Dynamics of executive functions, basic psychological needs, impulsivity, and depressive symptoms in american football players

Executive functions play an important role in sports since the ability to plan, organize, and regulate behavior to reach an objective or goal depends on these functions. Some of the components of executive functions, such as inhibition of impulsive behavior and cognitive flexibility, are necessary for contact sports (e.g., American football) to carry out successful plays on the sports field. Executive functions have been studied in the sporting environment, but their relationship with the athletes' basic psychological needs (BPN), such as autonomy, competence, and relatedness, remains unexplored. Due to the importance of motivational processes over cognitive functions and in the generated adaptive results in athletes, this relationship should be taken into account. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze and compare executive functioning and psychological need thwarting overimpulsivity and psychological distress, before and after the season (4 months) in 28 undergraduate football players. Neuropsychological and psychological tests were applied. The results showed that there was an improvement in inhibition and planning at the end of the season. There was also an increase in attention and motor impulsiveness, and a decrease in need thwarting at the end of the season. A positive association between executive function, impulsiveness, psychological needs, and affective symptoms were also found. Our findings reveal the dynamics of sport-related psychological variables throughout the sport season in American football players, the association of these for the achievement of sport success, and the importance of encouraging proper management of emotions

Confinement Effects in Antiferromagnets

Phase equilibrium in confined Ising antiferromagnets was studied as a function of the coupling (v) and a magnetic field (h) at the surfaces, in the presence of an external field H. The ground state properties were calculated exactly for symmetric boundary conditions and nearest-neighbor interactions, and a full zero-temperature phase diagram in the plane v-h was obtained for films with symmetry-preserving surface orientations. The ground-state analysis was extended to the H-T plane using a cluster-variation free energy. The study of the finite-T properties (as a function of v and h) reveals the close interdependence between the surface and finite-size effects and, together with the ground-state phase diagram, provides an integral picture of the confinement in anisotropic antiferromagnets with surfaces that preserve the symmetry of the order parameter.Comment: 10 pages, 8 figures, Accepted in Phys. Rev.

Gene editing restores dystrophin expression in a canine model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Mutations in the gene encoding dystrophin, a protein that maintains muscle integrity and function, cause Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). The deltaE50-MD dog model of DMD harbors a mutation corresponding to a mutational “hotspot” in the human DMD gene. We used adeno-associated viruses to deliver CRISPR gene editing components to four dogs and examined dystrophin protein expression 6 weeks after intramuscular delivery (n = 2) or 8 weeks after systemic delivery (n = 2). After systemic delivery in skeletal muscle, dystrophin was restored to levels ranging from 3 to 90% of normal, depending on muscle type. In cardiac muscle, dystrophin levels in the dog receiving the highest dose reached 92% of normal. The treated dogs also showed improved muscle histology. These large-animal data support the concept that, with further development, gene editing approaches may prove clinically useful for the treatment of DMD

The Mechanism of Flexible Controlling as an Innovative Method in Management of Corporate Structures

У статті представлений принцип дії механізму гнучкого контролінгу як інноваційного методу управління корпоративними структурами. Розглянуто принципи застосування даного методу як інструменту ефективного управління корпоративними структурами, що дозволяють забезпечити різноманітність і гнучкість процесів управління для досягнення поставлених цілей. Розглянуто особливості контролінгу в управлінні корпоративними структурами в умовах нестабільного економічного середовища. Подано концепцію механізму контролінгу в управлінні корпоративними структурами, яка дозволяє забезпечити необхідну різноманітність процесів управління для досягнення динамічного комплексу цілей. Розглянуто особливості функціонування корпоративних структур у нестабільному ринковому оточенні. На прикладі механізму гнучкого контролінгу як способу адаптації до реалій сформованої нестабільності в економіці України представлена його здатність оперативно і тонко спрямовувати управління корпоративними структурами для прийняття правильних рішень та погодження роботи всіх підсистем підприємства.В статье представлен принцип действия механизма гибкого контроллинга как инновационного метода управления корпоративными структурами. Рассмотрены принципы применения данного метода как инструмента эффективного управления корпоративными структурами, позволяющие обеспечить разнообразие и гибкость процессов управления для достижения поставленных целей. Рассмотрены особенности контроллинга в управлении корпоративными структурами в условиях нестабильной экономической среды. Представлена концепция механизма контроллинга в управлении корпоративными структурами, которая позволяет обеспечить необходимое разнообразие процессов управления для достижения динамического комплекса целей. Рассмотрены особенности функционирования корпоративных структур в нестабильном рыночном окружении. На примере механизма гибкого контроллинга как способа адаптации к реалиям сложившейся нестабильности в экономике Украины представлена его способность оперативно и тонко направлять управление корпоративными структурами для принятия правильных решений и согласования работы всех подсистем предприятия.This article presents the principle of the mechanism controlling the flexible as an innovative method of managing corporate structures. The principles of this method as a tool for the effective management of corporate structures, allowing for variety and flexibility of management processes to achieve their goals. Features of controlling in management of corporate structures in the conditions of the unstable economic environment are considered. The concept of the mechanism of controlling in management of corporate structures which allows to provide a necessary variety of management processes for achievement of a dynamic complex of the purposes is presented. Features of functioning of corporate structures in an unstable market environment are considered. On the example of controlling a flexible mechanism as a way of adapting to the realities of the current instability in the economy of Ukraine, represented by its ability to quickly and subtly direct the management of the corporate structure to make the right decisions and coordination of all sub-systems of the enterprise

Woolliness assessment in peaches (Cv. Springcrest) by sensory and instrumental means.

Mealiness is a negative attribute of sensory texture, characterised by the lack of juiciness without variation of total water content in the tissues. In peaches, mealiness is also known as "woolliness" and "leatheriness". This internal disorder is characterised by the lack of juiciness and flavour. In peaches, it is associated with interna browning near the stone and the incapacity of ripening although there is externa ripe appearance. Woolliness is associated with inadequate cold storage and is considered as a physiological disorder that appears in stone fruits when an unbalanced pectolitic enzyme activity during storage occurs (Kailasapathy and Melton, 1992). Many attempts have been carried out to identify and measure mealiness and woolliness in fruits. The texture of a food product is composed by a wide spectrum of sensory attributes. Consumer defines the texture integrating simultaneously all the sensory attributes. However, an instrument assesses one or several parameters related to a fraction of the texture spectrum (Kramer, 1973). The complexity of sensory analysis by means of trained panels to assess the quality of some producing processes, supports the attempt to estimate texture characteristics by instrumental means. Some studies have been carried out comparing sensory and instrumental methods to assess mealiness and woolliness. The current study is centered on analysis and evaluation of woolliness in peaches and is part of the European project FAIR CT95 0302 "Mealiness in fruits: consumer perception and means for detection". The main objective of this study was to develop procedures to detect woolly peaches by sensory and by instrumental means, as well as to compare both measuring procedures

Serum levels and removal by haemodialysis and haemodiafiltration of tryptophan-derived uremic toxins in ESKD patients

Tryptophan is an essential dietary amino acid that originates uremic toxins that contribute to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) patient outcomes. We evaluated serum levels and removal during haemodialysis and haemodiafiltration of tryptophan and tryptophan-derived uremic toxins, indoxyl sulfate (IS) and indole acetic acid (IAA), in ESKD patients in different dialysis treatment settings. This prospective multicentre study in four European dialysis centres enrolled 78 patients with ESKD. Blood and spent dialysate samples obtained during dialysis were analysed with high-performance liquid chromatography to assess uremic solutes, their reduction ratio (RR) and total removed solute (TRS). Mean free serum tryptophan and IS concentrations increased, and concentration of IAA decreased over pre-dialysis levels (67%, 49%, -0.8%, respectively) during the first hour of dialysis. While mean serum total urea, IS and IAA concentrations decreased during dialysis (-72%, -39%, -43%, respectively), serum tryptophan levels increased, resulting in negative RR (-8%) towards the end of the dialysis session (p < 0.001), despite remarkable Trp losses in dialysate. RR and TRS values based on serum (total, free) and dialysate solute concentrations were lower for conventional low-flux dialysis (p < 0.001). High-efficiency haemodiafiltration resulted in 80% higher Trp losses than conventional low-flux dialysis, despite similar neutral Trp RR values. In conclusion, serum Trp concentrations and RR behave differently from uremic solutes IS, IAA and urea and Trp RR did not reflect dialysis Trp losses. Conventional low-flux dialysis may not adequately clear Trp-related uremic toxins while high efficiency haemodiafiltration increased Trp losses

Annual changes in the Biodiversity Intactness Index in tropical and subtropical forest biomes, 2001–2012

Few biodiversity indicators are available that reflect the state of broad-sense biodiversity—rather than of particular taxa—at fine spatial and temporal resolution. One such indicator, the Biodiversity Intactness Index (BII), estimates how the average abundance of the native terrestrial species in a region compares with their abundances in the absence of pronounced human impacts. We produced annual maps of modelled BII at 30-arc-second resolution (roughly 1 km at the equator) across tropical and subtropical forested biomes, by combining annual data on land use, human population density and road networks, and statistical models of how these variables affect overall abundance and compositional similarity of plants, fungi, invertebrates and vertebrates. Across tropical and subtropical biomes, BII fell by an average of 1.9 percentage points between 2001 and 2012, with 81 countries seeing an average reduction and 43 an average increase; the extent of primary forest fell by 3.9% over the same period. We did not find strong relationships between changes in BII and countries’ rates of economic growth over the same period; however, limitations in mapping BII in plantation forests may hinder our ability to identify these relationships. This is the first time temporal change in BII has been estimated across such a large region

Evaluation of bread quality and volatile compounds of breads made by sourdoughs fermented by sediments of pulque (xaxtle) as starter culture

Sourdough is an important modern fermentation method of cereal flour and water. The fermentation process is carried out by lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and yeasts which confer specific flavor characteristics to the bread. The main aim of this research was to investigate the bread quality and volatile compounds of breads made by sourdoughs inoculated with sediments of pulque (xaxtle) used it as starter culture. Fifty five volatile compounds were found in the bread made with sourdoughs inoculated with xaxtle from three different regions of Mexico. Using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, compounds as 3-hydroxy-2-butanone; 3-methyl-1-butanol; 2-methyl, 1-butanol; dimethyl disulfide; furfural, nonanal, phenyl ethyl alcohol and butanoic acid were presented in the flavor profile of the breads and having a positive response to sensory analysis made by evaluators. The xaxtle of Nanacamilpa (XN) and the xaxtle of Villa Alta (XV) were the best breads getting 8.3±0.03, 8.8±0.02, 6.2±0.08 and 8.2±0.01 scores in a scale from 0 to 10 in color, smell, texture and flavor attributes respectively which are positive attributes in favor of the quality bread. As a result of fermentation sourdough with LAB and yeasts from the xaxtle during 24 hours (30° C), the bread made with the sourdough inoculated with xaxtle of Milpa Alta (XM) showed the major acid flavor therefore its sample was less acceptable getting 8.1±0.01, 7.8±0.02, 5.3±0.01 and 7.9±0.01 in the same attributes evaluated. The xaxtle of Nanacamilpa, Tlaxcala (XN) run better than the others as starter fermentation culture for sourdoughs

Relationship between Determinants of Health, Equity, and Dimensions of Health Literacy in Patients with Cardiovascular Disease

Background: Health literacy (HL) has been linked to empowerment, use of health services, and equity. Evaluating HL in people with cardiovascular health problems would facilitate the development of suitable health strategies care and reduce inequity. Aim: To investigate the relationship between different dimensions that make up HL and social determinants in patients with cardiovascular disease. Methods: Observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study in patients with cardiovascular disease, aged 50-85 years, accessing primary care services in Valencia (Spain) in 2018-2019. The Health Literacy Questionnaire was used. Results: 252 patients. Age was significantly related with the ability to participate with healthcare providers (p = 0.043), ability to find information (p = 0.022), and understanding information correctly to know what to do (p = 0.046). Level of education was significant for all HL dimensions. Patients without studies scored lower in all dimensions. The low- versus middle-class social relationship showed significant results in all dimensions. Conclusions: In patients with cardiovascular disease, level of education and social class were social determinants associated with HL scores. Whilst interventions at individual level might address some HL deficits, inequities in access to cardiovascular care and health outcomes would remain unjustly balanced unless structural determinants of HL are taken into account