Decremental Effect Research Articles

Birth Weight, Current Weight, and Weight Dynamism from Birth to Adulthood as Measure of Outcome in Heart Failure

Objectives: Among the non-communicable disease, the cardiovascular disease is major cause of mortality worldwide. The risk factors include the hypertension, diabetes mellitus increasing age and gender, and dyslipidemia. Recently, much attention has been paid to impact of weight in determining the cardiovascular events and it’s role in development of chronic disease. Studies have been published for fetal origin for adult disease; one among them is barker’s hypothesis. Furthermore, epidemiological study proposes decremental effects of birth weight outside the normal range. Our study focuses on significance of birth weight, weight dynamism from birth to adulthood for correlation with heart failure (HF) in adults. Materials and Methods: Imaging studies were done with echocardiography (ECHO) of 2.5–3.5 Mhz transducers. Patients were grouped as Group A and B. Group A is asymptomatic, healthy population. Group B patients have failure signs and symptoms. Both group undergone to 2D ECHO, necessary tests, and body mass index measured. Results: In our study, we collected data from 100 subjects. Out of 50 patients in case, group age of patient ranges from 50 to 60 years. Among the control group, age of patients ranges from 50 to 60 years. Mean age of patient in case group is 58.4 ± 3.36 year. Mean age of patients in Group A is 56.6 ± 3.02 years. Birth weight among the patients with HF ranges from 1.5 to 3.5 kg. Total number of patients having low birth weight (LBW) is 44 among case group. None of patients were having LBW in control group and was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Thus indicating, there is higher incidence of HF in patients having LBW. Mean birth weight among patients with HF was 2.14 ± 0.267 kg and among control group was 3.01 ± 0.276 kg. Incidence of HF was more among women than men group. Conclusion: The LBW associated HF and has inverse relationship with cardiovascular function; also, adult obese population have increased risk of HF. similarly, severe left ventricular dysfunction had high present weight and women had high risk of HF compared to men group.

Geologic and thermal conductivity analysis based on geophysical test and combined modeling

Strata thermal conductivity (λe) influences efficiency of medium-depth ground heat exchangers. However, a systematic approach to the acquisition of λe is still lacking. Hence, stratigraphic heat conduction was analyzed using geophysical test in Shenyang, combined with composite modeling. Cenozoic strata (0–730m) exhibited an average λe of 1.32 W·m−1·K−1 due to higher porosity and mud content; Archaean (730–2500m) strata displayed a higher λe of 2.80 W·m−1·K−1, due to dense quartz sandstone with lower porosity and mud content. The CBHE in Shenyang can achieve excellent heat extraction relying on good thermal conduction. Spearman correlation revealed strong negative correlations between λe and acoustic time difference, permeability, and porosity, while positive correlations were observed with depth, resistivity, wave speed, and rock skeleton. Higher rock skeleton thermal conductivity intensified the decrement effect of mud content on λe, while higher mud content diminished the enhancement effect of rock skeleton thermal conductivity. As porosity increased, the decline in λe slowed, particularly pronounced at higher saturation levels. λe exhibited a gradual decrease with temperature, with a more notable change rate observed at lower porosity levels. Principles for enhancing thermal conduction were elucidated through a three-phase analysis. These findings provide foundation for the study and design of medium-depth boreholes.

Injury prevention in professional soccer players: can re-warmup training be organized in the post-warmup and half-time during a soccer game in a short time?

Passive time, during the post-warmup and half-time, decreases athletes' performance and increases injury risk factors in the active phases of the soccer match. Objective. This narrative review aims to research and synthesize existing evidence to identify brief re-warmup strategies that may find applicability in the post-warmup and half-time of a soccer match. The analysis was conducted on PubMed, Web of Science, PEDro, SPORTDiscus and Google Scholar. Due to the lack of evidence, no temporal time was established, preferring most up-to-date articles. The data were synthesized in relation to the objectives, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Our research yielded a total of 753 studies, 463 related to re-warmup, 136 articles on re-warmup in soccer, and 154 articles on re-warmup during half-time. Of these, 26 met the inclusion objectives and were included in this research. Our findings confirm that a re-warmup can mitigate the decremental effect of static rest on performance. From the studies considered, we have identified a work that emphasizes how a 1-minute warmup of high-intensity exercise at speed corresponding to 90% of VO<inf>2max</inf> can prevent decreases related to passive time, in sprint performance and muscle strength, as well as improve muscle temperature. These results could apply to both post-warmup and half-time scenarios of a soccer match. From this narrative review, it has been possible to highlight a one-minute high-intensity re-warmup that improved sprint performance, increased core temperature, and enhanced muscle activation, not leading to additional physiological or psychological fatigue.

Pattern of Mobile Phone Use in Children Diagnosed with Neuro-Developmental Disorders: A Retrospective Cross Sectional Study

Background: Digital technologies including mobile phone device have progressively become an integral part of the life of children and adolescents for communication as well as learning and playing. According to some authors, the use of mobile device constitutes a “passive” behavior or one-way communication, which takes the child away from other more useful learning processes.Objectives: To evaluate the pattern of mobile device use in children with Neurodevelopmental disorders in Bangladesh.Methods: This retrospective cross sectional type of study was conducted at Department of Paediatric Neurology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) from November 2022 to April 2023. Children aged 1-5 year with neurodevelopmental disorders eg; ASD, ADHD, Isolated speech delay, Epilepsy, GDD were selected and enrolled in this study. Then children were assessed thoroughly by taking detailed history and physical examination. Neurodevelopmental assessment was done by Rapid Neurodevelopmental Assessment (RNDA). In confirmed cases, parents were asked retrogradely regarding the pattern of use mobile phone of their child. Data were collected in pre-designed structured questionnaire after taking approval of Institutional review board. An informed written consent was taken from the parents or the legal guardians.Results: Total 100 children were included. Male were outnumbered (71%) than female. Isolated speech delay was the commonest neurodevelopmental disorder (33%) followed by ASD. Average screen used time were about 3-5 hours of one-third children (38%). Majority of the parents (42.4%) were involved in their household work at the time of mobile use. More than half of the children (57.8%) use mobile phone for watching cartoon. About 50% parents believe that mobile phone having decremental effect on child’s brain development. Maternal mobile was the prime source (65.5%) for using mobile device. Conclusion: Isolated speech delay was the most commonly encountered neurodevelopmental disorder in this study. Average screen used time were about 3-5 hours for one-third studied children. More than half of the neurodevelopmental disordered children use mobile phone for watching cartoon. About half of the parents belief that mobile device have definite decremental effects on child’s brain development.

Effects of Compound Fertilizer Decrement and Water-Soluble Humic Acid Fertilizer Application on Soil Properties, Bacterial Community Structure, and Shoot Yield in Lei Bamboo (Phyllostachys praecox) Plantations in Subtropical China

Lei bamboo (Phyllostachys praecox) is an economically viable bamboo species with rich nutrition, a good taste, and a high yield. However, heavy fertilization and covering cultivation are used to produce off-season bamboo shoots, resulting in soil degradation and a decline in site productivity. This study investigated how compound fertilizer decrement and water-soluble humic acid fertilizer application affects soil properties and shoot yield in Lei bamboo plantations of subtropical China. The soil nutrients, enzyme activities, and shoot yield were examined, the bacterial community structure was determined using the high-throughput sequencing method, and their relationships were evaluated under different fertilization treatments: single compound fertilizer and compound fertilizer decrement with water-soluble humic acid fertilizer applications. Compared with those after single compound fertilizer treatments (CF1, CF2), water-soluble humic acid fertilizer addition (CF2HA1, CF2HA2) increased soil organic carbon (SOC), available phosphorus (AP), microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN) contents, the ratio of SOC to total nitrogen (C/N), and sucrase and acid phosphatase (Acp) activities, and decreased alkali hydrolyzed nitrogen (AN) and microbial biomass carbon (MBC) contents. The bacterial community phyla comprised 83.62%–86.16% Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, and Chloroflexi. Water-soluble humic acid fertilizer application also significantly increased yields by over 30%. AP and MBN were important drivers affecting soil bacterial communities, whereas SOC, MBN, and Chloroflexi affected Lei bamboo shoots. Overall, compound fertilizer decrement and water-soluble humic acid fertilizer application shifted the available soil nutrients, sucrase and Acp activity, bacterial community diversity, and shoot yield. An improved understanding of humic acid and the application of humic acid water-soluble fertilizer are of great significance for soil improvement, ecological restoration, and the sustainable management of bamboo forests in the future.

Abstract 13514: Unfavorable Neurological Outcomes With Incremental Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Duration in Cardiac Arrest Brain Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Introduction: Duration of Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) affects neurological outcomes. Data on its decremental effect on neurological outcomes haven’t been explored before Methods: PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar were searched for relevant studies until May 2023 using relevant keywords. Odds of good neurological outcomes were studied. Binary random-effects models were used to estimate pooled odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Leave one out sensitivity analysis was performed. Heterogeneity was assessed using I2 statistics. For outcomes showing moderate or high heterogeneity, subgroup analyses were performed for follow-up duration or type of study. A p&lt;0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 349,027 cardiac arrest patients (mean age: 70.2 years; males: 56.5%) from four studies were included in the meta-analysis. Of them the initial rhythm was shockable in 11% (38,465/349,027) and non-shockable in 88.97% (310,562/349,027) of the population. Odds of having favorable neurologic outcomes were OR 0.32 (95% CI 0.10-1.01, p=0.05) for 6-10-minute(n=14,118), OR 0.10 (95 %CI 0.02-0.64,p=0.02) for 11-15 min(n=43885), OR 0.05 (95% CI 0.01-0.36, p&lt;0.01) for 16-20 minutes(n=66,174), OR 0.04 (95% CI 0.01-0.21, p&lt; 0.01) for &gt; 20 min(n=181,262) and OR 0.03 (95% CI 0.00-1.55, p=0.08) for &gt; 30 minutes (n=66,461) when compared to patients receiving CPR for &lt; 5 mins (n=6420).(Fig.1) Conclusions: Steady decremental odds of favorable neurological outcomes were seen with every five minutes of increase in CPR duration with a statistically significant decline seen in CPR duration of 11-15 mins onwards

The effects of atomoxetine and trazodone combination on obstructive sleep apnea and sleep microstructure: A double-blind randomized clinical trial study

Study objectiveswe aimed to compare the effects of atomoxetine and trazodone (A-T) in combination with placebo in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). MethodsThis randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover trial study was conducted in adults with OSA referred to a Sleep Clinic. Participants with eligibility criteria were recruited. Patients were studied on two separate nights with one-week intervals, once treated with trazodone (50 mg) and atomoxetine (80 mg) combination and then with a placebo and the following polysomnography tests. ResultsA total of 18 patients with OSA completed the study protocol, 9(50%) were male, the mean age was 47.5 years (SD = 9.8) and the mean Body mass index of participants was 28.4 kg/m2 (SD = 3.4). Compared with the placebo, the A-T combination resulted in significant differences in AHI (28.3(A-T) vs. 42.7 (placebo), p = 0.025), duration of the REM stage (1.3%TST (A-T) vs. 13.1%TST (placebo), p = 0.001), and the number of REM cycles (0.8 (A-T) vs. 4.7 (placebo), p = 0.001), number of apneas (38.3 (A-T) vs. 79.3 (placebo), p = 0.011), number of obstructive apneas (37.2 (A-T) vs. 75.2 (placebo), p = 0.011), oxygen desaturation index (29.5 (A-T) vs. 42.3 (placebo), p = 0.022) and number of respiratory arousals (43.2 (A-T) vs. 68.5 (placebo), p = 0.048). This decrement effect did not change among those with a low-arousal phenotype of OSA. ConclusionsThe A-T combination significantly improved respiratory events’ indices compared with placebo in patients with OSA. This combination is recommended to be assessed in a large trial. It could be an alternative for those who do not adhere to the standard available treatments for OSA.

Long-range and cross-frequency neural modulation of gamma flicker on vigilance decrement.

Vigilance decrement is a ubiquitous problem in attention-demanding tasks. Therefore, it is significant to develop neuromodulation methods to mitigate the negative neural effect of vigilance decrement. As one of the non-invasive brain stimulation techniques, visual flicker/rhythmic visual stimulation (RVS) has been proposed to entrain neural oscillations and thereby modulate cognitive processes supported by these brain rhythms, but its effects on vigilance decrement are still unclear. Here, we investigated the effect of gamma flicker on vigilance decrement and its underlying neural mechanism. Thirty participants wererecruited to perform a 12-min vigilance task. They were required to discriminate the orientation of lateralized triangle targets with/without 40-Hz RVS background. As a result, it was found that 40-Hz RVS mitigated the decrease in perceptual sensitivity ( ) with time-on-task, a typical adverse effect on behaviors caused by vigilance decrement. Electroencephalography (EEG) results showed that 40-Hz RVS could reduce the significant decline of post-stimulus theta-band inter-trial coherence (ITC) in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) with time-on-task. Regression analysis further revealed that the anterior theta-band ITC was significantly correlated to perceptual sensitivity ( ) in a positive manner. These findings indicated that gamma flicker to the visual cortex had a cross-frequency neuromodulation effect on low-frequency EEG responses over the long-range PFC region. Furthermore, this study provides new insights into the neural effects of 40-Hz RVS, which could impact time-on-task effects on vigilance behaviors and alter the utilization of attentional resources. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11571-023-10008-6.

Utilization of engineered silicate dispersion as a cost-effective cheapener and engineered carbonate dispersion as novel reinforcing additives for nitrile latex glove application

Utilization of silicate minerals fillers in latex offer dual function as a compatible filler and cheapener that economical way to reduce latex consumption. This research explores the effect of using Engineered Silicate Composite Dispersion (ESD 086) as fillers for nitrile latex-supported gloves, seeking to explore their properties while ensuring cost-effectiveness. The reinforcement effect of novel Engineered Carbonate Dispersion (ECD 011) for ESD 086 filled Carboxylated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (XNBR/ESD 086) latex films has also been explored. XNBR latex films were compounded with three variants of ESD 086 at different loadings (in phr). From three variants of ESD 086 fillers, variant ESD 086A at 10 phr shows the highest tensile strength. As the ESD 086A filler loading increased up to 15 phr, the tensile strength decreased, indicating the ineffectiveness to be used at higher loading. The work was continued by exploring the use of novel ECD 011 to minimize the decrement effect. The 15 phr ESD 086 filled XNBR latex films (XNBR/ESD 086A-15) were subjected to a hybrid loading from 0 to 1.2 phr with 0.2 phr staggered increment together with the reduction of ECD 011:ZnO ratio in the XNBR latex compounds. Results show that at 0.6:0.6 phr of ECD 011:ZnO, the tensile strength of XNBR/ESD 086A-15 latex films increased and the elongation at break also improved. Using ESD 086A can reduce the usage of XNBR latex. Still, it can only be used up to 10 phr (optimum loading) and ECD 011 can maintain the physical properties and offer maximum cost-saving options for XNBR latex glove formulation at higher loading of ESD fillers. Overall, both engineered dispersions offer potential commercial benefits for the Nitrile gloves industry.

Maternal age differences in cognitive regulation: examination of associations and interactions between RSA and EEG frontoparietal alpha power coherence.

Strong cognitive regulation is advantageous for flexible, responsive parenting. Optimal cognitive regulation is reliant on associations between physiological mechanisms of central and peripheral nervous system functioning. Across middle adulthood there may be shifts in how cognitive regulation functions, reflecting changes in the associations and interactions between these physiological mechanisms. Two physiological indicators of cognitive regulation are autonomic regulation of the heart (e.g., respiratory sinus arrhythmia, RSA) and activity of the brain's frontoparietal network (e.g., frontoparietal EEG alpha power coherence, FPc). In the current study we examined maternal age differences (N = 90, age M = 32.35 years, SD = 5.86 years) in correlations and interactions between RSA and FPc in the statistical prediction of cognitive regulation [i.e., executive function (EF), effortful control (EC), cognitive reappraisal (CR)]. Age-related patterns involving interaction between RSA and FPc were found, pointing to a potential shift from optimization to compensation for changes with aging or alternately, the effects of age-based decrements in functioning. Findings are discussed in the context of adult developmental changes in maternal caregiving.

Similar functional roles of the Orexin-1 and Orexin-2 receptors within the dentate gyrus area of the hippocampus in the stress-induced antinociceptive responses in the acute pain model in the rat

Studies establish that the brain's Orexin system is involved in pain modulation. Orexin-1 and orexin-2 receptors (OX1 and OX2r, respectively) are essential in responsiveness to stressful stimuli. Some evidence indicates that the hippocampus's dentate gyrus (DG) potentially modulates pain and stress. The present study examined the involvement of OX1 and OX2 receptors within the DG in response to acute pain after exposure to forced swim stress (FSS). Five to seven days post-stereotaxic surgery, the baseline tail-flick latency (TFL) was taken from the animal, then rats unilaterally received through an implanted cannula either different doses of OX1r antagonist (SB334867; 1, 3, 10, and 30 nmol), OX2r antagonist (TCS OX2 29; 1, 3, 10 and 30 nmol), or vehicle (0.5 μl solution of 12% DMSO). After 5 min, rats were exposed to the FSS for six minutes. Subsequently, the tail-flick test was conducted, and the TFLs were measured at the 60-min time set intervals. Results indicated that FSS produces antinociceptive responses in the tail-flick test. Two-way ANOVA analysis showed that Microinjection of OX1r and OX2r antagonists into the DG region of the brain reduced FSS-induced analgesia in the tail-flick test. The decrement effects of these two antagonists were almost the same. Additionally, results showed that the role of both receptors was the same in modulating stress-induced analgesia (SIA). These findings show that the orexin system in the hippocampal DG region might be partially involved in the SIA in acute pain.

Vigilance decrement and mind-wandering in sustained attention tasks: Two sides of the same coin?

Decrements in performance and the propensity for increased mind-wandering (i.e., task-unrelated thoughts) across time-on-task are two pervasive phenomena observed when people perform vigilance tasks. In the present study, we asked whether processes that lead to vigilance decrement and processes that foster the propensity for mind-wandering (MW) can be dissociated or whether they share a common mechanism. In one experiment, we introduced two critical manipulations: increasing task demands and applying anodal high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Seventy-eight participants were randomly assigned to one of four groups resulting from the factorial combination of task demand (low, high) and stimulation (anodal, sham). Participants completed the sustained attention to response task (SART), which included thought probes on intentional and unintentional MW. In addition, we investigated the crucial role of alpha oscillations in a novel approach. By assessing pre-post resting EEG, we explored whether participants' variability in baseline alpha power predicted performance in MW and vigilance decrement related to tDCS or task demands, respectively, and whether such variability was a stable characteristic of participants. Our results showed a double dissociation, such that task demands exclusively affected vigilance decrement, while anodal tDCS exclusively affected the rate of MW. Furthermore, the slope of the vigilance decrement function and MW rate (overall, intentional and unintentional) did not correlate. Critically, resting state alpha-band activity predicted tDCS-related gains in unintentional MW alone, but not in vigilance decrement, and remained stable after participants completed the task. These results show that when a sustained attention task involving executive vigilance, such as the SART, is designed to elicit both vigilance decrement effects and MW, the processes leading to vigilance decrement should be differentiated from those responsible for MW, a claim that is supported by the double dissociation observed here and the lack of correlation between the measures chosen to assess both phenomena. Furthermore, the results provide the first evidence of how individual differences in alpha power at baseline may be of crucial importance in predicting the effects of tDCS on MW propensity.

Searching for nothing: placing zero on the temporal continuum

Generalization allows responses acquired in one situation to be transferred to similar situations. For temporal stimuli, a discontinuity has been found between zero and non-zero durations: responses in trials with no (or 0-s) stimuli and in trials with very short stimuli differ more than what would be expected by generalization. This discontinuity may happen because 0-s durations do not belong to the same continuum as non-zero durations. Alternatively, the discontinuity may be due to generalization decrement effects: a 0-s stimulus differs from a short stimulus not only in duration, but also in its presence, thus leading to greater differences in performance. Aiming to reduce differences between trials with and without a stimulus, we used two procedures to test whether a potential reduction in generalization decrement would bring performance following zero and non-zero durations closer. In both procedures, there was a reduction in the discontinuity between 0-s and short durations, supporting the hypothesis that 0-s durations are integrated in the temporal subjective continuum.

Lateral habenula lesions impair the association of a conditioned stimulus with the absence of an unconditioned stimulus: Retardation task

Recent studies have indicated that the lateral habenula (LHb) mediates the association of a conditioned stimulus (CS) with the absence of an unconditioned stimulus (US). We generated a CS-no US association using an explicit unpaired training procedure and evaluated the conditioned inhibitory properties using the modified version of the retardation-of-acquisition procedure, one of the procedures for assessing conditioned inhibition. First, rats in the unpaired group received explicit unpaired light (CS) and food (US) presentations, followed by light-food pairings. Rats in the comparison group received paired training alone. The rats in the two groups showed increased food-cup responses to light over paired training. However, rats in the unpaired group showed a slower acquisition of light and food excitatory conditioning than those in the comparison group. Light acquired conditioned inhibitory properties through explicitly unpaired training, as evidenced by its slowness. Second, we examined the effects of the LHb lesions on the decremental effects of unpaired learning on subsequent excitatory learning. Sham-operated rats exhibited decremental effects of unpaired learning on subsequent excitatory learning, while rats with LHb neurotoxic lesions did not. Third, we tested whether preexposure to the same number of lights presented in the unpaired training retarded the acquisition of subsequent excitatory conditioning. Preexposure to light did not significantly retard the acquisition of subsequent excitatory associations, with no LHb lesion effects. These findings indicate that LHb is critically involved in the association between CS and the absence of US.

Association Between Contrast Sensitivity and Physical Function in Cognitively Healthy Older Adults: The Brain Networks and Mobility Function Study.

To evaluate whether contrast sensitivity is associated with lower extremity physical function in cognitively intact older adults. Cross-sectional analysis of the relationship of binocular and worse eye log contrast sensitivity (LCS) to expanded Short Physical Performance Battery (eSPPB) and its components (gait speed, narrow walking speed, chair stand pace, and balance) in 192 cognitively healthy older adults. The association of LCS with postural sway and gait was also tested with tasks that further challenged functional reserve. Mean age was 76.4 years with 56% identifying as female and over 98.5% having good corrected visual acuity. Lower LCS was significantly associated with worse performance on the eSPPB, 4-M gait speed, narrow walking speed, and balance time in unadjusted and adjusted models. The relationship between worse eye LCS and larger postural sway was 3 times greater on a foam surface (beta 1.07, 95% CI [0.35, 1.80]) than a firm surface (beta 0.35, 95% CI [0.05, 0.65]), and both were robust to adjustment for confounders; similar findings were observed with binocular LCS. Lower binocular LCS had a greater decremental effect on gait velocity during the fast pace (beta -0.58, 95% CI [-0.90, -0.27]) than the usual pace (Beta -0.39 [-0.63, -0.15]) gait task. These findings suggest that cognitively unimpaired older adults without significant visual acuity impairment can have subtle preclinical deficits in contrast sensitivity and physical function that could place them at risk of mobility and balance issues. Future studies should determine whether this subset of older adults may benefit from targeted intervention to prevent disability.

Prediction of Cognitive Radio Networks (CNRs) Using COPRAS

"Cognitive Radio (CR) is a wireless form of communication in which a transceiver can intellectually discover which communication channels are in use and which are not. It avoids occupied channels and moves immediately to empty channels without disrupting licensed users. Cognitive sensor networks are capable of intelligently and automatically sensing localized environmental information through the deployment of multiple sensors. Fuzzy COPRAS, using the alternative channel decision, cognitive radio, data trade-off, and multi-criteria decision making (MCTM), is used to evaluate bandwidth, duty cycle, economic cost, and channel termination. The acquisition of data is based on the deployment of multiple sensors, and the result is based on bandwidth and economic cost. The results indicate that economic cost received the lowest rank, while the decision based on bandwidth and economic cost received the top ranking. The COPRAS method is a complex proportionality rating system that was introduced in 1994 by Zavatskas, Kaklauskas, et al. The index increment and decrement effect of attributes is considered separately in the result evaluation. Software-defined radio is the heart of a cognitive radio, and applications that distinguish cognitive radio from software-defined radio require additional hardware in the form of sensors and actuators. This enables more cognitive radio applications, including emergency networks and WLAN high-performance and transfer in spectrum-sensitive cognitive radio, which includes distance extensions. In the alternative decision-making method (MCTM), bandwidth, duty cycle, economic cost, and channel termination are evaluated."

Experimental approach for reducing nitrogen oxides emissions from ammonia–natural gas dual-fuel spark-ignition engine

In this study, characteristics of nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions from an ammonia–natural gas dual-fuel operation were investigated by conducting spark-ignition engine experiments under the maximum load and a low engine speed (∼1,100 rpm). The feasibility of using a conventional selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system to reduce the NOx emissions was also investigated. For the experiments, an 11-L six-cylinder spark-ignition engine was used with appropriate modifications to use natural gas and ammonia together as the fuel. Several species comprising NOx emissions (NO, NO2, and N2O) and ammonia were measured together using a Fourier transform infrared analyzer (FT-IR). An aftertreatment system, including an SCR system and an ammonia oxidation catalyst (AOC), for an original natural gas-fueled engine was used to reduce engine-out NOx using the unburned ammonia as a reducing agent.From the experimental results, it was found that the NO concentration first increased on the addition of ammonia, as the fuel NOx emissions were produced. However, the total NO concentration became saturated with increasing ammonia fraction, owing to the increased amount of unburned ammonia. Specifically, considering the trend of the burned gas temperature and its value at exhaust valve opening (EVO) timing, it is inferred that nitrogen oxide was reduced owing to unburned ammonia after the exhaust valve opening timing, where the temperature range of combustion product was suitable to trigger selective non-catalytic reduction (SNCR). The remaining ammonia, after the SNCR, was then virtually oxidized to reduce the remaining NO while passing SCR system, showing an almost zero level (<10 ppm) at the catalyst-out level. N2O and NO2 were produced in the order of tens and hundreds of ppm, respectively. Thus, despite the high level of global warming potential (GWP) of N2O, its contribution to global warming effect was not significant. On the other hand, the unburned methane was particularly increased at some point with poor combustion efficiency to offset the effect of decrement in carbon dioxide due to its high level of GWP.

Efficacy of school-based intervention programs in reducing overweight: A randomized trial.

Childhood obesity represents a serious public health problem and this study evaluates the effectiveness of a 6-month educational intervention on lifestyle, nutrient adequacy, and diet quality in the school setting in improving the knowledge and behavior of primary school children regarding correct eating habits. The strategy was implemented over a 6-month period and participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (n = 200) or the non-intervention group (control group, n = 197). Participants had a mean body mass index of 18.3 ± 2.7 kg/m2 and its variation in the intervention group (−2.7 ± 0.5 kg/m2) was significantly different from that in the control group (3.41 ± 0.8 kg/m2). In the experimental group, there were significant differences between the proportion of children who were overweight, underweight, normal weight, or obese before and after intervention (p < 0.05). The best results were seen in the female sex, and after the intervention, there were no more girls with obesity. Furthermore, there were significant waist circumference decrement effects in the intervention group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Finally, many of the participating children acquired healthy eating habits. Therefore, the quantitative results obtained suggest that a school intervention program represents an effective strategy to prevent and improve the problem of childhood overweight and obesity.

A 7-min halftime jog mitigated the reduction in sprint performance for the initial 15-min of the second half in a simulated football match.

This study compared the effects of a 7-min shuttle jog during halftime to a control condition (seated rest) on subsequent athletic performance and lower-leg temperature in the second half. Eighteen male football players (22 years, 179 cm, 70 kg, 10 years of athletic career) randomly performed a 20-m shuttle jog (at an intensity of 70% of heart rate maximum) and a seated rest (sitting on a bench) during halftime in two separate sessions. A 5-min football simulation protocol consisting of football-specific activities (jumping, sprinting, kicking, passing, and dribbling at various intensities and distances) was repeated nine times to mimic the first and second half of a football match. Athletic performance (maximal vertical jump height, 20-m sprint time, and the Arrowhead agility test time) recorded during a 15-min period were averaged to represent each time point (first half: T1 to T3; second half: T4 to T6). Lower-leg skin and muscle (using the insulation disk technique) temperature was recorded before and after the first and second half. There was no condition effect over time in maximal vertical jump: F5,187 = 0.53, p = 0.75, Arrowhead agility test time: F5,187 = 1.25, p = 0.29, and lower-leg temperature (skin: F3,119 = 1.40, p = 0.25; muscle: F3,119 = 1.08, p = 0.36). The 20-m sprint time between conditions during the initial 15-min of the second half was different (condition × time: F5,187 = 2.42, p = 0.04) that subjects who performed the shuttle jog ran 0.09 sec faster (3.08 sec, p = 0.002, ES = 0.68), as compared with those who did the seated rest (3.17 sec). The results of our study confirmed that a decremental effect of the static rest on sprinting performance during the initial period of the second halftime can be attenuated by a halftime warm-up.

Cognitive and Physical Effects of Warm-Up on Young Soccer Players.

This study analyzed the effects of with (WC) or without conducting a warm up on youth soccer players immediately before performing physical and cognitive tests. Fourteen youth soccer player (age 11.64 ± 0.50) participated in a counterbalanced cross-sectional study in which three conditions were tested: (a)basal lineal condition; (b)WC (immediately before the physical and cognitive tests); and (c)without WC (passive resting for 15min between the warm-up and physical and cognitive tests). A 30-m sprint test, countermovement jump, and psychomotor vigilance task were also applied. The WC revealed significant improvements in countermovement jump (p < .05), 30-m sprint test performance (p < .05), and reaction time in psychomotor vigilance task (p < .05) in comparison to basal lineal condition and without WC. A 15-min rest after a warm-up has a meaningfully decremental effect on the physical and cognitive readiness of youth soccer players, in comparison with when they warm-up immediately before the demands are imposed.