Exploring the interplay between physical activity levels, motor performance and BMI in children and adolescents: insights from the motor abilities observatory in Puglia

Sedentary habits stand out as primary contributors to the decline in physical activity levels and motor performance during childhood. Physical activity (PA) promotes the development of motor abilities, the acquisition of motor competencies, and provides preventative and protective effects against various non communicable diseases. Alarmingly, children and adolescents in Italy are falling short of complying with the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommendations for daily physical activity essential for promoting optimal health. This study aimed to assess and compare the physical activity levels and motor performance of a cohort comprising 313 children (M, age: 9.43 ± 0.79 years; F, age: 9.48 ± 0.60 years) and 313 adolescents (M, age: 11.89 ± 0.90 years; F, age: 11.86 ± 0.84 years). The participants were divided into subgroups based on variations in Body Mass Index (BMI). Utilizing a self-report tool (PAQ_C) and two motor tests, our aim was to evaluate the trends in physical activity and motor capabilities. The findings confirmed a significant decline in physical activity levels from childhood to adolescence, coupled with suboptimal motor performance in overweight and obese students. This article presents the initial outcomes of a regional investigation into the assessment of physical activity levels and motor abilities concerning gender and BMI variations among primary and middle school students in Puglia. The identified reduction in physical activity underscores the urgency for inter-institutional initiatives and multicomponent projects. These initiatives should emphasize the pivotal role of relationships between family, school, and sports in addressing and mitigating the alarming decline in physical activity levels among the youth

High Risk of Secondary Infections Following Thrombotic Complications in Patients With COVID-19

Background. This study’s primary aim was to evaluate the impact of thrombotic complications on the development of secondary infections. The secondary aim was to compare the etiology of secondary infections in patients with and without thrombotic complications. Methods. This was a cohort study (NCT04318366) of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients hospitalized at IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital between February 25 and June 30, 2020. Incidence rates (IRs) were calculated by univariable Poisson regression as the number of cases per 1000 person-days of follow-up (PDFU) with 95% confidence intervals. The cumulative incidence functions of secondary infections according to thrombotic complications were compared with Gray’s method accounting for competing risk of death. A multivariable Fine-Gray model was applied to assess factors associated with risk of secondary infections. Results. Overall, 109/904 patients had 176 secondary infections (IR, 10.0; 95% CI, 8.8–11.5; per 1000-PDFU). The IRs of secondary infections among patients with or without thrombotic complications were 15.0 (95% CI, 10.7–21.0) and 9.3 (95% CI, 7.9–11.0) per 1000-PDFU, respectively (P = .017). At multivariable analysis, thrombotic complications were associated with the development of secondary infections (subdistribution hazard ratio, 1.788; 95% CI, 1.018–3.140; P = .043). The etiology of secondary infections was similar in patients with and without thrombotic complications. Conclusions. In patients with COVID-19, thrombotic complications were associated with a high risk of secondary infections

Uniparental markers of contemporary Italian population reveals details on its pre-Roman heritage.

BACKGROUND: According to archaeological records and historical documentation, Italy has been a melting point for populations of different geographical and ethnic matrices. Although Italy has been a favorite subject for numerous population genetic studies, genetic patterns have never been analyzed comprehensively, including uniparental and autosomal markers throughout the country. METHODS/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: A total of 583 individuals were sampled from across the Italian Peninsula, from ten distant (if homogeneous by language) ethnic communities--and from two linguistic isolates (Ladins, Grecani Salentini). All samples were first typed for the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region and selected coding region SNPs (mtSNPs). This data was pooled for analysis with 3,778 mtDNA control-region profiles collected from the literature. Secondly, a set of Y-chromosome SNPs and STRs were also analyzed in 479 individuals together with a panel of autosomal ancestry informative markers (AIMs) from 441 samples. The resulting genetic record reveals clines of genetic frequencies laid according to the latitude slant along continental Italy--probably generated by demographical events dating back to the Neolithic. The Ladins showed distinctive, if more recent structure. The Neolithic contribution was estimated for the Y-chromosome as 14.5% and for mtDNA as 10.5%. Y-chromosome data showed larger differentiation between North, Center and South than mtDNA. AIMs detected a minor sub-Saharan component; this is however higher than for other European non-Mediterranean populations. The same signal of sub-Saharan heritage was also evident in uniparental markers. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Italy shows patterns of molecular variation mirroring other European countries, although some heterogeneity exists based on different analysis and molecular markers. From North to South, Italy shows clinal patterns that were most likely modulated during Neolithic times

Endogenous (In)Formal Institutions.

Despite the huge evidence documenting the relevance of inclusive political institutions and a culture of cooperation, we still lack a framework that identifies their origins and interaction. In a model in which an elite and a citizenry try to cooperate in consumption risk-sharing and investment, we show that a rise in the investment value encourages the elite to introduce more inclusive political institutions to convince the citizenry that a sufficient part of the returns on joint investments will be shared. In addition, accumulation of culture rises with the severity of consumption risk if this is not too large and thus cheating is not too appealing. Finally, the citizenry may over-accumulate culture to credibly commit to cooperate in investment when its value falls and so inclusive political institutions are at risk. These predictions are consistent with the evolution of activity-specific geographic factors, monasticism, and political institutions in a panel of 90 European regions spanning the 1000-1600 period. Evidence from several identification strategies suggests that the relationships we uncover are causal

Mediating role of physical activity levels on physical fitness in overweight and obese children when Body Mass Index is not a determining factor

Physical fitness is a crucial health indicator in children and adolescents. Despite the global rise in overweight and obesity, the impact of Body Mass Index (BMI) on physical fitness remains unclear. This cross-sectional study aims to investigate: (R1) the differences in physical fitness components and physical activity levels among children according to gender and BMI, and (R2) the mediating role of physical activity in the relationship between BMI and physical fitness components. Material and Methods The sample was made of 180 students aged 11-14 years (n=90 – male; n=90 - female) divided according to BMI cutoff in normal weight, overweight and obese. Physical fitness components were assessed with several tests: Standing Long Jump (SLJ), Medicine Ball Throw 2Kg (MBT), Shuttle Run ; 10x5m (10x5), and One Mile Walk Test. Physical activity levels were evaluated with a self-reported questionnaire. A two-way factorial MANOVA was conducted to assess the effects of gender and BMI on physical fitness. Additionally, a mediation analysis was performed to explore the effect of physical activity on the relationship between BMI and physical fitness. Results Results revealed significant differences in the Standing Long Jump (SLJ), 10x5 Shuttle Run, One Mile Walk Test, and physical activity levels, with moderate to large effect sizes observed. Males demonstrated higher levels of physical fitness and physical activity levels (PAL) compared to females. Individuals of normal weight were generally more active and stronger than their overweight and obese peers. Mediation analysis revealed that physical activity completely mediates the relationship between BMI and physical fitness components. Conclusions Results from the present study suggest that the development of physical fitness is not solely determined by BMI, but also depends on the daily practice of physical activity. Future research is needed to assess the effect of physical activity in mediating and moderating the relationship between obesity and physical fitnes

MOTOR COMPETENCIES ORIENTED PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHER TRAINING. PRELIMINARY RESULTS ON SELF-PERCEPTION OF TEACHING STYLES.

The teaching of motor competencies requires the choice and interaction of different teaching styles, to promote different learning modalities. Aims of the study: a) analyze the teaching styles mainly used by PE teacher in secondary school; b) promote self-perception of teaching styles; c) compare teaching styles. The sample is 83 (F: 42; M: 41) of high school teachers. An online questionnaire was proposed in which the teacher's behavior was presented for each style. The results highlight the prevalent use of reproductions styles over production styles

PHYSICAL LITERACY AND NON-LINEAR PEDAGOGY. HOW CAN TECHNOLOGIES ENHANCE MOTOR LEARNING?

The present paper aims to develop a theoretical model that brings together the opportunities of new technologies and the principles of non-linear pedagogy. This research study allows to identify fundamental principles of “non-linear-technology-based model” and potential outcomes on motor learning, physical literacy and health promotion. Great importance is given to teacher training for evidence-based didactic to provide strong foundation for a critical integration of technology in physical education. 

Integrated chassis control: Classification, analysis and future trends

Integrated Chassis Control (ICC) is one of the most appealing subjects for vehicle dynamics specialists and researchers, due to the increasing number of chassis actuators of modern human-driven and automated cars. ICC ensures that the potential of the available actuators is systematically exploited, by overcoming the individual limitations, and solving conflicts and redundancies, which results into enhanced vehicle performance, ride comfort and safety. This paper is a literature review on ICC, and focuses on the topics that are left uncovered by the most recent surveys on the subject, or that are dealt with only by old surveys, namely: a) the systematic categorisation of the available ICC architectures, with the critical analysis of their strengths and weaknesses; b) the latest ICC approaches, which are becoming feasible with modern automotive microcontrollers; c) the driving performance requirements; and d) the procedures to objectively evaluate ICC performance. The manuscript aids the interested reader in the choice of the most appropriate ICC method for the specific requirements, and concludes with the recent developments and future trends

Enhancement of surface electrical current on silicon via nanodiamond particles deposited by pulsed spray technique

The deposition of as-received nanodiamond (ND) particles on silicon substrate was performed by the pulsed spray technique, using a dispersion of 250 nm ND in 1, 2-dichloroethane. A set of samples was sprayed by varying the number of pulses from 1 to 500. The morphology of the samples was characterized and monitored by means of optical, atomic force, and confocal microscopies. At a low number of pulses, sparse diamond particles were observed, whereas at a high number of pulses dense/quasi-continuous ND layers were formed. The electrical conductivity measurements of surface silicon substrate evidenced a remarkable change for the presence of ND particles. This behavior is also found by theoretical simulations (finite element method). Finally, a comparison between the electrical resistances measured on these samples versus the pulse number and the inverse current density calculated as a function of the number of ND particles, showed a good agreement. The experimental results highlighted an increase of the electrical current by using a number of pulses <100, whereas the simulation results proved the enhancement of current density and itssurface rectification by employing a specific number of particles. The current increased by increasing the temperature and during the heating–cooling cycles hysteresis was observed

Serum Neurofilament Light Chain and Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein as Potential Diagnostic Biomarkers in Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Preliminary Study

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is one of the most common neurodevelopment disorders, characterized by a multifactorial etiology based on the interaction of genetic and environmental factors. Recent evidence supports the neurobiological hypothesis based on neuroinflammation theory. To date, there are no sufficiently validated diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for ASD. Therefore, we decided to investigate the potential diagnostic role for ASD of two biomarkers well known for other neurological inflammatory conditions: the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and the neurofilament (Nfl). Nfl and GFAP serum levels were analyzed using SiMoA technology in a group of ASD patients and in a healthy control group (CTRS), age- and gender-matched. Then we investigated the distribution, frequency, and correlation between serum Nfl and GFAP levels and clinical data among the ASD group. The comparison of Nfl and GFAP serum levels between ASD children and the control group showed a mean value of these two markers significantly higher in the ASD group (sNfL mean value ASD pt 6.86 pg/mL median value ASD pt 5.7 pg/mL; mean value CTRS 3.55 pg/mL; median value CTRS 3.1 pg; GFAP mean value ASD pt 205.7 pg/mL median value ASD pt 155.4 pg/mL; mean value CTRS 77.12 pg/mL; median value CTRS 63.94 pg/mL). Interestingly, we also found a statistically significant positive correlation between GFAP levels and hyperactivity symptoms (p-value &lt;0.001). Further investigations using larger groups are necessary to confirm our data and to verify in more depth the potential correlation between these biomarkers and ASD clinical features, such as the severity of the core symptoms, the presence of associated symptoms, and/or the evaluation of a therapeutic intervention. However, these data not only might shed a light on the neurobiology of ASD, supporting the neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration hypothesis, but they also might support the use of these biomarkers in the early diagnosis of ASD, to longitudinally monitor the disease activity, and even more as future prognostic biomarkers