Determining Factor Research Articles

Body composition and physical performance of mountain bike athletes

Body composition is a determining factor in the physical performance of cyclists, directly influencing efficiency and power during competitions. Understanding these aspects can help optimize training and maximize results. This study aimed to analyze the influence of body composition on physical performance in mountain bike athletes. His cross-sectional study evaluated 83 mountain bike athletes (11 females, 39.60 ± 11.52 years). Body composition assessment was carried out using bioimpedance analysis. Participants performed the standing long jump and handgrip strength tests, to assess their strength of the lower and upper limbs, respectively. Finally, we measured the completion time of a Mountain Bike Marathon, with the distance of 75 km). Pearson’s correlation was analyzed to verify the influence of body composition on race time and physical performance tests. The race time was 168.14 ± 30.85 min. Standing long jump and handgrip strength tests were significantly correlated with all body composition parameters. Additionally, race time was significantly correlated with body fat percentage (r = 0.415, p = 0.000), skeletal muscle mass (r = − 0.427, p = 0.000), total body water (r = − 0.400, p = 0.000), intracellular water (r = − 0.420, p = 0.000), and extracellular water (r = − 0.370,p = 0.000). Body composition has a significant influence on the physical performance of mountain bike cyclists, with body water and muscle mass positively correlated with performance and body fat negatively correlated. A higher percentage of fat results in longer race times, while greater muscle mass and hydration result in shorter race times.

Analysis of the Impact of the Shift in Investigative Authority from Sector Police (Polsek) to Resort Police (Polres) on the Law Enforcement Process and Fulfillment of Justice for the Community in the Jurisdiction of the Bangka Belitung Islands Regional Police

The Indonesian National Police (Polri) holds a central role in safeguarding public security, maintaining order, and enforcing the law in Indonesia. The Chief of the National Police's Decision Number: Kep/613/III/2021 introduces a strategic shift of investigative authority from Sector Police (Polsek) to Resort Police (Polres) in designated areas, including within the Bangka Belitung Islands Regional Police jurisdiction. This transformation is designed to optimize preventive functions at the Polsek level. This study employs a normative juridical method combined with an empirical approach through regulatory analysis and interviews with law enforcement officers and community members. The results reveal that this policy shift positively affects the efficiency of case handling while refocusing the Polsek’s role on community security and public service. Several determining factors, such as geographical distance, report volume, and accessibility, significantly influence the selection of Polseks exempt from investigative duties. The findings suggest that delegating investigative tasks to Polres supports better resource allocation for Polri personnel, enhances community-based policing, and ensures preventive measures are implemented effectively. These changes aim to create a more efficient and equitable system of law enforcement that accommodates the specific needs of various local contexts.

Cohort study to evaluate the pattern of analgesic prescription in adult patients undergoing ambulatory surgery.

Postoperative pain in ambulatory surgery (AS) continues to be a recurrent problem despite anesthetic and surgical advances. Analgesic prescription and follow-up by patients at home may be a determining factor. Our objective was to evaluate analgesic prescription and its impact on the intensity of postoperative pain at 24 h and 7 days in an AS unit. Retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing AS. Anthropometric data, ASA classification, surgery, anesthesia, analgesic prescription and postoperative pain. A telephone call was made by nurses to evaluate the DAP at 24 h and one week after surgery. A total of 875 patients, 62% women, aged 50 ± 17 years, were studied. Orthopedic (45.4%); head and neck (19.5%); general (10.6%); vascular (11.9%); plastic (2.4%) and gynecological (10.2%) surgery was performed. Multimodal analgesia was prescribed: 83.7%, combination of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)+ paracetamol + metamizole: 70.79%; opioid + paracetamol or NSAID or in monotherapy:13.1%; monotherapy with paracetamol (15%) or NSAID (1.15%). Some 62.45% were prescribed "if pain" and 61.87% had rescue analgesia. At 24 hours the median (IQR) of pain on the self-assessing verbal scale was 3 (2 to 5) and at one week 2 (0 to 4). The presence of moderate-severe pain was 46% at 24 h and 31% at one week after surgery. Our results show great variability in analgesic prescription with insufficient control of postoperative pain in ambulatory surgery. Although the multimodal analgesic strategy has been widely used, opioid prescription has been insufficient in surgeries associated with moderate to severe pain.

ASSESSING THE INFLUENCE OF TECHNOLOGICAL TOOLS ON THE QUALITY OF COMPUTER-ASSISTED AUDITS: THE CASE OF MOROCCAN AUDIT FIRMS

The importance of auditing in Morocco lies in its central role in ensuring the reliability of financial information of businesses, fostering investor confidence, and promoting economic development. Concurrently, the adoption of computer-assisted audit in the country reflects the need to stay at the forefront of technology to address the challenges of a constantly evolving economy, thereby enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of audit procedures. This study aims to assess the extent of impact of technology on audit quality within a multidimensional context in Moroccan audit firms, based on a sample of over 300 auditors who are members of the Order of Chartered Accountants of Morocco. Data were analyzed through linear regression and principal component analysis (PCA) using SPSS. The results reveal that, except for the Big Four subsidiaries and major audit firms in Morocco, computer technology is not the most determining factor in terms of influencing audit quality. However, the study highlights a positive trend: audit firms in Morocco are on the path toward digitizing their processes, which could have a significant impact on the profession in the future.

BCL6 coordinates muscle mass homeostasis with nutritional states

Nutritional status is a determining factor for growth during development and homeostatic maintenance in adulthood. In the context of muscle, growth hormone (GH) coordinates growth with nutritional status; however, the detailed mechanisms remain to be fully elucidated. Here, we show that the transcriptional repressor B cell lymphoma 6 (BCL6) maintains muscle mass by sustaining GH action. Muscle-specific genetic deletion of BCL6 at either perinatal or adult stages profoundly reduces muscle mass and compromises muscle strength. Conversely, muscle-directed viral overexpression of BCL6 significantly reverses the loss of muscle mass and strength. Mechanistically, we show that BCL6 transcriptionally represses the suppressor of cytokine signaling 2 to sustain the anabolic actions of GH in muscle. Additionally, we find that GH itself transcriptionally inhibits BCL6 through the Janus kinase and signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (JAK/STAT5) pathway. Supporting the physiologic relevance of this feedback regulation, we show the coordinated suppression of muscle Bcl6 expression with the induction of GH in the fasted state. These findings reveal the complexity of the feedback controls modulating GH signaling and identify BCL6 as a key homeostatic regulator coordinating muscle mass with nutrient availability. Moreover, these studies open avenues for targeted therapeutic strategies to combat muscle-wasting conditions.

Efficacy and application potential of purified hydrocolloid coatings sprayed onto maize seeds subjected to anti-aging.

The use of purified hydrocolloids extracted from waste-activated sludge has significant potential for preventing seed deterioration caused by aging. In this study, we compared the advantages and disadvantages of 3 types of purified hydrocolloid seed coatings from different waste sludges and one commercial seed coating at different spraying times (2, 4, 6, and 8). Compared with coated maize seeds, uncoated maize seeds underwent significant functional changes during the aging process according to the infrared spectroscopy results. Subsequent pot experiments were conducted at 4 days after aging. The average germination rate of the coated maize seeds was greater than that of the uncoated seeds at all spraying times. In terms of antioxidant enzyme activities, seeds treated with different coatings presented an increasing trend with increasing spraying time, indicating a difference between different spraying times. Principal component analysis revealed that the optimum number of sprays to achieve the results of carboxymethyl cellulose seed coating was 8 for the Xiaohongmen Wastewater Treatment Plant, 6 for the Dongba Wastewater Treatment Plant, and 4 for the Nanyang Wastewater Treatment Plant. The number of sprays applied in practice is an important determining factor during seed storage.

A ROBÓTICA COMO FERRAMENTA DE ENSINO NAS SÉRIES INICIAIS DO ENSINO FUNDAMENTAL

Every day we come across more technological resources being used around us, and they become increasingly invisible as they are incorporated into our daily lives, whether in industry, commerce, personal tasks or education, where it is possible to learn and teach in different ways, developing skills and competencies. Seeking help in these technologies, the objective of this work is to provide new concepts about robotics, encouraging students to think creatively, efficiently, playfully and practically so that they can develop their skills and competencies, carrying out Math activities. It is necessary to make young people and children see the potential of innovation in technologies combined with play and relate them to their study routines, since they spend a lot of time consuming technology, through games and social networks. To this end, we thought of working in the classroom with robotic prototypes developing a learning object that, through a case study and exploratory research, were applied in the classroom, observing the motivation and performance of students when carrying out the activities in a quantitative and qualitative way. The case study was carried out with sixteen students from the 5th grade of Elementary School at the São Luís Municipal Elementary School in the city of São Vicente do Seridó-PB. As a result, it was noted that the students' performance was better in the post-test, and the students were motivated to solve the activities, which was a determining factor for the development of their skills.

Microfilm-Formation of High-Viscosity Liquids by Blade Shear Coating.

The distribution of high-viscosity microfilms in designated regions is crucial for the performance and durability of MEMS devices. This paper presents a novel method for controllable film formation in the milli/micron region by blade coating. A microfilm can be formed without viscosity limitation, and the formation process can be monitored only via a one-dimensional force sensor. The dynamics of the blade-coating process are analyzed in detail. The experimental results indicate that the initial height of the blade gap is the determining factor of film thickness, whereas the film length can be adjusted individually by the scratching speed without influence on film thickness. Moreover, the tangential force varies obviously in different coating parameters while exhibiting a similar trend.

ANALISIS TINJAUAN ATAU GAMBARAN EKONOMI MAKRO TERHADAP EKONOMI REGIONAL DAN NASIONAL

The economic structure, when viewed from the perspective of expenditure, will always be closely linked to Household and Corporate Consumption (C), Government Expenditure (G), Investment (I), and Exports-Imports (X – M). Consumption is divided into Household and Corporate/Industrial Consumption (C), which also includes consumption expenditures by non-profit institutions, as well as Government Consumption (Government Expenditure = G). These types of consumption are the most determining factors or play the most significant role in the economic conditions of a region (regional) and a country (national), typically accounting for about 70 percent of the Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) or Gross National Product (GNP) annually. Productive Investment (I) made by a region or country within the context of GRDP or GNP serves as a foundation for future steady income and acts as a multiplier effect factor, significantly influencing the increase in regional or national income. Productive investments are expected to contribute around 15 percent of GRDP. Similarly, Exports (X) should far exceed Imports (M) because when X significantly surpasses M, it can generate substantial foreign exchange or a surplus in the Balance of Payments (BoP). Conversely, if a region or country imports more than it exports, it will experience trade deficits, financial losses, a Passive Trade Balance, or a Negative Net Import Balance. Such a situation will greatly impact the regional or national economy, including an increase in debt, stagnation in the domestic economy and industries, and the bankruptcy of many businesses and industries. If productive investments are relatively high (around 40 percent of GRDP), this will positively boost the domestic industry, including large, medium, and small-scale manufacturing industries. Imports, which typically play a role of around 27 percent, also contribute significantly. A large population in a region or country serves as a very potential market share.

Cross-Section of Hypertensive Molecular Signaling Pathways: Understanding Pathogenesis and Identifying Improved Drug Targets.

Hypertension is a chronic medical state and a major determining factor for cardiovascular and renal diseases. Both genetic and non-genetic factors contribute to hypertensive conditions among individuals. The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) is a major genetic target for the anti-hypertension approach. The majority of classical antihypertensive drugs were mainly focused on the RAAS signaling pathways. Though these antihypertensive drugs control blood pressure (BP), they have mild to severe life-threatening effects. Unrevealing effective hypertensive targets for BP management is essential. The effective targets could emerge either from RAAS-dependent or RAAS-independent pathways and/or through the cross-talks among them. Analyzing the physiopathological mechanisms of hypertension has the benefit of understanding the interactions between these systems which helps in better understanding of drug targets and the importance of emergence of novel therapeutics. This review is about the signaling pathways involved in hypertension pathogenesis and their cross-talks and it contributes to a better understanding of the etiology of hypertension.

Healthcare-Seeking Behaviour of Elderly Indigenous Malayali Tribal Women in South India

Indigenous people inhabit forests and hilly regions and hereditarily follow certain healthcare beliefs and practices. This study explicitly focuses on the healthcare-seeking behaviour of elderly Malayali tribal women (MTW), with special emphasis on their knowledge, practices and use of indigenous plants, as well as their awareness of healthcare systems. The study aims to explore all aspects related to the health of elderly tribal women. For the purpose of this study, elderly MTW are defined as individuals above 60 years of age. The quota sampling method is employed, along with other characteristics. This phenomenological study utilizes methods including group discussions, interviews, field observations and informal meetings. The experiences of the participants were collected through in-depth interviews, analysed thematically to identify common patterns and interpreted to understand their healthcare-seeking behaviours within their cultural context. The study found that 60% of women above 70 years of age used medicinal plants. Formal literacy was not found to be a determining factor in the usage of medicinal and traditional knowledge. Illiterate elderly women possess more knowledge about traditional herbal medicines than their literate counterparts.

Physical properties of chlorophyll–quinone conjugates prepared via Friedel–Crafts reaction

Pheophytin-a derivatives possessing plastoquinone and phylloquinone analogs in the peripheral 3-substituent were prepared by Friedel–Crafts reactions of a 3-hydroxymethyl-chlorin as one of the chlorophyll-a derivatives with benzo- and naphthohydroquinones, respectively, and successive oxidation of the 1,4-dihydroxy-aryl groups in the resulting dehydration products. The 3-quinonylmethyl-chlorins exhibited ultraviolet–visible absorption and circular dichroism spectra in acetonitrile, which were composed of those of the starting 3-hydroxymethyl-chlorin and the corresponding methylated benzo- and naphthoquinones. No intramolecular interaction between the chlorin and quinone π-systems was observed in the solution owing to the methylene spacer. The first reduction potentials of the quinone moieties in the synthetic conjugates were determined by cyclic voltammetry and shifted positively from those of the reference quinones. The former quinonyl groups were reduced more readily by approximately 0.1 V than the latter quinones, which was ascribable to the stabilization of the quinonyl anion radical by the nearby macrocyclic chlorin π-chromophore. This observation implied that the reduction potentials of quinones were regulated by the close pheophytin-a derivative by through-space interaction. Considering the charge shift from pheophytin-a anion radical to plastoquinone and phylloquinone in reaction centers of photosystems II and I, respectively, the reduction potentials of these quinones as a determinant factor of the rapid electron transfer process would be dependent on the pheophytin-a in the photosynthetic reaction centers of oxygenic phototrophs as well as on the neighboring peptides.

A Systematic Study of the Structural Properties of Technical Lignins.

Technical lignins are globally available and a sustainable feedstock. The unique properties of technical lignins suggest that these materials should have several industrial applications. The main proposal of this study is to evaluate the relationship between the structure and properties of two technical lignins. Morphological, chemical, physical, and thermal properties of sodium lignosulfonate (LGNa) and magnesium lignosulfonate (LGMg) were investigated. The results showed that a higher formation of intramolecular hydrogen bonds may occur in lignins with a higher content of phenolic hydroxyl groups, such as LGMg. As a result, an increase in the energy of hydrogen bonds in the lignosulfonate structure was observed, without significant change in the hydrogen bond distances. In addition, higher content of phenolic hydroxyl groups might also reduce lignosulfonates thermal stability. The combustion index value was three times higher for LGMg than for LGNa. The characterization study also revealed that phenolic hydroxyl groups influence the main properties of technical lignins and can be a determining factor when these lignosulfonates are used in industrial applications.

Leaf Size Determines Damage- and Herbivore-Induced Volatile Emissions in Maize.

Stress-induced plant volatiles play an important role in mediating ecological interactions between plants and their environment. The timing and location of the inflicted damage is known to influence the quality and quantity of induced volatile emissions. However, how leaf characteristics and herbivore feeding behaviour interact to shape volatile emissions is not well understood. Using a high-throughput volatile profiling system with high temporal resolution, we examined how mechanical damage and herbivore feeding on different leaves shape plant-level volatile emission patterns in maize. We then tested feeding patterns and resulting consequences on volatile emissions with two generalist herbivores (Spodoptera exigua and Spodoptera littoralis), and assessed whether feeding preferences are associated with enhanced herbivore performance. We found maize seedlings emit more volatiles when larger leaves are damaged. Larger leaves emitted more volatiles locally, which was the determining factor for higher plant-level emissions. Surprisingly, both S. exigua and S. littoralis preferentially consumed larger leaves, and thus maximize plant volatile emission without apparent growth benefits. Together, these findings provide an ecophysiological and behavioural mechanism for plant volatile emission patterns, with potentially important implications for volatile-mediated plant-environment interactions.

How does financial development affect labour productivity in China? The role of fintech investment

Financial capital flow is an essential part of the national economy system and human resource capital. In this paper, we identify that financial development is an important determinant factor of productivity growth and can affect productivity through financial technology (fintech) investment. By constructing a multi-province, cross-year dataset in China from 2011 to 2021, this paper empirically investigates how fintech investment plays a role in the association between financial development and labour productivity. By examining the paths and possible association between them, we observed that the effect of finance on labour productivity is not reinforced by fintech investment in wealthier region. However, in less developed provinces, fintech investment, as represented by R&D expenditures in financial sector and the digital finance index, does the financial sector’s function in driving productivity growth. Financial development can contribute to increased technology investment in the financial sector, especially in digital finance, which, in turn, contributes to labour productivity in relatively poorer provinces more than in richer ones. Therefore, the government should formulate a finance-related development strategy targeting poorer provinces to stimulate fintech investment and boosts productivity growth.

Determinants and key indicators of concussion in combat sport athletes: a systematic review

Introduction: Combat sport athletes are more likely to suffer concussions because one of the goals is to knock out an opponent and apply blows during the fight. Objective: To analyze the mechanisms of concussion specific to combat sports and identify the most prevalent signs and symptoms that affect athletes after concussion. Methods: The PRISMA protocol was applied, searches were performed in electronic databases using the descriptors: Athletes, Fighting, Martial Arts, Combat Sports, Concussion, Brain Concussion, Traumatic Brain Injury, Physical Symptoms and Motivational Symptoms. The identification and peer selection process were performed using the Rayyan software. We then extracted the articles which met the eligibility criteria for qualitative analysis, using the Risk of Bias Used for Surveys tool. Results: A total of 912 articles were identified, 90 duplicates and 81 bibliographic reviews, leaving 65 articles for reading the abstracts. Of these, 46 were excluded according to the eligibility criteria, including 19 articles. Regarding exposure to concussion, 70.2% were related to the number of fights performed and 29.8% fighters. The sports modalities were 45.5% MMA, 18.2% boxing, 9.1% taekwondo, 9.1% karate and 9.1% kickboxing. The injuries found were divided into 27.2% traumatic brain injury and 72.8% concussion. According to the signs and symptoms identified, 55.2% were physical and 44.8% motivational. Conclusion: The frequency of fights is a determining factor for the incidence of concussions in combat sport athletes and the post-concussion symptoms showed significant physical and motivational manifestations, which represent barriers to the technical-tactical development of athletes.

Comprehensive analysis of determining factors of the effective work function of TiAlC/TiN metal gates for advanced gate-all-around CMOS integration

Abstract We have examined the determining factor of the effective work function (EWF) for an n-channel MOSFET (n-type EWF) in TiAlC/TiN metal gates on high-k gate dielectrics (HK). From electrical and physical evaluations of the bottom TiN between HK and TiAlC (BTM-TiN), the obtained results suggest that the dominant factor for the n-type EWF of TiAlC/TiN metal gates is not the fixed charge in the gate dielectric but the vacuum work function of BTM-TiN. It was found that TiN with low oxygen content has a vacuum work function of 3.8 eV, suitable for an n-channel MOSFET although TiN has been believed to be suitable for a p-channel MOSFET. We also found that its vacuum work function increases with increasing oxygen content. Based on these results, we proposed an oxygen scavenging from BTM-TiN(O) by Al in TiAlC as a novel mechanism for the n-type EWF for TiAlC/TiN metal gates.

The impact of perceived insecurity on attracting foreign direct investment in Mexico

There are different aspects that foreign investors take into account when deciding where to invest their money, among them are location, natural resources, stability, and security. Mexico has been a country that has received large flows due to its important location and thanks to the natural resources it has, but unfortunately, insecurity has been a determining factor for these flows to decrease and move to new places. It should be noted that in the last two decades, insecurity has become a serious problem for the federal government since the presidency of Vicente Fox, until the current administration. The purpose of this research is to find out if the perception of insecurity causes less investment attraction. With data obtained from the Ministry of Economy, we constructed a database that includes the flows of new investments divided by the 8 regions established by the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI), an institutional body in charge of conducting national censuses per year. Once the percentages of the public safety perception index and investment flows were related, we calculated the correlation coefficient between the two variables. This research was constructed based on the public safety perception index developed by the INEGI. This institution has conducted this survey since 2011 of the population aged 18 years and older by state between March and April of each year. The years used for the research were from 2019 to 2023, due to the change of government from that year. We obtained that the regions with a positive coefficient were the Northeast (0.022753824), West (0.176961292), North Central (0.348370972), East (0.62473457), Southwest (0.02064411), and Southeast (0.470923432), so it can be proved that the perception of insecurity influences the reduction of foreign direct investment flows.

The Influence of Healthy Lifestyle on Willingness to Consume Healthy Food Brands: A Perceived Value Perspective.

This paper aims to build a predictive model that assesses how a healthy lifestyle affects different dimensions of perceived value (quality, social value, emotional value, and economic value) and how these dimensions impact the willingness to purchase healthy brands. A quantitative, non-experimental, and cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 515 participants. A self-administered questionnaire was used, and the data were analyzed using the PLS-SEM method. The findings indicate that a healthy lifestyle positively influences the perception of quality and the social, emotional, and economic value of healthy brands. However, only perceived quality, social value, and emotional value significantly impacted the willingness to purchase, while economic value did not show a relevant effect. It is concluded that a healthy lifestyle is a determining factor in the perception of the value of healthy foods, which reinforces the purchase intention, except for economic value. These findings suggest that companies should prioritize strategies that reinforce the quality and emotional and social connections of their products to encourage the consumption of healthy brands. This study contributes theoretically to the perceived value model in emerging markets and provides practical implications for designing more effective marketing strategies in the Peruvian context.

Impact of Early Childhood Malnutrition on Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Young Adults from Marginalized Areas of Chiapas, Mexico.

The presence of malnutrition in early life is a determining factor in the onset of metabolic alterations and chronic diseases in adults. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the impact of malnutrition in early childhood with the presence of cardiometabolic risk factors in adulthood in marginalized populations from Chiapas, Mexico. The present investigation was based on a prospective cohort study that began in 2002, with young adults aged 18 to 25 years belonging to De Los Bosques region in Chiapas, Mexico. Sociodemographic, anthropometric, clinical and biochemical data were obtained in adulthood. Binary logistic regression models with 95% confidence intervals were fitted to assess the association between nutritional status in childhood (≤5 years of age) and cardiometabolic risk in adulthood. Individuals with overweight/obesity in childhood were more likely to have overweight/obesity (OR = 2.65, 95% CI: 1.09-6.45), high waist circumference (3.78, 95% CI: 1.55-9.24), high waist to height ratio (OR = 5.38, CI 95%: 1.60-18.10), elevated total cholesterol (OR = 3.95, 95% CI: 1.36-11.43) and metabolic syndrome (OR = 4.71, 95% CI: 1.49-14.90) in adulthood. In conclusion, malnutrition presented in early childhood increased the probability of developing cardiometabolic alterations in young adults from southern Mexico.