Aspects Of Performance Research Articles

Development of a Residual Biomass Supply Chain Simulation Model Using AnyLogistix: A Methodical Approach

Background: In the pursuit of sustainable energy sources, residual biomass has emerged as a promising renewable resource. However, efficiently managing residual biomass poses significant challenges, particularly in optimizing supply chain operations. Advanced modeling approaches are necessary to address these complexities. This study aims to develop a comprehensive methodological framework for creating simulation models tailored to agroforestry residual biomass supply chains. Methods: The study employs a hybrid simulation approach, integrating geographic information system mapping with a case study analysis. The simulation was conducted over a 365-day period, using the anyLogistix software (version 2.15.3.202209061204) to model various supply chain dynamics. The framework also accounts for financial, operational, customer satisfaction, and environmental metrics. Results: The simulation results showed a total expenditure of EUR 5,219,411.3, with transportation being the primary cost driver, involving 5678 trips and a peak capacity of 67.16 m3. CO2 emissions were measured at 487.7 kg/m3. The model performed as expected, highlighting the need for sustainable logistics strategies to reduce costs, lower losses, and improve productivity. Conclusions: This study presents one of the first detailed methodological frameworks for simulating agroforestry residual biomass supply chains. It provides valuable managerial insights into the financial, operational, and environmental aspects of supply chain management. The findings may stakeholders make informed decisions to enhance the sustainability of biomass utilization in energy production.

Neuropsychophysiological Aspects of Soccer Performance: A Bibliometric Analysis and Narrative Review.

In recent years, there has been growing scientific interest in the neuropsychophysiological aspects of soccer performance. The purpose of this study was to conduct a bibliometric analysis to identify and review key topics within the neuropsychophysiological dimensions of soccer performance and identify any research voids that warrant further attention. We retrieved 192 documents from the Scopus database and anayzed the extracted data using VOSviewer software to conduct a bibliometric analysis. We applied both performance analysis techniques (including the number of documents per year, top 20 authors by citations, and top 15 sources by documents) and science mapping analysis (co-authorship, bibliographic coupling, co-citation, and co-occurrence). The co-occurrence analysis identified three main clusters of research themes. The first cluster focused on the relationship between physical performance and cognitive factors, the second on technical-tactical performance, and the third on health and well-being. Our findings emphasize the significant role of neuropsychophysiological factors in all aspects of soccer performance. We highlight the importance of integrating cognitive and physical training to enhance player performance and underscore the need for further research to deepen our understanding of these relationships.

Design Business Offline and Online Based on Website of Pikyeum SME in Bandung

Pikyeum SME created a new business idea to connect sellers and consumers, introduce products,and place online purchases. By creating a website, Pikyeum SME makes it easy for consumersthroughout Indonesia to find Peuyeum chips. This case study was conducted in Pikyeum SME,located in Lot Leuwidulang No. C 02, Sub-district Pameungpeuk, Bandung, Indonesia. Datacollection and analysis were conducted qualitatively and quantitatively. The purpose of thisresearch is to measure the demand, design technical and operational aspects, design a websitebased application, measure the product's financial feasibility, and measure the sensitivity level ofPikyeum food products offline and online sales. Survey data were analyzed using corrected itemtotal correlation as a validity testing technique and Cronbach's Alpha as a reliability testingtechnique with the aid of the SPSS program. Based on this research, Net Present Value (NPV) isIDR 167.006.461, Interest Rate of Return (IRR) at 36,70%, and Payback Period at 3,4 years. It canbe concluded that Pikyeum SME is feasible to run because NPV > 0, payback period < asseteconomic life, and IRR > MARR. The increase of raw materials and packaging costs shouldn’t bemore than 36,76%. Meanwhile, the increase of labor cost shouldn’t be more than 23,51%. Thedemand decreases shouldn’t be more than 15,63% and selling prices shouldn’t exceed 11,34%.

The Impact of Administrative Decisions on Commercial Freedom in Saudi Arabia: A Legal Study

This legal study examines the impact of administrative decisions on commercial freedom in Saudi Arabia, exploring the intricate relationship between regulatory frameworks and business operations. The research analyzes the historical context of commercial freedom in the kingdom, tracing its evolution from traditional practices to the current legal landscape. It delves into the constitutional provisions and relevant legislation that shape administrative decision-making processes affecting commercial activities. Through case studies, the study illustrates practical implications of administrative decisions on various aspects of business operations, including visa regulations, residence permits, zoning laws, and regulatory compliance. The research identifies key challenges to commercial freedom, such as regulatory barriers and administrative obstacles, while also highlighting opportunities for enhancement, including improved transparency and modernized regulations. The study emphasizes the crucial roles of key stakeholders - government, private enterprises, and civil society organizations - in shaping commercial freedom. It proposes recommendations for reform, focusing on legislative changes, institutional improvements, and fostering an entrepreneurial culture. While acknowledging Saudi Arabia's progress in developing its commercial legislation and regulatory system, the research identifies areas for improvement. It concludes that the kingdom's efforts to balance regulatory oversight with business needs, coupled with its economic diversification goals, suggest a positive trajectory for commercial freedom. However, success depends on continued reform, stakeholder engagement, and adaptation to global economic trends while respecting local cultural and religious values. This study provides valuable insights for policymakers, business leaders, and researchers interested in understanding and enhancing commercial freedom in Saudi Arabia.

Development of a pharmacy-based HIV PrEP service delivery intervention for Washington, District of Columbia (DC): A study protocol.

Pharmacy-based PrEP service delivery models can help address many of the barriers that inhibit the uptake of PrEP. In an increasing number of states, legislation has been passed, or is under consideration, to allow pharmacists to initiate PrEP without a prescription from a physician or other prescriber. However, there is not yet legislation in Washington, DC to allow pharmacy-based PrEP despite its potential to curb new cases of HIV, which disproportionately affect the Black community in the area. The DC Ends HIV Plan has a goal of less than 130 new cases of HIV per year by 2030, which would require that over 13,000 high-risk residents use PrEP. However, in 2021 only 6,724 Washingtonians were taking PrEP. This study seeks to address the absence of critical formative research into the factors that would influence the implementation of pharmacy-based PrEP in Washington DC using the Implementation Mapping (IM) framework. A needs assessment will be conducted through in-depth interviews (IDIs) with pharmacists (n = 6), PrEP providers (n = 6), current PrEP users (n = 6), DC Department of Health officials (n = 2), DC Board of Pharmacy officials (n = 4) and pharmacy-based PrEP experts (n = 4) to provide input on the operational aspects of pharmacy-based PrEP model as a strategy to increase PrEP uptake. Information gathered through this needs assessment will be used to develop standard operating procedures for the introduction of pilot pharmacy-based PrEP into community-based retail pharmacies.

The double-edged sword of transparency: ESG disclosure's effect on competitive dynamics in manufacturing

This study explores the role and impact of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) information on investor decision-making, focusing on the lack of standardized ESG reporting among companies. Although ESG disclosures can enhance a company’s legitimacy and attract investor interest, the voluntary nature of reporting has led to inconsistent practices and limited information quality. The research aims to develop a standardized ESG reporting model that meets investor needs while assessing the effects of ESG performance on corporate outcomes. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study combines qualitative research to formulate an ESG reporting model and quantitative methods to evaluate its impact on company performance. Data were collected from 167 manufacturing companies in Indonesia, selected based on their consistent publication of sustainability reports over four consecutive years. The findings reveal that ESG shows consistent high significance across all three models (Sig = 0.000 for Model-1, Model-2, and Model-3 regression). This uniform high significance underscores the growing importance of ESG factors in various aspects of corporate performance and perception. It suggests that ESG considerations are integral not only to stock returns and firm valuation but also to a company's competitive positioning. The study concludes that while ESG reporting is essential for corporate transparency, it may not always align with positive financial outcomes. This suggests the need for more comprehensive ESG frameworks to balance investor expectations and corporate performance.

The Role of Leverage in Moderating ESG Disclosure and Financial Slack on the Company's Financial Performance

The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of ESG Disclosure and financial slack on the Company's financial performance by using leverage as a moderating variable. The emergence of issues related to the environment, social, and governance of company operations in Indonesia raises concern and responsibility to the community in the form of sustainability reporting. ESG disclosure provides a more complete picture of the sustainability aspects of company performance that supports regulatory reporting in Indonesia which provides an overview of how the company performs financially in a certain period. This research uses a quantitative approach with an explanatory method. The sample of this study is a mining company listed on the IDX for the period 2020-2022. The sampling method used was purposive sampling, with a total sample size of 50 companies and a total observation data of 150. Data analysis using moderated regression analysis (MRA). The results showed that the financial slack variable had a significant effect on the company's financial performance and leverage was able to negatively moderate the influence of the financial slack variable on the company's financial performance. In contrast, ESG disclosure had no significant effect on the company's financial performance and leverage was unable to moderate the influence of the ESG disclosure variable on the company's financial performance.

Genetics, age, and diet influence gut bacterial communities and performance of black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens)

BackgroundThe gut microbiota of black soldier fly larvae (BSFL, Hermetia illucens) play a crucial role in recycling various organic waste streams. This capability is linked to the presence of a potential common core microbiota in BSFL. However, subjective thresholds for defining core taxa and the difficulty of separating genetic and environmental influences have prevented a clear consensus in the literature. We analysed the gut bacterial communities of two genetically distinct BSF lines (wild type (WT) and lab-adapted line (LD)) raised on ten different diets based on common agricultural by-products and food waste in Southeast Asia.ResultsHigh-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that gut bacterial communities were significantly influenced by genetics (p = 0.001), diet (plant/meat-dominated; p = 0.001), larval age (p = 0.001), and the interactions between all three (p = 0.002). This led us to investigate both common core taxa and lineage-specific core taxa. At a strict > 97% prevalence threshold, four core taxa were identified: Providencia_A_732258, an unclassified genus within the family Enterococcaceae, Morganella, and Enterococcus_H_360604. A relaxed threshold (> 80% prevalence) extended the core to include other potential common core taxa such as Klebsiella, Proteus, and Scrofimicrobium. Our data suggest that Proteus, Scrofimicrobium, Corynebacterium, Vagococcus_B, Lysinibacillus_304693 (all LD), and Paenibacillus_J_366884 (WT) are lineage-specific rather than members of a common core (> 90% prevalence in either LD or WT, with prevalence significantly different between lines (p ≤ 0.05)). Positive correlations were observed between several core genera and larval performance in LD, typical of a highly optimized lab-adapted line. Interestingly, only members of the genus Providencia appeared to play a crucial role in most aspects of larval performance in both genetic lineages.ConclusionOur study demonstrates that the gut microbiota of BSFL is influenced by genetic factors, diet composition, larval age, and their interactions. We identified a distinct lineage-specific core microbiota, emphasizing genetic background’s role. Future studies should apply a standardized high prevalence threshold of at least > 90% unless there is a valid reason for relaxation or sample exclusion. The consistent association of Providencia spp. with larval performance across both genetic lines highlights their crucial role in the BSFL gut ecosystem.

PEGylation Can Effectively Strike a Balance in siRNA Delivery Performances of Guanidinylated Linear Synthetic Polypeptides with Potential Use for Transcriptional Gene Silencing.

The prevailing design philosophy for polymeric vectors delivering siRNA is rooted in the post-transcriptional gene silencing (PTGS) mechanism. Yet, the transcriptional gene silencing (TGS) mechanism offers a potentially more durable silencing effect, which necessitates efficient siRNA delivery into the nucleus. However, it remains a challenge for the polymeric vectors to efficiently deliver siRNA into the nucleus. We have explored guanidinylated cyclic synthetic polypeptides (GCSPs) to enhance the nuclear delivery of siRNA, but an increased cytotoxicity and difficulty in producing the GCSPs on a large scale limit their utility. Herein, we simply prepare PEGylated guanidinylated linear synthetic polypeptides (PGLSPs) exhibiting improved membrane penetration, direct siRNA transport to the nucleus, reduced toxicity, high cellular uptake, and mitigation of protein corona formation. The PEGylation can effectively balance the vector's nuclear delivery capacity with other critical aspects of performances for siRNA delivery. Therefore, the PGLSPs hold promise as TGS-based delivery vectors, offering potential for future therapeutic applications.

Evaluation of Website Performance and Usability Using GTMetrix, Usability Testing, and System Usability Scale (SUS) Methods

This study was conducted to measure the performance of IAIN Metro's website in terms of performance and user perception to ensure that the campus website can adequately support visitors' needs. This study aims to determine things that need to be improved to improve the performance of the IAIN Metro website. To get comprehensive results from the performance of the website, this research uses GTMetrix to analyse the technical performance of the IAIN Metro website, and then, to test user perceptions, researchers use Usability Testing and System Usability Scale methods. In usability testing, several aspects will be measured to determine usability problems, namely learnability and efficiency, while the System Usability Scale questionnaire will be used to test the satisfaction level. Based on the test results using GTMetrix, after testing, several aspects of the access speed of the IAIN Metro website need to be improved. Although, in general, from the test results, Usability Testing and System Usability Scale users still consider the performance of the website to be acceptable, the results of the first task on Time Based Efficiency testing show that initial access to the main page metrouniv.ac.id, takes a relatively long time compared to other tasks. This is also evident from the GTMetrix score on the performance aspect, which has a low presentation of 25%. Therefore, optimisation is needed on the main page to improve website performance.

The Effect of Employing Green Materials on the Business Performance of the Sustainable Retail Sector

There has been an increasing demand in the retail sector to become more environmentally sustainable in its operations. One crucial aspect of sustainable retail operations is green materials, which can lead to better business performance among firms in sustainable retailing. The quantitative approach was adopted in this study, whereby a structured questionnaire was administered to the respondents, who, in this case, were retailers in a specific sustainable retail environment. The population of this study comprises 200 retailers based in the sustainable retail sector who are using green materials for their supply chain packaging and manufacturing processes, such as Post Industry Recycled, biodegradable and organically oriented materials. This study will help develop strategies to incorporate green materials in business operations to benefit companies in a sustainable retailing business. The research shows that adopting environment friendly materials such as biodegradable and recyclable ones can make a company more profitable, prefered by customers, loyal to the customers and respond to their needs and promote their image to previse customers who are green conscious. It entails that sustainable actors in the retail sector who incorporate green materials in their product designing and manufacturing processes are likely to snatch the sustainable market efficiently.

Impact of the Mediterranean Diet on Athletic Performance, Muscle Strength, Body Composition, and Antioxidant Markers in Both Athletes and Non-Professional Athletes: A Systematic Review of Intervention Trials.

Background: The Mediterranean Diet (MD) has gained attention for its potential benefits in enhancing athletic performance and overall health. This systematic review aims to evaluate the effects of the MD on athletic performance, strength, body composition, and metabolic markers in both athletes and non-professional athletes. Methods: The review included seven studies with a total of 116 participants, ranging from professional handball players to non-professional strength athletes. The studies assessed various aspects of athletic performance, including strength, power, endurance, and body composition. Results: The main key findings from the review showed that MD may improve muscle endurance and power, as well as anaerobic performance in CrossFit athletes, and MD was associated with enhanced strength performance, including increased vertical jump height, hand grip strength, and shuttle run performance. The results on the impact on body composition were mixed, with some studies showing improvements in fat-free mass and skeletal muscle mass, while others found no significant changes. The MD also demonstrated positive effects on several markers, such as increased plasma total antioxidant activity and decreased markers of oxidative stress and inflammation. Conclusions: In conclusion, while the MD seems to represent a viable dietary strategy for enhancing athletic performance and overall health, more rigorous studies are necessary to clarify its impact across diverse athletic populations.

Quality, Safety, and Security Systems in the Greek Port Industry: Over Twenty Years of Research, Empirical Evidence, and Future Perspectives

Background: Quality, Safety and Security are embedded in all aspects of port operations and are crucial for port industry stakeholders. Over the past decades, numerous assurance systems, codes, and regulations for quality, safety, and security have been developed and implemented in ports world-wide. This paper examines key insights for the implementation those systems in ports, reviewing over 20 years of empirical research on the impact and outcomes of such systems in Greek ports and internationally. Methods: It compares and discusses evidence from two empirical surveys spanning the first two decades of the 21rst century. The first survey was conducted in 2011 (with evidence from 2000 to 2011) including 12 major Greek ports (SAs) and the second one was conducted up to 2022–2023, including 23 over 25 Greek ports (the same SAs and other ones from the Greek TEN-T network). Results: The higher-level scope of this paper is to investigate critical perspectives on and trends in quality, safety, and security systems in the port industry. Conclusions: This investigation aims to strengthen the assumption that quality, safety, and security play a pivotal role in shaping the image, performance, and growth of ports.

Solo music performance assessment criteria: a systematic review.

Assessment is a crucial aspect of music performance. In pedagogical contexts, an effective assessment process can measure student achievement and inform instructional decisions that contribute to improving teaching and learning. However, music performance assessment is particularly challenging due to its inherent subjectivity, involving personal expression and interpretation, which can lead to divergent opinions. In this PRISMA systematic review (registration DOI: 10.17605/OSF.IO/CSM8Q), we aimed to delimit and analyze solo music performance assessment systems found in the literature to date, including their corresponding evaluation categories and descriptive criteria, rating methodology, and target audience. A search in three main scientific databases (Web of Science, Scopus, ERIC) was conducted using keywords associated with the topic of assessment in the field of solo music performance. Ultimately, 20 papers were selected and examined, resulting in 26 original assessment systems for analysis. Regarding sample characteristics, we found that studies mainly focused on evaluating high school and university students, with music teachers and faculty members serving as primary evaluators. Many assessment systems were designed to be applicable across various instruments, although some were tailored to specific instruments (e.g., piano, voice) and families (e.g., brass, woodwind). Systems typically structured evaluation around technical, interpretative/expressive, and various musical feature categories (e.g., pitch, rhythm, intonation), further elaborated with descriptive items. While five-point Likert scales were commonly used, recent studies indicated a shift towards rubrics for detailed feedback, which aids examiners' understanding and supports student progress. No differentiation was found in assessment criteria based on students' learning stages, suggesting an area for improvement in refining these assessment methods. This study identifies gaps and proposes improvements in existing assessment systems, providing a foundation for educators and policymakers to enhance curriculum design and instructional practices in music education.

Cannabidiol finds dihydrocannabidiol as its twin in anti-inflammatory activities and the mechanism

Ethnopharmacological relevanceThe hemp (cataloged at the “Medicinal Plant Names Services” as Cannabis sativa L.) extracts, cannabinoids have been used for centuries in Southeast Asia as folk medicines and now authorized by about 50 countries for application in medicine, health care products and cosmetics. As the most consumed cannabinoid, cannabidiol (CBD) has been recognized due to its various bioactivities, including anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Aims of the studyThe utilization of CBD is limited due to its potential conversion to psychoactive Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol in strong acidic environment, demanding to excavate safer alternatives with clarified bioactivities. Yet the anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties of CBD still remain unknown, in both of the performances and the corresponding mechanisms. Previously, a synthetic CBD analogue, H2CBD (Dihydrocannabidiol) was found to be effective as CBD does towards some antioxidantive activities and mouse seizure mitigation. Therefore, it is wondering if H2CBD also acted similarly as CBD does in the aspect of anti-inflammatory performance and mechanism, and the safety. Material and methodsThe anti-inflammatory properties of CBD and H2CBD were revealed with enzymatic assays, proteins denaturation and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated RAW264.7 cells model, with epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) as the positive control. Their anti-inflammatory mechanism was revealed with ELISA and Western blot assay. The antibacterial properties of CBD and H2CBD were also investigated towards E. faecalis and B. cereus along with their synergistic effect with commercial antibiotics. ResultsCBD and H2CBD exhibited almost same (P > 0.05) performance in all the assayed anti-inflammatory properties, yet their anti-inflammatory efficiencies positively correlated to their antioxidantive activity. Moreover, both of CBD and H2CBD presented anti-inflammation to LPS stimulated RAW264.7 cells through NF-κB and AKT pathway. Furthermore, CBD and H2CBD also supplied strong and very similar (P > 0.05) antibacterial activities, comparable to tetracycline in same dose and strength. The erythrocyte hemolytic assay indicates CBD and H2CBD possessing the same safety. All the combinations of H2CBD with other cannabinoids or antibiotics present no antagonism against the bacteria, but nice synergistic or additive effect in some cases. ConclusionCBD and H2CBD presented very similarly in all the assayed anti-inflammatory performances, undergoing same inflammatory mechanism with NF-κB and AKT pathway; they also expressed similar antibacterial activity, like twins. These findings will supply CBD a sustainable, safer and economic alternative with same excellent performances.

How Practice Ready are We? Attitude among Fresh Dental Graduates Regarding Dental Practice Management in India

Background Dental practice management encompasses the administrative and operational aspects of running a dental office efficiently. Fostering dental practice management skills which are tailored to the current social needs will aid the practitioner to be more competent and successful.  Aim The aim of this study is to assess the attitude among fresh dental graduates regarding dental practice management.  Materials and Methods This survey was conducted among 207 interns, fresh dental graduates, and postgraduate students of various dental specialties. The study tool was a questionnaire, consisting of basic demographics and 11 questions, to assess participant’s attitude on dental practice management. Data collection was done using Google forms circulating through social media platforms and the first 207 to submit fully answered questionnaire were included in the study. The data was then statistically analyzed.  Conclusion Mean age of the study population was 26±2.58. Majority of the study population (80.7%) felt that dental practice management was equally important as clinical skill for a successful dental practice and thought it would be helpful if there were guidelines for dental practice management in India. Our study findings indicate need for reforms in dental curriculum and training in this area.

The versatility of iota-carrageenan biopolymer for the fabrication of non-toxic bio-based energy storage devices

The number of portable devices produced worldwide is strongly increasing, which results in an increasing need for energy storage devices. These devices are typically fabricated with scarce and toxic materials. Consequently, there is a current trend towards the substitution of these materials by biopolymers, although they are still often mixed with toxic substances to improve specific performance aspects. To address this issue, this work presents a self-standing non-toxic and potentially biodegradable polymer electrolyte membrane for electrochemical energy storage applications consisting of an abundant biopolymer, iota-carrageenan, and Deep Eutectic Solvent (DES).11List of abbreviations: DES: Deep eutectic solvent [EMIM][SCN]: 1-Ethyl-3-methyl-imidazolium thiocyanate CV: Cyclic voltammetry FTIR: Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy EIS: Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy CPE: Constant phase element. Ionic conductivities as high as 2 mS/cm were achieved for a proportion of carrageenan and DES of 25:75. Aqueous electrically conductive inks containing carbon black and active carbon were also developed using the same polymeric matrix. The inks were successfully printed (stencil method) on different substrates and electrically characterized, achieving sheet resistances as low as 38 Ω/sq. Supercapacitors were then fabricated by printing the electrically conductive ink on both sides of the self-standing membrane, demonstrating the versatility of iota-carrageenan biopolymer in the development of sustainable energy storage devices. The measured capacitance of the supercapacitors was 3.3 mF/cm2 in cyclic voltammetry characterization and 2.7 mF/cm2 when charging-discharging at 0.05 mA/cm2. The supercapacitors were found to be stable in cyclability studies, showing a capacity retention of 99 % after 5000 charge–discharge cycles.

Preparing digital advancements in Pasteur Subdistrict cooperatives

The digital economy presents significant opportunities for cooperatives to improve their governance and achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG-s) 8, which promotes decent work and inclusive economic growth. As business entities based on economic democracy, cooperatives have the potential to drive the digital economy and enhance the well-being of their members. However, cooperatives in Pasteur, West Java, face various governance challenges, including inadequate bookkeeping, member arrears on savings and loans, and low digital literacy. These hinder the performance and development of the cooperatives. A series of training programs on cooperative governance and human resource management were designed to address these challenges. The program also aimed to improve the digital literacy of cooperative leaders and members and assist them in managing financial and operational aspects more transparently, accountably, and efficiently. The training program proved effective in enhancing the knowledge and skills of cooperative leaders and members in utilizing digital applications for good governance. This led to positive outcomes such as improved bookkeeping, increased savings and loan repayment rates, and more participative and transparent decision-making.

Relationships of post-stroke fatigue with mobility, recovery, performance, and participation-related outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Effective post-stroke mobility, recovery, performance, and participation are key goals for stroke survivors. However, these outcomes may be hindered by post-stroke fatigue (PSF), which can affect numerous aspects of post-stroke mobility, recovery, performance, functioning, community participation, and return to work. This review aimed to assess the scientific evidence on the relationship between PSF and mobility function, functional recovery, functional performance, and participation-related outcomes among stroke survivors. A comprehensive search of Cochrane Central, PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science (WoS) databases was conducted from inception to December 2023. Observational, cross-sectional, and longitudinal studies were included. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the National Institute of Health's quality assessment tool, while the risk of bias was assessed using the Quality in Prognostic Studies tool. A total of 28 studies (n = 2,495 participants, 1,626 men, mean age ranging from 52.5 ± 9.5 to 71.1 ± 9.9 years) were included. The data analysis was conducted using narrative and quantitative synthesis. Fixed and random effects meta-analyses were conducted to explore the relationships between PSF and relevant outcomes. Chronic PSF was found to have significant negative correlations with mobility (meta r = -0.106, p < 0.001), balance performance (meta r = -0.172; 95%; p = 0.004), and quality of life (meta r = -0.647; p < 0.001). It also showed significant positive correlations with stroke impairment (meta r = 0.144, p < 0.001) and disability (meta r = 0.480, p < 0.001). Additionally, exertion/acute PSF had significantly negative correlations with walking economy (meta r = -0.627, p < 0.001) and walking endurance (meta r = -0.421, p = 0.022). The certainty of evidence was deemed moderate for these relationships. Our findings indicate that higher levels of PSF are associated with poorer mobility, balance, and participation, as well as greater disability and stroke impairment. Future studies, especially prospective longitudinal and randomized controlled trials, are warranted to substantiate our findings. PROSPERO, identifier: CRD42023492045.

Hydrogen-Rich Water to Enhance Exercise Performance: A Review of Effects and Mechanisms.

Background: Hydrogen-rich water (HRW) has garnered significant interest within the sports and exercise science community due to its selective antioxidant properties. Despite its potential benefits, comprehensive reviews specifically addressing its effects on athletic performance are limited. This review aims to assess the impact of HRW on sports performance and explore the underlying molecular biological mechanisms, with the goal of elucidating how HRW might enhance athletic performance. Methods: This review synthesizes research on HRW by examining articles published between 1980 and April 2024 in databases such as PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science. Results: It highlights HRW's effects on various aspects of athletic performance, including endurance, strength, sprint times, lunge movements, countermovement jump height, and time to exhaustion. While the precise mechanisms by which HRW affects athletic performance remain unclear, this review investigates its general molecular biological mechanisms beyond the specific context of sports. This provides a theoretical foundation for future research aimed at understanding how HRW can enhance athletic performance. HRW targets the harmful reactive oxygen and nitrogen species produced during intense exercise, thereby reducing oxidative stress-a critical factor in muscle fatigue, inflammation, and diminished athletic performance. HRW helps to scavenge hydroxyl radicals and peroxynitrite, regulate antioxidant enzymes, mitigate lipid peroxidation, reduce inflammation, protect against mitochondrial dysfunction, and modulate cellular signaling pathways. Conclusions: In summary, while a few studies have indicated that HRW may not produce significant beneficial effects, the majority of research supports the conclusion that HRW may enhance athletic performance across various sports. The potential mechanisms underlying these benefits are thought to involve HRW's role as a selective antioxidant, its impact on oxidative stress, and its regulation of redox homeostasis. However, the specific molecular biological mechanisms through which HRW improves athletic performance remain to be fully elucidated.