in a row and predict diabetic macular edema (DME), in a real-world diabetic retinopathy screening program. A retrospective cohort study was carried out. Throughout 4-years, 5314 OCT cubes from 4408 subjects who attended to the diabetic retinopathy (DR) screening program were included. We arranged twenty-two (22) pre-trained CNNs in parallel with a bidirectional RNN layer stacked at the bottom, allowing the model to make a prediction for the whole OCT cube. The staff of retina experts built a ground truth of DME later used to train a set of these CNN-RNN models with different configurations. For each trained CNN-RNN model, we performed threshold tuning to find the optimal cut-off point for binary classification of DME. Finally, the best models were selected according to sensitivity, specificity, and area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUROC) with their 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). An ensemble of the best models was also explored. 5188 cubes were non-DME and 126 were DME. Three models achieved an AUROC of 0.94. Among these, sensitivity, and specificity (95%CI) ranged from 84.1-90.5 and 89.7-93.3, respectively, at threshold 1, from 89.7-92.1 and 80-83.1 at threshold 2, and from 80.2-81 and 93.8-97, at threshold 3. The ensemble model improved these results, and lower specificity was observed among subjects with sight-threatening DR. Analysis by age, gender, or grade of DME did not vary the performance of the models. CNN-RNN models showed high diagnostic accuracy for detecting DME in a real-world setting. This engine allowed us to detect extra-foveal DMEs commonly overlooked in other studies, and showed potential for application as the first filter of non-referable patients in an outpatient center within a population-based DR screening program, otherwise ended up in specialized care., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Historically, the Andean people have experienced uncertainty in terms of the availability of food resources because of climatic and ecological variations that are typical of mountainous environments. Risk management strategies, including the diversified and complementary use and management of species and ecosystems at different elevations, have faced such uncertainty. The current effects of climate change on food security motivate studies on subsistence adaptative strategies. TEK offers extraordinary experience and local biocultural memory to meet present and future needs. From an ethnoecological perspective, we aim to identify the variety of local foods in Andean communities, their cultural and nutritional value for local people, their use frequencies, and their forms to obtain them from different environments, productive systems, and interchanges. We expected to identify traditional Andean diversified subsistence patterns despite the pressure of modern food and interchange systems., Methods: This study was conducted in two communities in the highlands of the Department of Huánuco, Peru. We conducted 24 semistructured interviews with households sampled through the snowball method. We asked about their daily life food, plant and animal components of diet, frequencies and seasons in which they are consumed, and ways to obtain them. We complemented the information through ethnobotanical collection of wild, weedy, and ruderal edible plants and records on domestic and wild animals included in the diet., Results: We recorded 37 crop species, 13 domestic animals, 151 wild, weedy, and ruderal food plant species, the 3 most commonly consumed wild animals, and 52 processed products obtained from local stores and markets. The main crops are potato and maize, while the main domestic animals included in the diet are cattle, pigs, and sheep. Rice, pasta, and bread are the main raw and processed foods included in the diet. Crops represent nearly half of the food consumed and purchased (in kg/year), and tubers and cereals provide most of the kilocalories, carbohydrates and proteins. Wild, weedy, and ruderal plants are consumed in relatively low amounts and at relatively low frequencies per species, but overall, they constitute a significant proportion of the kg of annually consumed food (14.4% in Cani and 9.6% in Monte Azul). Knowledge and use of these resources play a key role in local cuisine and nutrition., Conclusion: The current food patterns studied are based on diverse diets, including multiple feedstuffs, sources, and practices to obtain them, which reflects the traditional Andean subsistence pattern. The increasing adoption of processed food has influenced the declining consumption of local food, mainly among young people. Communication and policies to promote local food, emphasizing the role of wild plants and their adequate consumption, and provide information on their nutritional value are recommended to support efforts toward food sovereignty and conservation of Andean biocultural diversity., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Serum phosphatidylethanol (PEth) testing has emerged as a promising biomarker for assessing recent alcohol consumption, surpassing the limitations of self-reported data. Limited clinical data exists comparing PEth levels and patients' reported alcohol intake., Aims: Compare PEth testing results with self-reported alcohol intake and assesses variables associated with underreporting., Methods: Single-center retrospective cohort of patients with a diagnosis of chronic liver disease and serum PEth. A patient's first positive PEth (>/=10 ng/mL) and self-reported alcohol consumption was used. PEth results were categorized as mild (10-20), moderate (20-200), or heavy (>200). Severity measures between self-report and PEth were assessed using Bhapkar's test and Bonferroni-adjusted McNemar's tests. Demographic data was analyzed using Chi-Square tests., Results: 279 patients were included. 94 (33.7%) patients had consistency with self-report, and 185 patients had inconsistencies in their report (66.3%, p < 0.001). Of 279 patients, 161 (57.7%) underreported their alcohol consumption, and 55 (19.7%) heavy PEth patients underreported alcohol consumption as light. 58% of alcohol-related and 56.4% of non-alcohol-related cirrhotic patients underreported their alcohol use., Conclusion: In our cohort, only one third of self-reported alcohol consumption was consistent with the PEth level. Notably, 57.7% underreported alcohol intake. Our study reinforces the clinical importance of PEth testing as an objective clinical measure., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest All authors have no conflicts of interest or sources of financial support to disclose. Please reach out to the corresponding author for any questions or concerns., (Copyright © 2024 Editrice Gastroenterologica Italiana S.r.l. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

In the past few decades the diet preparation in feed production has evolved towards more complicated technological operations, which include different liquid addition. A wide scale of different liquids is used in contemporary animal feed production, from oils and glycerol to more expensive products in a liquid form, such as enzymes, flavourings, amino acids, vitamins and others. In the presented study the liquid addition in feed production was observed, with a specific goal to investigate the spraying systems in order to better understand the effects of fluids, such as soybean oil and glycerol, on feed production. The dispersion angles of spraying nozzle for glycerol and soybean oil were determined as an indicator of the uniform application of liquids during feed production. Dispersion of the material was accomplished using the two-fluid nozzle. The performance of Artificial Neural Network (ANN) was compared with experimental data in order to develop rapid and accurate method for prediction of dispersion angle. The ANN model showed high prediction accuracy (r2 = 0.945). [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. III46012]

Sunflower meal, a by-product of oil extraction from sunflower seeds, is an important protein source in domestic as well as European feed industry. There is a common interest for the proper utilization of sunflower meal and for the development of an effective fractionation process in order to obtain a nutritionally improved sunflower meal. This paper proposes and compares two dry fractionation processes for the improvement of sunflower meal protein content on a laboratory scale. The first phase of both processes included two step milling using a hammer and roller mill. In the second phase, the ground sunflower meal was fractionated by sieving or by air classification. Results indicated that the implementation of any of the suggested processes improved protein content of the starting sunflower meal to a level sufficient to categorize it as "high-protein" according to current national regulation on animal feed quality, with the fraction yields over 50%. For the air classification process the most promising result was achieved for air flow of 7 m3 /h (12.8% relative protein enrichment, 56.42% fraction yield). For the fractionation process with sieving as a separation step, when fractions smaller than 350 µm were conjoined, relative protein enrichment of 28.5% and fraction yield of 51.17% were achieved. The high protein content (48.81% on dry basis) of the joined fraction enables enough space for optimizing the protein content - fraction yield ratio of obtained sunflower meal. By applying sieves with larger aperture, it is possible to obtain higher yields of sunflower meal categorized as high-protein on account of a slight decrease in protein content, which gives this process a certain flexibility and potential for application on a larger scale.

Physical quality traits (1000-kernel weight, density, milling response and soft endosperm portion), basic chemical (starch, protein, oil, cellulose and ash) and amino acids composition of ten ZP maize genotypes differing in kernel hardness and colour were studied. The objectives of this study were to characterize differences in ZP maize genotypes regarding to various physical traits and nutritional quality parameters such as basic chemical and amino acid composition and the data was correlated to find the interrelationship between these parameters. Kernel physical traits and chemical composition significantly varied among tested genotypes. A significant negative correlation was found between protein content and portion of soft endosperm as well as a significant positive correlation between protein content and two physical traits, milling response and density. Protein content showed a non-significant negative correlation with starch content. The results showed that the protein content exhibited negative correlation with lysine as well as positive correlation with methionine. It has not been observed a significant improvement in the amino acid composition regarding the specialty genotypes such as the selected white and red kernels and popping maize genotypes. The information presented in this study could be useful for the utilization improvement of maize kernel and the development of maize-based ingredients to prepare nutritious feed and food products.

Honey consumption is influenced by many factors such as health benefits, product characteristics, or demographic and sociological characteristics. The aim of the research was to identify factors that influence the volume of honey consumption, consumers' purchasing intentions, as well as to define the consumer profile in Romania, Italy, and Serbia. The research was conducted in the period from 2014 to 2016 through a questionnaire. The statistical significance of the difference in the consumption of honey in Serbia (Province of Vojvodina), Italy (the Province of Lombardy, which geographically resembles Vojvodina) and Romania was investigated. For the selection of a representative sample, random selection method was used, and the obtained data were processed using the SPSS program. The strongest motives for honey consumption were the satisfaction related to the taste honey provides and the perception that it is a healthy food. The chi-squared test showed that there was a significant difference among the countries in terms of demographic and economic characteristics of consumers, trends, and tendencies in the consumption of honey and sociological characteristics of consumers.

Purpose: To test whether the force–velocity (F–V) relationship obtained during a specific single-stroke kayak test (SSKT) and during nonspecific traditional resistance-training exercises (bench press and prone bench pull) could discriminate between 200-m specialists and longer-distance (500- and 1000-m) specialists in canoe sprint. Methods: A total of 21 experienced male kayakers (seven 200-m specialists and 14 longer-distance specialists) participated in this study. After a familiarization session, kayakers came to the laboratory on 2 occasions separated by 48 to 96 hours. In a randomized order, kayakers performed the SSKT in one session and the bench press and bench pull tests in another session. Force and velocity outputs were recorded against 5 loads in each exercise to determine the F–V relationship and related parameters (maximum force, maximum velocity, F–V slope, and maximum power). Results: The individual F–V relationships were highly linear for the SSKT (r =.990 [.908,.998]), bench press (r =.993 [.974,.999]), and prone bench pull (r =.998 [.992, 1.000]). The F–V relationship parameters (maximum force, maximum velocity, and maximum power) were significantly higher for 200-m specialists compared with longer-distance specialists (all Ps ≤.047) with large effect sizes (≥0.94) revealing important practical differences. However, no significant differences were observed between 200-m specialists and longer-distance specialists in the F–V slope (P ≥.477). Conclusions: The F–V relationship assessed during both specific (SSKT) and nonspecific upper-body tasks (bench press and bench pull) may distinguish between kayakers specialized in different distances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]