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Improving monthly precipitation forecasting with GRU-LSTM model in Turkey /
No full textProtecting lives and property in Turkey requires reliable precipitation forecasts due to the country's susceptibility to extreme weather events like heavy precipitation, flash floods, and typhoons. On the other hand, Predictions enable officials to implement preventive actions and alert the community. Hence, researching forecasting precipitation in Turkey is essential. This research uses two combined deep learning hybrid models of Convolutional Neural Network, Long Short-Term Memory (CNN-LSTM), and Gated Recurrent Units-Long Short-Term Memory (GRU-LSTM) to predict the monthly precipitation of Istanbul and Konya between 2000 to 2023. From the research results, it can be concluded that the GRU-LSTM model is generally better than the CNN-LSTM model in monthly forecasting
Schroth metodo veiksmingumo palyginimas su kitomis nechirurginėmis idiopatinės skoliozės intervencijomis: sisteminė literatūros apžvalga.
No full textBackground: Idiopathic scoliosis(IS) is a three-dimensional complex spinal deformity that affects spinal alignment, posture, as well as musculoskeletal function, affecting 2 4% of the world globally. Traditional interventions such as bracing as well as surgery, but the Schroth Method, which is a conservative physiotherapy approach, has gained recognition for managing scoliosis by improving respiratory function, pain relief, spinal curvature, and quality of life. Objective: It evaluates the efficacy of the Schroth method with other non-surgical interventions for idiopathic scoliosis. It compares Schroth therapy with other non-surgical interventions, such as bracing, general physiotherapy, and yoga-based approaches, to determine its impact on Cobb angle reduction, pain management, and postural correction. Methods: This systematic literature search was conducted across databases and these include Pub Med, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library. Inclusion criteria helps to select studies, focusing on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and cohort studies by evaluating the Schroth Method’s effectiveness. Data extraction as well as bias assessment followed PRISMA guidelines. Results: The results highlight that Schroth therapy reduces the Cobb angle significantly as well as enhances postural stability, improves respiratory function, along with reducing pain. Psychological benefits for example improved self-image along with betterment in quality of life were also observed. Combining Schroth therapy with bracing or balance training yielded superior outcomes. Variations in study design as well as patient adherence pose limitations. Conclusion: The Schroth Method effectively improves spinal alignment and functional outcomes in idiopathic scoliosis. Compared to other non-surgical treatments, it requires more research through long-term RCTs to confirm sustained efficacy and standardize protocols
Injuries in mixed martial arts after adoption of the unified rules of MMA: a systematic review /
No full textBackground: The existing literature on injuries in mixed martial arts (MMA) is sparse and lacks a summarized review of injuries in the sport after the adoption of the new rule set in 2009. Purpose: To assess the injury characteristics in terms of injury rates and types in MMA after the adoption of the Unified Rules of MMA (URM) by the Association of Boxing Commissions and compare them with preadoption trends. Study design: Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Under PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines, primary literature in English examining injuries in MMA after URM adoption was scanned in Medline, Embase, and PubMed from the inception of these databases until December 27, 2023. Reports providing relevant information on injury rates and characteristics, with data solely on MMA athletes rather than in a combination of athletes from other combat sports, were reviewed and analyzed. In total, 191 reports were identified after the initial search. Descriptive statistics were employed to summarize injury rates, types, and locations, as well as variations across subgroups. Results: A total of 43 reports were included in the analysis. The reports varied widely in design, injury definitions, and data collection methods. Post-URM competition injury rates ranged from 23.6 to 54.5 injuries per 100 athlete-exposures (AEs), with soft tissue injuries (lacerations/abrasions/contusions) being the most common type of injury (20.7%-56.9% of all injuries). The most common location of injury was the head and neck area (29.5%-75.9% of all injuries). Concussion rates varied from 14.7 to 16.1 per 100 AEs, and heavier fighters experienced more knockouts and technical knockouts. There is some evidence suggesting higher injury rates among professional fighters. Conclusion: The review demonstrated that the most common injuries reported in MMA athletes are soft tissue injuries including lacerations, abrasions, and contusion mainly in the head and neck area. Professional athletes seem to have higher injury rates than amateur athletes, while heavier weight fighters sustain more knockouts and technical knockouts. Current injury rates and types seem to remain similar to those before the adoption of the URM. Analysis of current literature emphasizes a lack of standardized definitions, data on training injuries, and female injuries, which are required to fully evaluate injury characteristics in MMA and ensure the long-term well-being of those participating in the sport
Exercise-induced extracellular vesicles delay tumor development by igniting inflammation in an immunologically cold triple-negative breast cancer mouse model /
No full textBackground Preclinical studies demonstrate that exercise reduces tumor incidence and growth. Rapid release of extracellular vesicles (EVs) during exercise suggests their potential role as mediators of exercise-induced systemic effects and physiological adaptation. This study investigated the impact of exercise-induced plasma EVs on tumor growth and immune tumor microenvironment in murine models of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC): EO771 (a C57BL/6-derived TNBC cell line) and 4T1 (a BALB/c-derived TNBC cell line). Methods Size exclusion chromatography was used to isolate exercise-induced EVs from plasma of healthy female mice (BALB/c and C56BL/6, n = 30 per strain) that underwent ten 30-min moderate-intensity treadmill running sessions over 2 weeks. Nanoparticle tracking analysis, Western blot, and electron microscopy confirmed the presence of EVs in the samples. Tumor-bearing mice (n = 72 per strain) were administered with exercise-induced EVs before or/and after tumor implantation. Local and systemic immune responses were assessed using flow cytometry, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Results Administration of exercise-induced EVs, particularly before tumor implantation, significantly suppressed tumor growth and reduced tumor burden in both TNBC models. In EO771, endpoint tumor volumes were 278–330 mm³ in treated groups compared to 799 mm³ in untreated (p < 0.0001), while in 4T1, treated groups showed volumes of 287–564 mm³ vs. 696 mm³ in untreated (p = 0.0002). Notable differences in tumor-infiltrating lymphoid and myeloid cell subpopulations indicated immunomodulatory effects of exercise-induced EVs, particularly in the 4T1 model, where their continuous administration significantly increased intratumoral cluster of differentiation 8 (CD8) T lymphocyte proportion (5.77% vs. 0.90% in untreated, p < 0.0001). Similarly, in the EO771 model, exercise-induced EVs administered before tumor implantation led to a marked rise in intratumoral CD8 T lymphocytes (2.24% vs. 1.08% in untreated, p = 0.0181). Conclusion Our findings indicate that exercise-induced EV treatment elicits a pro-inflammatory antitumor immune response, suggesting a shift of immunologically cold TNBC tumors towards a more inflamed phenotype associated with better outcomes. Our study supports the further investigation of EVs as modulators of antitumor immunity and their potential utility in enhancing the efficacy of immunotherapy
Impact of preoperative pelvic floor muscle strength and endurance on urinary continence after radical prostatectomy: A sub-analysis of a randomized clinical trial /
No full textIntroduction To assess the impact of preoperative pelvic floor muscle (PFM) strength on urinary incontinence (UI) after radical prostatectomy (RP). Material and methods A total of 127 men who underwent surgical treatment for clinically localized prostate cancer in a tertiary university hospital were included in a sub-analysis. PFM strength (cmH2 O) and endurance (s) were measured using a perineometer on the day before and at 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery. UI volume was measured using an 8-hour pad test. The primary outcome was continence, defined as 0–5 grams of urine during the 8-hour pad test at 6 months post-RP. The association between baseline PFM strength and continence was analyzed using Spearman’s correlation coefficient, receiveroperating characteristic analysis, and logistic regression analysis. Results At 6 months post-RP, 45 of 127 (35.4%) men were continent. UI showed a strong negative (r = –0.7; p <0.001) association with preoperative PFM strength and a medium negative (r = –0.55; p <0.001) association with PFM endurance. PFM strength (odds ratio [OR] = 1.16, p <0.0001), PFM endurance (OR 1.6, p <0.0001), and preoperative prostate-specific antigen (OR = 0.87, p = 0.03) were the most significant predictors of continence in the univariate regression analysis. In the multivariate analysis, only PFM strength remained a significant predictor (OR = 1.13, p <0.001) of UI. The thresholds for PFM endurance and strength were 9.6 seconds and 98.9 cmH2 O, respectively. Conclusions Preoperative PFM strength and endurance demonstrated significant associations with postoperative UI. Objectively measured preoperative PFM conditions could help identify patients at increased risk of UI after RP
A study on the priorities of Lithuanian sports fans in choosing sports content online.
No full textLife without the internet is unimaginable in today's world. According to Statista (2024), as many as 5.45 billion people worldwide use the internet, accounting for two-thirds of the global population. The vast majority of organizations today use the internet to maintain connections with consumers, build, and nurture their brand image (Špučys & Ūsas, 2023). Online content is also one of the most crucial elements in the sports industry. The growing consumption of sports content online provides sports marketing professionals with opportunities to use it as a key component of their marketing strategy. In this era of social media and modern digital platforms, online sports consumption plays a vital role in the continued success of sports franchises. Sports managers must understand the key consumer priorities and motivational factors influencing the choice of sports content to develop effective marketing and management strategies (Kim & Mao, 2021). Consumer behavior is influenced by information search, choice evaluation, and emotional connection. The consumption of sports content online is driven by digitalization, team attachment, and the FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) effect. Relevant and constantly updated content is essential for user engagement. Consumers choose sports content based on its quality, emotional connection, technological solutions, and marketing strategies. The key factors are relevance, reliability, ease of access, and a sense of community. The technical aspect of the content must be of the highest quality. Lithuanian sports fans primarily choose reliable, well-known, engaging, and relevant sources. The most commonly preferred types of content include analyses, interviews with prominent sports figures, match reports, and podcasts hosted by their favorite presenters. The key motivations for consuming sports content are curiosity, relevance, and the desire to deepen their knowledge of sports and broaden their perspectives. Specialized sports news websites and social media platforms serve as the primary channels for content consumption. Expanding coverage of lower-tier sports leagues and improving the technical quality of content could further enhance user satisfaction
The evaluation of the traveller as a consumer of a tourism service.
No full textResearch problem: The case of the traveler as a service user in Lithuania is not assessed. The purpose of the work - evaluate the traveler as a consumer of the tourism service. Work tasks: 1. To analyse the main differences between tourists, sightseers and travellers, their motives for travelling and their needs for tourism services; 2. Discuss what internal and external factors influence travellers' choices and emotional experiences during their trips; 3. Identify the main objectives, motives and criteria for travellers to choose a trip. Research methods: 1. Analysis of scientific literature 2. Statistical analysis 3. Questionnaire survey The most important results of the study: 1. A consumer of tourism services is a person who uses a tourism service for the purposes of recreation, entertainment, personal development and learning about other cultures. Travellers differ in terms of how long they travel, their motives and preferences, such as: the tourist looking for a quality experience, the sightseer focusing on cost-effective day trips, and the traveller looking to relax and experience something new. 2. A traveller is a person who travels for a variety of reasons, such as: new experiences, relaxation, escape from routine, learning about another culture. Their choices are influenced by the opinions of their relatives, social networks and emotions. Travellers' behaviour often changes as a result of emerging technologies, new trends or demographic factors. 3. The results of the study showed that travellers are most interested in relaxation, new experiences and new cultures when travelling. Women value the emotional aspect more, while men are more inclined towards extreme experiences on the road. Older travellers tend to value tranquillity, while younger travellers are looking for different challenges. Those with higher levels of education are more likely to travel for leisure, while those with lower levels of education are more likely to travel according to others' wishes
Psichinio nuovargimo poveikis informacijos išsaugojimui.
No full textBackground: Cognitive fatigue results from prolonged mental exertion, affecting information learning, memory consolidation, and retention. It impairs attention, slows cognitive processing, and disrupts neural mechanisms essential for encoding and retrieving information. Understanding its effects on short-term and long-term memory is crucial for enhancing learning efficiency, improving cognitive performance, and developing strategies to mitigate fatigue-related impairments. Objective: This study aims to assess the impact of cognitive fatigue on information learning and memory retention, examining its effects on motor, visual, and auditory information storage over different timeframes. Methods: A randomized controlled study is conducted with two groups of healthy adults (aged 19-35): a control group (without cognitive fatigue) and an experimental group (undergoing a 2-hour Go/No-Go cognitive fatigue test). Participants are complete cognitive assessments, including the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT), Code Substitution Learning (CDS), and Code Substitution Delayed (CDD) tests. Motor learning tasks performed using the DPA-1 movement analyzer. Retests is conducted 24 hours and 7 days post-training to evaluate memory retention and recovery. Results: For motor learning retention in a stable task, fatigued participants showed improved reaction time after 7 days, indicating no long-term negative effects, whereas the control group exhibited significant improvements in time to maximal speed (p = 0.026), suggesting better performance with rest. For a variable motor task, the experimental group experienced a significant decrease in average speed after 7 days (p 0.05). Conclusion: 1. In the stable motor control task, no long-term negative effect of fatigue on motor skill retention was observed in the experimental group; however, the control group demonstrated improvement over time. 2. In the variable motor control task, fatigue negatively affected the average speed across 7 days in the experimental group, whereas the control group showed improvements in both speed and accuracy after 24 hours. 3. Visual and auditory memory performance did not show significant changes in either group, suggesting no notable effect of fatigue on these memory domains
The associations between psychosocial factors at work and disordered eating behaviors among office workers.
No full textResearch problem: Contemporary office work is becoming increasingly exhausting due to technological progress, competition with artificial intelligence, and long sedentary work hours. These conditions may affect the psychosocial factors experienced by employees in the work environment and opposite. Such experiences may manifest in health behavior and lead to disordered eating. Although numerous studies have examined psychosocial factors, office-based work, and dietary patterns, there is a lack of research that reveals the associations between psychosocial work factors experienced by office workers and characteristics (disorders) of their eating behavior. Aim of the study: To examine the associations between psychosocial work factors and dietary patterns among office workers in Lithuania. Objectives: 1. Assess psychosocial work factors (job demands, job control, job role, workplace relationships, organizational changes, managerial and coworker support) among office workers and determine gender differences. 2. To assess the lifestyle characteristics of office workers and compare them by gender. 3. To evaluate the prevalence of disordered eating behaviors (cognitive restraint, uncontrolled eating, and emotional eating) among office workers and identify gender differences. 4. To evaluate the associations between psychosocial work factors and disordered eating behaviors among office workers. Hypotheses: 1.Individuals experiencing negative psychosocial work factors are more likely to exhibit disordered eating behaviors. 2. Women are more prone to disordered eating than men. Research method: Single-point epidemiological stud. Survey was carried out to collect data on psychosocial work factors and their influence on dietary patterns among office workers. A convenience sample was selected (N=382). The questionnaire consisted of four parts: demographic questions, the UK HSE Work Stress Assessment Questionnaire, the TFEQ-18-V2 questionnaire on disordered eating behavior, and a questionnaire assessing harmful habits and lifestyle. Correlation analyses between variables revealed statistically significant differences at p < 0.05. 7 Results: Psychosocial work factors among office workers showed statistically significant, though weak, negative associations with disordered eating behaviors. More favorable evaluations of job demands, coworker support, workplace relationships, clarity of job role, and change management were associated with lower levels of uncontrolled, cognitive, and emotional eating. The results indicate that a more favorable psychosocial work environment may be linked to healthier eating behavior. Conclusions: 1. The results showed that office workers had the clearest perception of their job role. Coworker support was also positively evaluated. The lowest scores were observed in the area of job demands. Slightly lower scores were also given to change management. Managerial support, job control, and workplace relationships were rated as average. Women rated job demands, coworker support, workplace relationships, and job role clarity more positively than men. However, there were no statistically significant gender differences in the assessment of job control, managerial support, or change management. 2.Among women, fewer were smokers, and more reported longer sleep duration and physical activity than men. The frequency of alcohol consumption did not differ significantly between genders, while self-assessed health was slightly better among men (though not statistically significant). Poorer health ratings among women were associated with higher workload, lower control, weaker coworker support, and worse workplace relationships. In the male group, health correlated with job demands, control, and coworker support. Men’s physical activity was associated with better health and more favorable evaluations of working conditions. Among women, subjective health significantly correlated with all forms of eating behavior—better health was linked to lower levels of uncontrolled, cognitive, and emotional eating. In both gender groups, sleep duration was related to eating behavior— shorter sleep was associated with poorer dietary control. 3. All three types of disordered eating— uncontrolled eating, cognitive restraint, and emotional eating—were found to be expressed at a moderate level. Emotional eating was the most prominent. No significant gender differences were found in eating behavior characteristics. 4. Psychosocial work factors among office workers showed statistically significant, though weak, negative associations with disordered eating behaviors. Job demands, coworker support, workplace relationships, job role clarity, and change management were associated with lower expression of uncontrolled, cognitive, and emotional eating. These associations were evident in the overall sample but were more frequent and stronger in the male group
Po rungtynių atliekamų mobilumo pratimų vaidmens raumenų atsistatymui ir traumų prevencijai futbolininkams analizė.
No full textBackground: Football players experience significant physical demands, leading to muscular fatigue, microtrauma, and increased injury risk. Effective recovery strategies are crucial for maintaining performance and reducing injuries. While passive methods like rest and cryotherapy are common, active recovery techniques, particularly post-game mobility exercises, have gained attention. These exercises incorporate dynamic stretching, joint mobilization, and controlled articular rotations to enhance recovery. Despite their growing use, their effectiveness in football remains underexplored. This study examines the role of post game mobility exercises in muscle recovery and injury prevention. Objectives: To evaluate the impact of post-game mobility exercises on (1) muscle soreness (VAS), (2) lower-body flexibility (ROM), and (3) perceived fatigue (RPE). Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among competitive male football players (18–35 years) who played weekly matches. Participants followed a structured post game mobility exercise protocol. Outcomes were assessed using validated tools: the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for soreness, range of motion (ROM) for the hip, knee, and hamstring flexibility, and the Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale. Results: Mobility exercises significantly improved hamstring flexibility (+15.09°; 21.8%), hip ROM (+12.58°; 13.6%), and knee ROM (+12.49°; 10.6%). Muscle soreness (VAS) decreased by 4.02 points (62.3%), while perceived exertion (RPE) dropped by 3.82 points (49.0%).A statistically significant but weak negative correlation (r = –0.169, p = 0.028) was found between the reduction in muscle soreness and the improvement in hamstring flexibility, suggesting that athletes who experienced greater soreness relief also showed better recovery in hamstring extensibility. No statistically significant correlations were found between changes in muscle soreness and changes in hip or knee joint range of motion. These findings support mobility exercises in reducing tightness, restoring joint function, alleviating pain, and enhancing recovery. Conclusions: Incorporating post-game mobility exercises can optimize muscle recovery, improve flexibility, and may reduce injury risk in football players. These findings highlight the importance of active recovery strategies in maintaining athletic performance and preventing injuries. Further studies should explore long-term benefits and variations in mobility protocols