Fitness Score Research Articles

Health and Wellness Characteristics of Employees Enrolled in a Workplace Wellness Study in the United Arab Emirates: A Descriptive Analysis of a Pilot Study.

Modifiable health behaviors have the power to increase (or decrease) the risk of chronic diseases, impacting a population's health. Health and wellness programs can potentially play a major role in initiating and supporting positive changes in health behaviors, which may lead to reducing the risk of premature mortality. A better understanding of the health and well-being status of the population is crucial to the design of proper and effective interventions. This pilot study aimed to describe the health and well-being status of a cohort of employees in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This pilot study reports the demographic characteristics, body composition, cardiovascular fitness, functional fitness, biological age, and well-being of employees from a large health sector company enrolled in a workplace wellness study in the UAE. Employees were invited to participate in an intervention that was designed to validate the efficacy of weekly health and wellness challenges. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the employees' distribution. Of the 123 selected, 116 employees participated in the study. The mean age of participants was 39.2 years old, 80% of them were non-Emirati, and the majority were from Middle-Eastern and South Asian ethnicities. The prevalence of overweight, obesity, hypercholesterolemia, hyperlipidemia, prediabetes, and diabetes was 35%, 29%, 34%, 79%, 30%, and 7%, respectively. Almost half of the participants (47%) were prehypertensive for systolic blood pressure (BP), 80% had the fitness category of poor-very poor, and the majority (60%) reported exercising <150 minutes/week. The mean functional fitness score was 12.2 points, which indicated an increased risk of injury with physical activity. The findings of this pilot study suggest that despite the advancements in healthcare in the UAE, several key preventable risk factors are still prevalent in its population. The introduction of comprehensive health and wellness programs at a broader scale holds the potential to facilitate the adoption of healthier lifestyle behaviors, thereby contributing to improvements in the overall quality of life across the population.

Protein target similarity is positive predictor of in vitro antipathogenic activity: a drug repurposing strategy for Plasmodium falciparum

Drug discovery is an intricate and costly process. Repurposing existing drugs and active compounds offers a viable pathway to develop new therapies for various diseases. By leveraging publicly available biomedical information, it is possible to predict compounds’ activity and identify their potential targets across diverse organisms. In this study, we aimed to assess the antiplasmodial activity of compounds from the Repurposing, Focused Rescue, and Accelerated Medchem (ReFRAME) library using in vitro and bioinformatics approaches. We assessed the in vitro antiplasmodial activity of the compounds using blood-stage and liver-stage drug susceptibility assays. We used protein sequences of known targets of the ReFRAME compounds with high antiplasmodial activity (EC50 < 10 uM) to conduct a protein-pairwise search to identify similar Plasmodium falciparum 3D7 proteins (from PlasmoDB) using NCBI protein BLAST. We further assessed the association between the compounds' in vitro antiplasmodial activity and level of similarity between their known and predicted P. falciparum target proteins using simple linear regression analyses. BLAST analyses revealed 735 P. falciparum proteins that were similar to the 226 known protein targets associated with the ReFRAME compounds. Antiplasmodial activity of the compounds was positively associated with the degree of similarity between the compounds’ known targets and predicted P. falciparum protein targets (percentage identity, E value, and bit score), the number of the predicted P. falciparum targets, and their respective mutagenesis index and fitness scores (R2 between 0.066 and 0.92, P < 0.05). Compounds predicted to target essential P. falciparum proteins or those with a druggability index of 1 showed the highest antiplasmodial activity.

Comparing Two Deep-Learning Models in Discrete Choice Analysis of Customers’ Mobile Plan Preferences

A discrete choice experiment (DCE) was used to investigate students’ preferences for mobile phone plans at a South African university. Upon obtaining the data, this study compares the predictive performance of two machine-learning models for discrete choice analysis and makes recommendations for model selection. Using concepts from blocked fractional factorial designs, a locally optimal DCE was created for the choice sets. This contrasts with alternative ways that, in practice, could be more difficult, especially when there is a large number of attributes. The call rate, data speed, customer service, premiums, and network coverage were the features considered. A total of 180 respondents were chosen from the student population using a two-stage sample approach, and data were gathered through face-to-face interviews. In this study, two deep-learning models are examined to analyze the data, which are the artificial neural network (ANN) and the extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) models. Root mean square error (RMSE) and mean absolute error (MAE) are used to assess the model fitness, while accuracy, precision, recall and F1 score were used to compare the models’ performance. The results showed that XGBoost performs better compared to ANN in model fitness and prediction. Thus, the use of the XGBoost deep-learning model in choice preference modeling is therefore encouraged.

Exploring the antimicrobial activity of Origanum majorana L. against the highly virulent multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii AB5075: UPLC-HRMS profiling with in vitro and in silico studies

BackgroundThe infamous multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterium Acinetobacter baumannii is becoming a nightmare in intensive care units across the globe. Since there are now very few effective antimicrobial agents, it is necessary to explore unconventional resources for novel antimicrobials. This study investigated the potential antimicrobial activity of Origanum majorana L. against A. baumannii employing multiple approaches including antimicrobial susceptibility, fractionation, ultra-performance liquid chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC-HRMS) dereplication, and in silico analysis for target/ligand identification.ResultsOn the extremely pathogenic MDR strain A. baumannii AB5075, O. majorana L. has shown a significant growth inhibitory effect (MIC = 0.675 mg/mL). The polar 50% methanol fraction was the most active (MIC = 0.5 mg/mL). The UPLC-HRMS dereplication of the bioactive fraction detected 29 metabolites belonging to different chemical classes. Justicidin B, one of the identified metabolites, was projected by preliminary in silico analysis to be the most highly scoring metabolite for binding with molecular targets in A. baumannii with a Fit score = 8.56 for enoyl-ACP reductase (FabI) (PDB ID: 6AHE), suggesting it to be its potential target. Additionally, docking, molecular dynamics simulation, and bioinformatics analysis suggested that this interaction is similar to a well-known FabI inhibitor. The amino acids involved in the interaction are conserved among different MDR A. baumannii strains and the effectiveness could extend to Gram-negative pathogens within the ESKAPE group.ConclusionsOriganum majorana L. extract exhibits antimicrobial activity against A. baumannii using one or more metabolites in its 50% methanol fraction. The characterized active metabolite is hypothesized to be justicidin B which inhibits the growth of A. baumannii AB5075 via targeting its fatty acid synthesis.

Pelvic Floor Disorders Among U.S. Military Active-Duty Females

Importance Women are a growing cohort within the U.S. military. Pelvic floor health is a component of health maintenance for which support needs vary by sex. The American Journal of Obstetrics &amp; Gynecology reports that 1 in 4 women is affected by moderate to severe pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD). Understanding the specific experience of female service members is warranted for health care optimization and preservation of force readiness. Objective We aimed to identify the prevalence, incidence, and risk factors associated with incident PFD in active-duty females during an 11-year window. Study Design We used the Medical Assessment and Readiness System at Womack Army Medical Center, which includes medical record and personnel data from 2011 to 2022. Pelvic floor dysfunction diagnoses were identified using diagnosis codes and analyzed with respect to demographic parameters. Results Between 2011 and 2022, 32,996 of 550,303 active-duty females were diagnosed with PFD (period prevalence: 6.00%). Using 2011–2012 as a washout period, 27,046 of 486,558 participants were diagnosed during 1,879,990.90 person-years of follow-up (incidence rate: 14.39 cases per 1,000 person-years). The incidence rate of PFD increased in both new and established active-duty females. Increasing time since service entry was the strongest, statistically significant independent predictor of PFD. Three or more deployments and specific physical fitness scoring were also predictors of PFD. Conclusions The incidence rate of PFD among female service members is increasing, and multiple military-specific factors predict PFD. As the percentage of women in active-duty service continues to grow, additional investigation is needed to confirm PFD trends, illuminate other predictors, and prevent adverse outcomes.

Assessment of nutritional status, physical fitness and physical activity of school going adolescents (12–15 years) in Delhi

BackgroundAdolescence is a distinct period that is crucial for setting the foundation for long-term health.ObjectiveTo assess the nutritional status, physical fitness, and physical activity of adolescents.MethodsThe present cross-sectional study recruited 100 adolescents purposively. Information regarding general profile and lifestyle-related factors was collected using a questionnaire. Anthropometric data such as height, weight, BMI, and body fat% were collected using appropriate equipment. Physical fitness was assessed using a battery adapted from FITNESSGRAM® and PAQ-A assessed the physical activity. Dietary intake was analysed using a 2-day 24-hour dietary recall.ResultThe study revealed, 19% of the participants were overweight and 6% were obese. The majority (74%) were physically inactive and 15% had high body fat %. There was lower consumption of energy, carbohydrates, iron, and calcium, than the recommendations. Also, physical activity scores were negatively associated with macronutrient intake and trunk lift (strength and flexibility) [p < 0.05]. Data showed lower physical fitness scores. BMI and hand-grip strength was positively correlated [p < 0.05]. Push Ups (endurance) and Standing Broad Jump (power) showed a negative correlation with body fat%. Tennis ball throw and PACER (cardiorespiratory fitness) were positively associated with protein intake. A multiple regression analysis significantly showed that a unit increase in cell phone usage increases body fat% by 11.64 units. Standing broad jump increases by 38.6 cm and decreases with 28.76 cm with a unit increase in playing outside and tuitions timings respectively.ConclusionPoor nutritional status, physical fitness, and physical activity were reported among adolescents. It is imperative to plan intervention strategies to improve the overall health of adolescents.

Intercorrelations among Hemoglobin Level, Physical Fitness, and Cognitive Score in Adolescent Girls: A Cross Sectional Study in Banggai District, Indonesia

Intercorrelations among Hemoglobin Level, Physical Fitness, and Cognitive Score in Adolescent Girls: A Cross Sectional Study in Banggai District, Indonesia

Structural insight into the binding mode of cefotaxime and meropenem to TEM-1, SHV-1, KPC-2, and Amp-C type beta-lactamases.

Antimicrobial resistance is an emerging threat to public health around the world. The study employs computational and biophysical methods to investigate the properties of cefotaxime and meropenem's binding to various beta-lactamases like TEM-1, SHV-1, KPC-2, and Amp-C. The enzyme kinetics of purified proteins revealed an increase in Michaelis constant (Km) value in the presence of meropenem and cefotaxime, indicating a decrease in enzyme affinity for nitrocefin. Proteins interact with meropenem/cefotaxime, causing quenching through complex formation. All proteins have one binding site, and binding constant (Kb) values are 104, indicating strong interaction. The study found that meropenem and cefotaxime had high fitness scores for Amp-C, KPC-2,TEM-1 and SHV-1, with binding energy ranging from -7.4 to -7.8, and hydrogen bonds between them. Molecular Dynamic simulation of protein-ligand complexes revealed cefotaxime-binding proteins have slightly lower Root Mean Square Deviation(RMSD) than meropenem-binding proteins, indicating stable association antibiotics with these proteins.

Association between Gross Motor Competence and Physical Fitness in Chilean Children Aged 4 to 6 Years.

The preschool period is considered critical for the development of motor competence, but as far as we know, no studies have investigated the association between motor competence and physical fitness in Chilean children. The aim of this study was to analyse the association between gross motor competence and physical fitness, controlling for possible confounding factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 144 preschool children (56.25% girls) with an average age of 5.3 years (4 to 6 years) from the Araucanía region, Chile. Motor competence was measured using the Children's Movement Assessment Battery, 2nd Edition (MABC-2). Regarding physical fitness, the components of cardiorespiratory fitness, lower body muscle strength and speed/agility were evaluated using the Battery to Assess FITness in PREschool (PREFIT). Partial correlation models and analysis of variance (ANCOVA) were used to assess differences in physical fitness between motor competence categories, controlling for age and body mass index. The mean fitness scores for cardiorespiratory fitness, lower body muscle strength and speed/agility components were significantly higher in children with higher gross motor competence. In terms of effect size, large values were found for the lower body strength component in model 1 for boys and in model 2 for the total samples of girls and boys. The results of this study suggest that good levels of gross motor competence are associated with better physical fitness levels.

Molecular Dynamic Simulation and 3d-pharmacophore Modeling of Alpha Mangostin and Its Derivatives against Estrogen Alpha Receptor

Background: Human estrogen receptor alpha (ERα), which is known to play a role in mediating cell proliferation, metastasis, and resistance to apoptosis, is one of the targets of breast cancer therapies. Alpha mangostin (AM) is an active xanthone compound from Garcinia mangostana L. which has activity as an ERα inhibitor. Objectives: This research aims to predict the pharmacokinetic and toxicity, and to study the molecular interactions of AM derivatives with the ERα using computer-aided simulation approaches through molecular docking, molecular dynamic, and pharmacophore screening to develop novel anti-breast cancer agents. Methods: Marvinsketch and Chimera programs were used to design and optimize the structure of AM and its derivatives. For screening the pharmacokinetic and toxicity profiles, the PreADMET web was used. The AutoDockTools 1.5.6 and LigandScout 4.4.3 Advanced software were used to conduct the molecular docking simulation and pharmacophore screening, respectively, while the molecular dynamic simulation was performed using AMBER 16. The results were visualized by Biovia Discovery Studio. Results: Molecular docking using Autodock showed that FAT10 derivate has lower binding free energy (ΔG) (-12.04 kcal/mol) than AM (-8.45 kcal/mol) when docking to ERα and both performed the same hydrogen bond with Thr347. These support the results of the MMPBSA calculation on dynamic simulation which shows FAT10 (-58.4767 kcal/mol) has lower ΔG than AM (-42.7041 kcal/mol) and 4-OHT (- 49.0821 kcal/mol). The pharmacophore screening results also showed that FAT10 fitted the pharmacophore with a fit score of 47.08. Conclusion: From the results, it can be suggested that FAT10 has promising activity as ERα antagonist. Further in vitro and in vivo experiments should be carried out to support these in silico studies.

Effectiveness of the Osaka “Ten-Year Rejuvenation” Project

Introduction: The “Ten-year rejuvenation project” is an initiative of the Osaka Prefectural Government to reduce the physical and mental age of residents in the prefecture by ten years and enable them to live in good health and vitality in preparation for the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan. Our team tested a “Ten-year rejuvenation dance” for elderly people with the goal of enhancing participants’ muscle strength and physical fitness and improving their cognitive function through memorizing the dance choreography. Method: Groups of around 30 participants each were recruited at 12 locations in Osaka prefecture and the Ten-year rejuvenation dance was practiced once per week over two months. Physical and mental tests carried out before and after participation were compared. Videos were also distributed so participants could dance at home in their free time. The dance program combines elements from physical therapy to improve joint flexibility, balance, muscle strength, and agility. Results: Physical fitness and cognitive scores were both significantly increased and physical tests showed that physical age was reduced by five to ten years. These results confirmed the meaningfulness of continuing this activity. Conclusion: Continued dancing demonstrated positive effects on mind and body, so we plan to increase video distribution to elderly people who cannot leave the house, expand the implementation area, and continue verification in the future.

Reinforcement Learning Algorithm to Optimize Players' Tactical Decisions and Round Planning in Tennis Matches

This paper explores the application of the Ranking Genetic Optimization Reinforcement Learning (RGORL) algorithm to optimize players' tactical decisions and round planning in tennis matches. Leveraging evolutionary principles and reinforcement learning techniques, RGORL offers a data-driven framework for enhancing on-court performance. Extensive simulations demonstrate the algorithm's effectiveness in improving match outcomes, points won percentages, and games won percentages. Results illustrate a steady improvement in fitness scores over successive generations, indicating RGORL's ability to evolve and refine strategies over time. Analysis of tactical decisions reveals the superiority of strategies such as the "Net Approach" in terms of win rates, points won percentages, and games won percentages. Through extensive simulations, RGORL demonstrates a notable improvement in match outcomes, with a maximum increase of 13% in win rates. Analysis of tactical decisions reveals significant enhancements in points won percentages, with improvements of up to 34% observed across various strategies, notably the "Net Approach." Furthermore, the algorithm achieves substantial gains in games won percentages, with increases of up to 25% recorded.

A tree-based extended model to predict intention to speed for taxi drivers

The need to predict and understand drivers’ intention to violate emphasizes the importance of developing a model based on the motives behind the action. This study aims to develop a model to predict a taxi driveŕs intention to speed in an urban area using variables including psychological factors, demographic information, and exposure. Aggregate (factor-based) and disaggregate (item-based) models of input variables will also be compared. In this study, the self-reported data on Tehran taxi drivers was collected in the form of a scenario-based questionnaire which is inspired by the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB). The intention to commit violations was predicted and modelled using stepwise regression and decision tree regression models. The results, based on the stepwise regression model showed a higher value of fitting score for an item-based linear model (R2 = 0.695), but the final model using the tree-based regression presented a better fit for the factored model (R2 = 0.746) considering the cross-validated model with the lowest deviation criteria (RMSD = 0.26). Furthermore, in this model attitude made the greatest contribution to the prediction of intention. The results obtained from the two different modelling approaches showed that exposure and age did not have much effect on the models. A main advantage of the current study is that the variables were compared and refined in two stages of exploratory factor analysis and stepwise regression before being entered into the tree regression model. In addition, the results of the factor-based model were compared with the item-based model.

The impact of seasonal variation on the composition of the volatile oil of Polyalthia suberosa (Roxb.) Thwaites leaves and evaluation of its acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity

BackgroundPolyalthia suberosa (Roxb.) Thwaites (Annonaceae) is a medicinal plant that has been reported for its various pharmacological potentials, such as its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant, and neuropharmacological activities. This study aimed to analyze the leaf essential oils of P. suberosa (PSLO) collected in different seasons, to evaluate the acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity, and to corroborate the obtained results via in-silico molecular docking studies.MethodsThe leaf essential oils of P. suberosa collected in different seasons were analyzed separately by GC/MS. The acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity of the leaves oil was assessed via colorimetric assay. In-silico molecular docking studies were elucidated by virtual docking of the main compounds identified in P. suberosa leaf essential oil to the active sites in human acetylcholinesterase crystal structure.ResultsA total of 125 compounds were identified where D-limonene (0.07 − 24.7%), α-copaene (2.25 − 15.49%), E-β-caryophyllene (5.17 − 14.42%), 24-noroleana-3,12-diene (12.92%), β-pinene (0.14 − 8.59%), and α-humulene (2.49–6.9%) were the most abundant components. Results showed a noteworthy influence of the collection season on the chemical composition and yield of the volatile oils. The tested oil adequately inhibited acetylcholinesterase enzyme with an IC50 value of 91.94 µg/mL. Additionally, in-silico molecular docking unveiled that palmitic acid, phytol, p-cymene, and caryophyllene oxide demonstrated the highest fitting scores within the active sites of human acetylcholinesterase enzyme.ConclusionsFrom these findings, it is concluded that P. suberosa leaf oil should be evaluated as a food supplement for enhancing memory.

Meaningful Work, Career Fit, and Professional Well-Being of Pediatric Academicians in the United States.

Examine associations between time spent in academic activities perceived as meaningful and professional well-being among academic pediatrics faculty. The sample comprised 248 full-time pediatric faculty (76% female, 81% white, non-Hispanic, 41% instructor or assistant professor) across the United States who completed an online survey in November 2019. Survey items included sociodemographic and professional characteristics, professional well-being measures (Stanford Professional Fulfillment Index; Maslach Burnout Inventory; Intention to Leave Academic Medicine), perceived meaningfulness of academic activities and assigned time to those activities. We defined global career fit as total percentage time assigned to professional activities considered meaningful by individuals, and activity-specific career fit as percentage time assigned to each meaningful professional activity. As global career fit scores increased, professional fulfillment increased (r = 0.45, P < .001), whereas burnout (r = -0.29, P < .001) and intention to leave (r = -0.22, P < .001) decreased. Regarding activity-specific career fit, for individuals who considered patient care meaningful, as assigned time to patient care increased, professional fulfillment decreased (r = -0.14, P = .048) and burnout (r = 0.16, P = .02) and intention to leave (r = 0.26, P < .001) increased. There was no significant correlation between assigned time for teaching, research, or advocacy and professional well-being. Faculty were less likely to intend to leave academic medicine as assigned time increased for administrative or leadership activities if considered meaningful (r = -0.24, P = .01). Time assigned to meaningful work activities may relate to professional well-being of academic pediatrics faculty. More time assigned to patient care, despite being meaningful, was associated with poor self-reported professional well-being. Effort allocation among diverse academic activities needs to be optimized to improve faculty well-being.

Effects of a single-day pre-academy physical test training session on physical fitness scores of police candidates.

Concerns are sometimes raised by police applicants undertaking physical fitness testing that they were unfamiliar with the test requirements which in turn negatively impacted their performance. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a single day physical test training session on physical fitness scores of police candidates. The sample consisted of female police candidates (n = 133) who attended a pre-academy training session. On the first day of pre-training, candidates' physical fitness was measured following official assessment day protocols. Measures included maximal handgrip strength, number of push-ups in 10 sec (PU), number of sit-ups in 30 sec (SU), standing long jump (SLJ), Abalakow jump test (AJ), 12 min Cooper running test (CT), and a motor educability test (ME). After the assessment, the overseeing UCIPS staff provided a detailed test skills briefing to candidates (e.g., common mistakes made during testing, how test performance could be improved, etc.). Immediately after the briefing, candidates performed the tests once again. Differences between results were measured using a paired samples t-test with significance set at 0.05. Paired sample t-tests determined significant (p < 0.001), large (Rank-Biserial Correlation = 1.00), improvements in physical fitness scores during the second assessment following familiarisation and feedback on test performance. Pre-academy training may be effective in improving candidates' physical fitness scores, in most tests, prior to the official assessment for the enrolment to police studies. Thus, to optimise initial candidate scores and opportunities for successful enlistment, police agencies may benefit from providing pre-assessment training.

A cross-sectional study of the association of dental health factors with progression and all-cause mortality in men diagnosed with HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer

BackgroundHuman Papillomavirus-associated oropharyngeal cancer (HPV-OPC) incidence is increasing among men in the United States. Poor dental health has previously been associated with risk of head and neck cancers, oral HPV infection, and persistence but it is not understood whether dental health is associated with outcomes. We sought to determine the association of dental health with progression free survival and overall mortality among men with an HPV-OPC.MethodsA cross sectional study of men diagnosed with HPV-OPC between 2014–2020 at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, FL was conducted. Dental records were abstracted for assessment of dental fitness prior to cancer treatment. Five dental factors including number of teeth lost, pocket depth, gingival score, loss of attachment, and bone loss were individually examined. Risk factor and outcome data were collected from a patient risk questionnaire and medical record. Using item response theory, an overall dental fitness score from five dental factors was developed in which missing data were multiply imputed. Cox proportional hazards model was used to assess whether dental factors were associated with progression-free survival or overall mortality.ResultsAmong 206 HPV-OPC cases, median follow-up was 3.4 years (IQR: 2.4–4.4) during which 40 cases involved progression or mortality and 25 deaths occurred. Overall dentition was significantly associated with progression free survival (p = 0.04) and with overall survival (p = 0.03) though findings were not significant after adjustment for age at diagnosis, stage, and smoking history (p = 0.146 and p = 0.120, respectively). A pocket depth of 7 mm or more was associated with overall survival (HR: 5.21; 95% CI: 1.43—19.11) and this remained significant after adjustment for confounding (aHR: 4.14; 95% CI: 1.72—16.26).ConclusionsAmong men diagnosed with an HPV-associated OPC in the US, worse dental health was associated with reduced progression free survival and overall survival, but not after adjustment for confounders. Further studies are needed to examine whether dental health is associated with other prognostic factors and subsequent treatment-related outcomes.

Longitudinal association between fitness and metabolic syndrome: a population-based study over 29 years follow-up

ObjectivesTo examine the longitudinal associations between fitness and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in community-dwelling adults over 29 years of follow-up.DesignOngoing, population-based cohort study of adults aged ≥ 33 years at baseline residing in the city of Bad Schönborn, Germany.MethodsThe sample comprised 89 persons (41 females; mean age 40.1 years at baseline) who participated at baseline (in the year 1992) and 29-years follow-up (in the year 2021). Fitness (predictor variable) was assessed using 15 standardized and validated tests that measured strength, gross motor coordination, mobility/ flexibility and cardiorespiratory fitness/ endurance, and a z-transformed fitness score was calculated for analysis. MetS (outcome of interest) was assessed through five criteria related to waist circumference, blood glucose, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood pressure, and a sum score was created for analysis. We ran partial correlations to examine the association between fitness score at baseline and MetS score at 29-years follow-up, adjusted for age, sex, socio-economic status, smoking status, sleep quality, and physical activity engagement in minutes/ week.ResultsA higher fitness score at baseline was significantly associated with a lower MetS score indicative of better metabolic health at 29-years follow-up (r=-0.29; p = 0.011). These associations were present in participants aged ≤ 40 years (r=-0.33; p = 0.025) as well as those aged > 40 years (r=-0.43; p = 0.045).ConclusionsFitness may be a predictor of longitudinal metabolic health, and potentially also mediates previously reported longitudinal associations between physical activity and metabolic health. More research is needed to confirm these observations, and to also explore underlying mechanisms.

Cluster-based multicast optimized routing in VANETs using elite knowledge-based genetic algorithm

The advancement of autonomous and driver-assistance technology has greatly improved the experience of driving. With the growing use of vehicles, there is a greater need for effective communication among them to ensure both applications in Vehicular Ad-hoc Networks (VANETs) for safety and non-safety. VANETs commonly prioritize multicast communication to efficiently use computational resources and achieve a desirable Quality of Service (QoS). However, the dynamic nature of VANETs, marked by high mobility and frequent topology changes, presents significant challenges in establishing and sustaining multicast communication. To ensure that sensing data from all target points is reliably sent to the base station, it is crucial to address the important factors of energy balancing, load balancing, connectivity, and coverage. These factors play a vital role in achieving a balanced and efficient transmission system. In this research paper, clustering-based multicast routing is proposed that utilizes an enhanced Genetic Algorithm Elite Knowledge Sharing Genetic Algorithm (EKSGA) to choose cluster heads. The EKSGA identifies the top 5 % performers with the highest fitness score and generates a new population by exchanging genetic information, aiming to establish a population with the greatest potential for optimal fitness. The performance assessment of the suggested protocol demonstrates significant enhancements in network lifetime and throughput compared to various existing protocols, including LEACH, DEEC, p-WOA, DDEEE, ECBLTR, and GA with improvements ranging from 2.4 % to 22 % in network lifetime and from 3.2 % to 23.2 % in throughput for a system consisting of 500 nodes with energy level set at 0.1 J for rounds 300. Additionally, the proposed approach utilizes the existing population to generate a more fit population, thereby reducing the need for excessive iterations and computational overhead.

Application of Using Improved Genetic Algorithm in Art Design

Art design encompasses the creative process of conceptualizing and crafting visual and aesthetic elements to convey messages, evoke emotions, and stimulate thought. It involves the deliberate selection and arrangement of colors, shapes, textures, and forms to create meaningful and impactful compositions across various mediums such as painting, sculpture, graphic design, and multimedia. This paper proposes an innovative approach to enhance art design through the application of an improved genetic algorithm (GA) coupled with Statistical Spider Swarm Optimization (SS-O). By integrating GA's evolutionary principles with the adaptive capabilities of SS-O, the proposed framework aims to optimize the generation of artistic compositions across various media. Through a series of experiments and simulations, the effectiveness of the hybrid algorithm is evaluated in terms of its ability to generate aesthetically pleasing designs while balancing artistic diversity and coherence. The improved GA component facilitates the exploration of diverse design solutions, while SS-O provides dynamic optimization capabilities by leveraging statistical analysis of swarm behavior. Simulation results demonstrate the efficacy of the approach, with generated designs achieving fitness scores ranging from 0.88 to 0.95, indicative of high aesthetic appeal. Moreover, the diversity index values ranging from 0.75 to 0.82 underscore the algorithm's ability to produce a varied range of artistic compositions. These numerical outcomes signify the potential of the proposed approach to revolutionize the creative process in art and design domains, offering new avenues for generating captivating visual expressions.