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The effects of balance training on physical fitness and skill-related performance in basketball players: a systematic review
Full text linkBackground: Existing evidence suggests that balance training (BT) has a positive impact on physical fitness and sports performance. However, its specific effects on basketball players have not been extensively studied. Therefore, this systematic review aims to analyze the influence of BT on the physical fitness and skill-related performance of basketball players. Method: A thorough search was conducted across four databases (Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and EBSCOhost) for studies published until August 24, 2024, using keywords related to BT and basketball. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the “Qualsyst” tool. Results: Thirteen studies involving 373 participants were included, focusing on BT interventions lasting a minimum of four weeks. These studies demonstrated that BT led to significant enhancements in balance, power, agility, stability, and basketball skill-related performance. Nevertheless, certain assessments such as the balance error scoring system, triple hop distance, 30-second maximal performance jump, single-leg triple hop, Y reactive agility, and maneuver running tests did not show significant improvements. Conclusion: BT proves to be a valuable intervention for improving physical fitness and skill-related performance among basketball players. However, the variability in training methods highlights the need for further research to determine the optimal BT parameters, including training volume, intensity, and duration. Additionally, future studies should explore how factors such as gender, age, and playing level influence the effectiveness of BT in basketball players
Pluronic F-68 improves root growth of recalcitrant rice cultivar through enhanced auxin biosynthesis
Full text linkIn plants, roots play a vital role in crop performance and yield that impact the agricultural productivity. Pluronic F-68 (PF-68) is a type of non-ionic surfactant that is typically utilised as a plant growth additive. There is a lack of studies on the impact of PF-68 on root growth. This work aims to assess the impacts of PF-68 on recalcitrant MR 219 rice root growth. Supplementation of 0.04% PF-68 enhanced the length (18.50%) and number of roots (15.87%) of MR 219 rice. The PF-68-treated MR 219 rice also showed a significant increment in sugar accumulation (1.73 mg/mL) and glutamate synthase activity (0.88 µmol/g protein). Consistent with the root growth enhancement, MR 219 rice supplemented with PF-68 recorded an increase in transcription levels of Indole-3-Acetic Acid 23 (OsIAA23) (1.84-folds) and WUSCHEL-Related Homeobox 11 (OsWOX11) (2.00-folds). Moreover, the PF-68-treated MR 219 rice also exhibited an enhancement of indole acetic acid (IAA) concentrations (27.33 ng/g FW), further suggesting its role in auxin biosynthesis. Taken together, our study revealed that the introduction of PF-68 enhanced the root growth of MR 219 rice through improved sugar accumulation, glutamate synthase activity and auxin biosynthesis
Development of biofoam from sucrose, furfuryl alcohol, itaconic acid, and ammonium dihydrogen phosphate with enhanced thermal insulation and flame retardancy
No full textSucrose was crosslinked with furfuryl alcohol (FA) in the presence of itaconic acid (IA) to synthesize sucrose-furfuryl alcohol-itaconic acid (SFI) resin. Ammonium dihydrogen phosphate (ADP) was subsequently combined with SFI resin to produce SFIA foam. The structure, morphology, mechanical characteristics, thermal properties, and flame retardancy of SFIA foam were evaluated. Spectroscopic analysis verified that sucrose facilitated the crosslinking reaction among FA, IA, and ADP. The SFIA foam possesses a small cell pore size of 278.86 μm and a thick cell wall measuring 65.32 μm. As a result, the SFIA foam possesses exceptional compressive strength of 3.481 MPa, which only marginally decreased to 3.317 MPa after 72 h of UV irradiation. The small cell pore size endows the SFIA foam with exceptional thermal conductivity of 0.054 W·m−1·k−1. Correspondingly, SFIA foam displayed outstanding thermal stability and thermal insulation properties, not to mention exceptional flame retardancy, as evidenced by the high limiting oxygen index (LOI) of 46.1 %. Noteworthily, the SFIA foam has been rated UL-94 V-0. Moreover, the SFIA foam is biodegradable, making it holds significant potential for widespread industrial applications, particularly in sustainable building materials
Speech and Elocution Training (SET): a self-efficacy catalyst for language potential activation and career-oriented development for higher vocational students
Full text linkThis study explores how Speech and Elocution Training (SET) activates language potential and fosters career-oriented development among higher vocational students through self-efficacy mechanisms. Through qualitative interviews with four vocational graduates who participated in SET 5 to 10 years ago, the research identifies three key findings. First, SET comprises curriculum content (e.g., workplace communication modules such as hosting, storytelling, and sales pitching) and classroom training using multimodal TED resources and Toastmasters International-simulated practices, which spark language potential through skill-focused, realistic exercises. Second, these pedagogies facilitate a progression where initial language potential evolves from nascent career interests into concrete job-seeking intentions and long-term career plans: completing workplace-related speech tasks boosts confidence in career choices, planning, and job competencies, enabling adaptability to professional challenges. Third, SET aligns with Bandura’s four self-efficacy determinants; these are successful experiences (including personalized and virtual skill acquisition and certified affirmation), vicarious experiences (via observation platforms and constructive peer modeling), verbal persuasion (direct instructional feedback and indirect emotional support), and the arousal of optimistic emotions (the cognitive reframing of challenges and direct desensitization to anxieties). These mechanisms collectively create a positive cycle that enhances self-efficacy, amplifies language potential, and clarifies career intentions. While highlighting SET’s efficacy, this study notes a small sample size limitation, urging future mixed-methods studies with diverse samples to validate these mechanisms across broader vocational contexts and refine understanding of language training’s role in fostering linguistic competence and career readiness
English language teachers’ speaking assessment beliefs and practices in Malaysian secondary schools
No full textThis study examines the correlation between Malaysian secondary school English teachers’ speaking assessment beliefs and their actual classroom practices within a classroom-based assessment framework. Adopting a quantitative research approach, data were collected from 98 teachers via a survey, and correlational analysis was employed to examine the strength, direction, and significance of the relationship between their beliefs and practices. The findings indicate that while teachers generally believe speaking assessment is important for developing students’ communication skills, their actual practices do not always match these beliefs. A statistically significant moderate positive correlation was found between teachers’ beliefs about speaking assessment and their frequency of using it; teachers who attached more importance to it, tended to use it more in practice. The results highlight the need for focused professional development and clearer guidelines to assist teachers in aligning teachers’ assessment beliefs and practices. This alignment will promote more effective and consistent use of speaking assessments in the classroom
Phenol adsorption performance by bamboo activated carbon produced using fabricated two-in-one carbonization activation pilot reactor
Full text linkPhenol contamination from industrial effluents poses significant risks to ecosystems and human health. The permissible limit for phenol levels in wastewater sets by the Malaysia Environmental Quality Act of 1974 is 1 mg L⁻¹ (Standard B). Therefore, this study produced bamboo activated carbon (BAC) using a pilot-scale of two-in-one carbonization and activation reactor and tested for phenol removal. BAC was carbonized at 500°C for 2 h, followed by physical activation at 800°C for 2 h. The resulting BAC demonstrated a remarkable surface area of 1018 m² g⁻¹, a high microporosity exceeding 80 %, and a minor presence of mesoporosity with a pore diameter of 2.08 nm. These characteristics greatly enhanced phenol removal, with BAC achieving over 90 % removal within 15 min at 0.4 g dosage, whereas commercial BAC reached only 82.4 % at the same dosage after 60 min. Additionally, BAC remained effective across a wide pH range of 2–10. The adsorption followed pseudo-first-order kinetics (R² = 0.9995, χ² = 0.0049) and multilayer adsorption as per the Freundlich isotherm model (R² = 0.9588, χ² = 0.9119). These results demonstrate the high potential of BAC produced from this reactor for effective phenol removal, with potential applications for other pollutants
Conventional soliton and noise-like pulse emissions at 1.98μ m utilizing tungsten trioxide as mode-locker
No full textIn this paper, we experimentally demonstrate the dual pulse emissions of conventional soliton (CS) and noise-like pulse (NLP) in thulium-holmium co-doped fiber laser using tungsten trioxide saturable absorber (WO3-SA). The CS pulse delivered 2ps width, centered at 1982.8nm. Increasing the pump power and alteration of polarization states switched the CS to the NLP regime with 1990.0nm central wavelength, 17.2nm spectral bandwidth, and 396fs spike width riding on top of a wide picosecond pulse pedestal in the time domain. This work suggests the capability of WO3-SA as a pulse initiator for future dual-source ultrashort pulses based on an all-fiber laser cavity design
Identification of risk factors for diabetes in Chinese middle-aged and elderly adults
Full text linkThis study aimed to identify and analyze the factors associated with the prevalence of diabetes among Chinese adults, using data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). Data from the CHARLS cohort, with a mean age of 63.3 years, were analyzed using SPSS software. Descriptive statistics were performed for the overall population, as well as urban and rural subgroups. Logistic regression models were employed to assess the association between diabetes and variables such as age, gender, smoking, alcohol consumption, hypertension, and mental health disorders. Paired-sample t-tests were conducted to evaluate changes in diabetes prevalence across 2015, 2018, and 2020. The average of diabetes increased from 1.08 in 2015 to 1.15 in 2020, with a statistically significant difference (P < 0.001). Paired-sample t-tests showed significant differences between 2020 and 2018, as well as between 2018 and 2015 (P < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis identified hypertension (aOR = 0.447, 95% CI: 0.410–0.488, P < 0.001) and chronic disease (aOR = 0.024, 95% CI: 0.013–0.042, P < 0.001) as key risk factors for diabetes. Mild physical exercise was a protective factor (aOR = 0.813, 95% CI: 0.708–0.935, P < 0.01), while smoking (aOR = 1.220, 95% CI: 1.088–1.369, P < 0.001) and alcohol consumption (aOR = 1.125, 95% CI: 1.020–1.242, P < 0.05) increased the risk. Smoking and alcohol had a greater impact in urban areas, while hypertension and mental health disorders were more influential in rural areas. This study demonstrates that age, gender, smoking, alcohol consumption, hypertension, and mental disorders significantly influence the risk of diabetes among Chinese adults aged 45 and above. Distinct risk factors were identified between urban and rural populations, highlighting the necessity for tailored intervention strategies. The longitudinal analysis from 2015 to 2020 revealed a substantial increase in diabetes prevalence, underscoring the critical need for sustained and targeted public health efforts
Lameness and hoof disorders in sheep and goats from small ruminant farms in Selangor, Malaysia
Full text linkHoof disorders in small ruminants pose significant challenges to animal welfare and farm productivity. This study presents the first attempt to determine the prevalence of lameness and hoof disorders and their associated risk factors in goat and sheep farms in Selangor, Malaysia. Locomotion scores were collected from 226 animals (126 sheep and 100 goats) across 10 farms. A hoof examination was conducted, and hoof lesions were identified through detailed photographic evaluation. On-farm assessments and interviews were conducted to gather information on management practices from the farms. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis, and logistic regression models. The prevalence of lameness was 42.8% (95% CI 34.2 to 51.9) in sheep and 23.0% (95% CI 16.3–38.4) in goats. Significant variation (p > 0.05) in lameness prevalence was observed across farms, ranging from 26.7% to 61.5% in sheep and 7.7% to 30.8% in goat farms. The majority of lameness and hoof lesions were observed in the hindlimbs of both species. The prevalence of hoof disorders was 91.3% (95% CI 84.6–95.4) in sheep and 43.0% in goats (95% CI 21.4–58.0). The predominant hoof disorders were overgrown wall horn, white line disease, sole bruise, and wall fissures. No hoof affections of infectious origin were observed in the sampled animals. Risk factors for lameness and hoof lesions in sheep included pregnancy, semi-intensive management, and breeds other than Damara. Higher odds of lameness were observed in exotic goat breeds and those with overgrown wall horns. In conclusion, this study revealed a high prevalence of lameness and hoof disorders in goat and sheep farms, highlighting the need to address these important welfare and economic issues. While the identified risk factors could be considered for the management of hoof disorders in small ruminant farms, a larger sample size that is representative of the sheep and goat population is recommended for more generalizable results
Multilayer neural networks enhanced with hybrid methods for solving fractional partial differential equations
No full textThis paper introduces a novel multilayer neural network technique to solve partial differential equations with non-integer derivatives (FPDEs). The proposed model is a deep feed-forward multiple layer neural network (DFMLNN) that is trained using advanced optimization approaches, namely adaptive moment estimation (Adam) and limited-memory Broyden-Fletcher-Goldfarb-Shanno (L-BFGS), which integrate neural networks. First, the Adam method is employed for training, and then the model is further improved using L-BFGS. The Laplace transform is used, concentrating on the Caputo fractional derivative, to approximate the FPDE. The efficacy of this strategy is confirmed through rigorous testing, which involves making predictions and comparing the outcomes with exact solutions. The results illustrate that this combined approach greatly improves both precision and effectiveness. This proposed multilayer neural network offers a robust and reliable framework for solving FPDEs