Integration of Obese Children in Physical Education Sessions: An Exploratory Study

We investigated the effect of the role of the joker in children with obesity (OCs) on integration and physio-psychological responses during small-sided games (SSG) training programs. Sixteen OC students (age 13.8 ± 0.73 years) performed training programs consisting of two sessions a week for three weeks. The experimental protocol consisted of 16 teams of 4 children (3 of normal weight and 1 OC). The 16 teams were divided into 2 groups, one with an OC playing as the joker (SSG-J) and the other group with OC playing as non-joker (SSG-NJ). Maximum heart rates (HRmax), blood lactate concentration [La] and OMNI-Child perceived exertion were measured at the end of each SSG. A physical activity enjoyment Scale (PACES) was accomplished during physical activity for the evaluation of feelings in OCs. Additionally, the profile of mood states (POMS) was measured before and after the SSG-J and SSG-NJ programs. HRmax, [La], perceived exertion, and PACES scores were significantly higher after the SSG-J compared with SSG-NJ (increments of 6.4%, 31.7%, 19.5% and 18.1%, respectively). The score of the POMS variables was positively increased in the presence of jokers. The vigor score increased by 30%, while tension and total mood disturbance scores decreased by 27.6% and 4.5%, respectively. These findings suggest that the joker role could be effective in improving integration, physical enjoyment, physiological responses and mood states in OCs when a team game is used during PE sessions. PE teachers could then program joker exercises with the aim of improving OCs’ physical commitment illingness to play

Effects of ramadan intermittent fasting on sports performance and training: A review

The month-long diurnal Ramadan fast imposes a major challenge to Islamic athletes. Sporting events are programmed throughout the year, with the result that training and competition are often scheduled during Ramadan. The small numbers of well-controlled studies that have examined the effects of Ramadan on athletic performance suggest that few aspects of physical fitness are negatively affected, and only modest decrements are observed. Whereas subjective feelings of fatigue and other mood indicators are often cited as implying additional stress on the athlete throughout Ramadan, most studies show these measures may not be reflected in decreases in performance. The development and early implementation of sensible eating and sleeping strategies can greatly alleviate the disruptions to training and competitiveness, thus allowing the athlete to perform at a high level while undertaking the religious intermittent fast. Nevertheless, further research is required to understand the mechanisms and energy pathways that allow athletes to maintain their performance capacities during Ramadan, and which factors are responsible for the observed decrements in performance of some individuals. © Human Kinetics, Inc

A new numerical algorithm for a drift-diffusion system

Electrical potentials and free boundary separating the depletion and neutrality regions in a junction field transistor can be computed using a drift-diffusion model for a MESFET. This paper presents a new numerical algorithm of this model using a fixed point method. Numerical results are encouraging and provides a reasonably free boundary.Electrical potentials and free boundary separating the depletion and neutrality regions in a junction field transistor can be computed using a drift-diffusion model for a MESFET. This paper presents a new numerical algorithm of this model using a fixed point method. Numerical results are encouraging and provides a reasonably free boundary

La preferencia ecológico versus convencional en los productos lácteos: el caso del queso

Las nuevas exigencias de los consumidores hacia todo lo relacionado con la calidad y la seguridad de los productos agroalimentarios están provocando un cambio progresivo en los hábitos de compra y de consumo de dichos productos. Concretamente, en el sector lácteo los consumidores buscan cada vez más productos de mayor calidad, más sanos, naturales, ecológicos, artesanales, locales etc., y en definitiva, más saludables y respetuosos con el medioambiente. Las nuevas tendencias del consumo alimentario hacia estos nuevos productos están provocando una continua adaptación de las empresas productoras para satisfacer estas demandas y, por consiguiente, poder competir en el mercado. Dentro del sector lácteo, los productos lácteos artesanales (PLA) y sobre todo los derivados de la ganadería de pequeños rumiantes, forman parte del patrimonio de productos agroalimentarios de las regiones más desfavorecidas en muchos países de la región mediterránea. Dichos productos constituyen un recurso endógeno con un claro potencial de desarrollo, no siempre bien aprovechado y revalorizado, particularmente, en España. Varias razones tanto relacionadas con la demanda y los mercados, como con la potencialidad productiva primaria y, sobre todo, secundaria avalan dicho potencial. Analizando dicho sector, uno de los productos con un alto potencial de desarrollo es el queso artesanal. En este sentido, debido a la creciente importancia de la producción ecológica en la dieta alimentaria y la orientación progresiva de los consumidores hacia dichos productos, entre las oportunidades comerciales que se presentan para el queso, es la diferenciación hacia la calidad ecológica. No obstante, como dicha diferenciación no parece resultar suficiente para incrementar el consumo, parece de gran interés analizar la estructura de preferencias de los consumidores en relación con unos atributos del queso, y estimar la importancia relativa del atributo modo de producción (ecológica vs convencional) frente a otras características del mismo tal como el tipo de leche, el proceso de elaboración (industrial, de pequeñas industrias o artesanal) y el precio. Asimismo, se han intentado estimar los precios implícitos de las variaciones en los niveles de los diferentes atributos, básicamente, la disposición a pagar de los consumidores por la calidad ecológica frente al convencional. La información manejada en este trabajo proviene de una encuesta realizada a 263 consumidores de queso en Andalucía. El cuestionario tiene dos grandes bloques. En el primero se incluye un test de preferencias de los entrevistados hacia unos perfiles de quesos. En el segundo se recogen las características sociodemográficas y de estilo de vida de los encuestados.Instituto de Investigación y Formación Agraria IFAPA Centro Camino de Purchil, Granada. Área de Economía y Sociología Agrarias

The use of an economical medium for the production of alkaline serine proteases by Bacillus licheniformis NH1

The present study is concerned with the selection of new economical media based on agricultural and marine-processing by-products for the production of alkaline proteases by Bacillus licheniformis NH1. Powders from different fish species were prepared and then tested as growth media at a concentration of 10 g/l for proteases production by NH1 strain. Powder prepared from whole Sardinelle was found to be the best substrate for the production of the alkaline protease. The NH1 strain exhibited a slightlygreater protease production (2927 U/ml) in medium containing only whole Sardinelle powder than that obtained in control medium (2800 U/ml). Proteases were produced even when strain NH1 was cultivated in medium containing only powder prepared from combined heads and viscera Sardinelle (CHVSP), about 2117 U/ml. Protease production was also carried out in media containing hulled grain of wheat, a by-product of semolina factories, as carbon source. Maximum activity (2517 U/ml) was achieved when the strain was grown in medium containing hulled grain of wheat (10 g/l), casein peptone (2 g/l), K2HPO4 (0.5 g/l) and KH2PO4 (0.5 g/l). Moreover, protease production was considerably enhanced when thestrain was grown in medium containing both hulled grain of wheat and CHVSP as carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively, (4771 U/ml). The study shows that hulled grain of wheat and powders from fishery by-products could be utilized as bacterial substrates for the production of alkaline proteases by B. licheniformis NH1

The effects of cognitive behavioral therapy on selected physical, physiological parameters, exercise and nutritional behaviors in diabetic persons

OBJECTIVE Due to the high prevalence of diabetes in the world, it seems that one of the most important strategies to prevent and treat this disease are lifestyle changes. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of cognitive behavioral therapy on selected physical and psychological parameters, exercise, and nutritional behaviors in diabetic patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS This was a cross-sectional study of volunteers with type 2 diabetes. Patients were randomized into two groups: an intervention (n=32) and a control group (n=31). The Beck Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to assess physical activity in combination with the Beck Depression Inventory and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index to assess the levels of depression and the quality of sleep. Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) training consisted of six sessions of cognitive behavioral therapy interventions. The intervention consisted of a face-to-face individual counseling session. The patients received a special diet according to their basal metabolic rate (BMR). At all sessions, dietary advice was reviewed, and during the treatment period, they were asked to record their diet and physical activity. Body composition and blood samples were measured before and after three months of the experiment for both groups. RESULTS Blood glucose, blood lipid profiles (except high-density lipoprotein), lifestyle, behavior patterns and body composition were significantly improved following CBT intervention (p≤0.05). CONCLUSIONS CBT can play a key role in improving physiological and psychological parameters in diabetic patients

Alloys innovation through machine learning: a statistical literature review

Statement of novelty: Through statistical analysis of 200+ papers, this research identifies trends, patterns and gaps to highlight areas for further exploration in using machine learning for alloy development.This review systematically analyzes over 200 publications to explore the growing role of data-driven methods and their potential benefits in accelerating alloy development. The review presents a comprehensive overview of different aspects of alloy innovation by machine learning and other computational approaches used in recent years. These methods harness the power of advanced simulation techniques and data analytics to expedite materials’ discovery, predict properties, and optimize performance. Through analysis, significant trends and disparities within the data discerned, while highlighting previously overlooked research gaps, thus underscoring areas that require further exploration. Machine Learning techniques are widely applied across various alloys, with a pronounced emphasis on steel and High Entropy Alloys. Notably, researchers primarily investigate the physical, mechanical, and catalytic properties of materials. In terms of methodology, while 68% of the examined papers rely on a single machine learning model, the remainder employ a range of 2 to 12 models, with Neural Network being the most prevalent choice. However, a notable concern arises as 53% of these papers do not share their dataset, and a staggering 81% do not provide access to their code. Paramount importance of adopting a systematic approach when scrutinizing machine learning methodologies is underscored. Analysis shows lack of consistency and diversity in the methods employed by researchers in the field of alloy development, highlighting the potential for improvement through standardization. The critical analysis of the literature not only reveals prevailing trends and patterns but also shines a light on the inherent limitations within the traditional trial-and-error paradigm