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This study aimed to investigate the effect of the FIFA 11+ program on knee instability and motor performance in male youth soccer players. Thirty male youth soccer players were divided into two groups: the experimental group (FIFA+) performed the FIFA 11+ program for 10 weeks, while the control group followed their usual warm-up routine. Dynamic knee valgus (DKV) and squat depth were assessed using a Microsoft Azure Kinect camera and dynaknee software. Maximal isometric muscle force was measured with a dynamometer. The Y Balance test was used to evaluate dynamic balance, while a countermovement jump test assessed lower limb power. The knee range of motion was measured with a goniometer, and the t-test was used to evaluate agility. After the intervention, the FIFA+ group showed a significant decrease in DKV and squat depth (p < 0.05), while the control group showed no significant changes (p > 0.05). Both groups improved in motor performance, with slight progress noted in the FIFA+ group. However, neither group demonstrated significant improvement in dynamic balance (p > 0.05). While the FIFA 11+ program may not substantially enhance overall motor performance or match the effectiveness of other training regimens, it shows potential for addressing biomechanical deficiencies and reducing the risk of injuries, particularly those related to dynamic knee valgus.

Three-dimensional printing is a promising technology that offers increased freedom to create topologically optimised electrical machine designs with a much smaller layer thickness achievable with the current, laminated steel-sheet-based technology. These composite materials have promising magnetic behaviour, which can be competitive with the current magnetic materials. Accurately calculating the iron losses is challenging due to magnetic steels’ highly nonlinear hysteretic behaviour. Many numerical methodologies have been developed and applied in FEM-based simulations from the first introduced Steinmetz formulae. However, these old curve-fitting-based iron loss models are still actively used in modern finite-element solvers due to their simplicity and high computational demand for more-accurate mathematical methods, such as Preisach- or Jiles–Atherton-model-based calculations. In the case of 3D-printed electrical machines, where the printed material can have a strongly anisotropic behaviour and it is hard to define a standardised measurement, the applicability of the curve-fitting-based iron loss methodologies is limited. The following paper proposes an overview of the current problems and solutions for iron loss calculation and measurement methodologies and discusses their applicability in designing and optimising 3D-printed electrical machines.

The cerebral and retinal circulation systems are developmentally, anatomically, and physiologically interconnected. Thus, we hypothesized that hypoperfusion due to atherosclerotic stenosis of the internal carotid artery (ICA) can result in disturbances of both cerebral and retinal microcirculations. We aimed to characterize parameters indicating cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) and retinal microvascular density in patients with ICA stenosis, and assess if there is correlation between them. In this cross-sectional study the middle cerebral artery (MCA) blood flow velocity was measured by transcranial Doppler (TCD) and, simultaneously, continuous non-invasive arterial blood pressure measurement was performed on the radial artery by applanation tonometry. CVR was assessed based on the response to the common carotid artery compression (CCC) test. The transient hyperemic response ratio (THRR) and cerebral arterial resistance transient hyperemic response ratio (CAR-THRR) were calculated. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) was used to determine vessel density (VD) on the papilla whole image for all (VDP-WI.sub.all) and for small vessels (VDP-WI.sub.small). The same was done in the peripapillary region: all (VDPP.sub.all ), and small (VDPP.sub.small) vessels. The VD of superficial (VDM.sub.spf) and deep (VDM.sub.deep) macula was also determined. Significance was accepted when p<0.05. Twenty-four ICA stenotic patients were evaluated. Both CVR and retinal VD were characterized. There was a significant, negative correlation between CAR-THRR (median = -0.40) and VDPP.sub.small vessels (median = 52%), as well as between VDPP.sub.all vessels (median = 58%), and similar correlation between CAR-THRR and VDP-WI.sub.small (median = 49.5%) and between VDP-WI.sub.all (median = 55%). The significant correlation between impaired cerebrovascular reactivity and retinal vessel density in patients with ICA stenosis suggests a common mechanism of action. We propose that the combined use of these diagnostic tools (TCD and OCTA) helps to better identify patients with increased ischemic or other cerebrovascular risks.

The primary aim of this study was to examine whether markers of cell damage and of the psycho-neuroendocrino-inflammatory/immune (PNI) system could be associated in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) on the next day following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Blood samples of 23 patients (18 men and five women, mean age 62.9 ± 10.6 years), were collected immediately before (pre-PCI), immediately after (post-PCI), and on the day following PCI (1d-PCI). Lactoferrin, LL-37 and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were assayed in plasma, in addition to cortisol and chromogranin A (CgA), as well as CK, ASAT and ALAT. Total and differential leukocyte counts were also analysed. At all the three time points, the monocyte fractions, the monocyte-to-lymphocyte and the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios and CgA levels were elevated. We detected significant peri-procedural changes in the plasma levels of our PNI markers: IL-6 (p<0.05), lactoferrin, LL-37 (both: p <0.0001), CgA, (p<0.05), and cortisol (p<0.01). On the first day after PCI, highly significant associations were found of ASAT with IL-6 and neutrophil count (both: r>0.75, p<0.0001), and of CgA with neutrophil count and monocyte count (both: r>0.79, p<0.0001); furthermore, cortisol was also associated with neutrophil count (r>0.7, p<0.0001). The findings suggest that myocardial damage could correlate not only with an inflammatory reaction but, via neutrophil count, also with increased level of stress in stable CAD after PCI. Furthermore, 1d-PCI neutrophil count may serve as an easy-to-obtain integrative PNI measure in stable CAD.

Background and Aims: Decreased cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) in patients with significant internal carotid artery stenosis (ICAS ≥ 70%) is an independent risk factor for cerebral infarction. To evaluate CVR, changes in cerebral perfusion pressure and blood flow velocity (BFV) of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) can be estimated by CO2- (hyperventilation—HV and breath-holding—BH) and pressure–flow-based (Common Carotid Artery Compression—CCC and Valsalva Maneuver—VM) stimuli. We used a multimodal approach to characterize CVR in patients before carotid endarterectomy (CEA). Methods: HV, BH, CCC, and VM tests were performed on 31, 26, and 34 patients. BFV of MCAs was monitored by transcranial Doppler, and continuous arterial blood pressure was registered non-invasively. CVR was compared between the operated significantly stenotic and the contralateral sides. Results: The extent of HV- and BH-induced CVR was similar, but the time to the lowest HV-induced BFV was shorter on the side with significant ICAS. The response to CCC was sensitive to hemodynamic asymmetry in the transient hyperemic response ratio and in the cumulative change in the (mean arterial blood pressure)/(mean BFV) ratio. In VM, the slope of BFV increased in the ascending (2b) phase, and the time to overshoot correlated with the side of the stenosis. Conclusions: These results suggest that in patients with significant ICAS, in addition to CO2 reactivity measurements, a more complex estimation of CVR, by using hemodynamic tests (CCC and VM), should also be used to better quantify cerebral ischemic risk.

Heart rate (HR) monitoring is a practical method for assessing internal load (IL). However, it remains unclear for which age group HR would be an appropriate predictor of IL considering the relationship with external load (EL). Thus, this study aims to evaluate the relevance and applicability of HR monitoring by exploring the relationship between EL and IL among U16 soccer players. EL was measured using global positioning system (GPS) data, while IL was assessed through training impulse (TRIMP), Edward’s TRIMP, HR exertion, rate of perceived exertion (RPE), and session-RPE (s-RPE). Nineteen (N = 19) male footballers from an elite football academy participated, with data collected from 50 training sessions and 11 matches. In the analysis of the training sessions, TRIMP demonstrated a near-perfect correlation with total distance (TD) (p < 0.001), and eTRIMP correlated strongly with TD (r = 0.82) and player load (r = 0.79). HR exertion also correlated significantly with TD, medium-speed running, decelerations, inertial movement analysis (IMA) events, and player load (p < 0.001). In matches, a large correlation was observed between TRIMP and TD (r = 0.73), while the strongest correlation was between RPE and s-RPE with TD and PL (p < 0.001). Furthermore, TD emerged as the best GPS-derived predictor of both TRIMP and HR exertion in training contexts. These findings provide evidence for the validity and usability of heart rate-based and RPE-based measures to indicate IL in U16 soccer players. Future research should focus on contextual factors in exploring the relationship between EL and IL.

Nowadays, the intranasal route has become a reliable alternative route for drug administration to the systemic circulation or central nervous system. However, there are no official in vitro diffusion and dissolution tests especially for the investigation of nasal formulations. Our main goal was to study and compare a well-known and a lesser-known in vitro permeability investigation method, in order to ascertain which was suitable for the determination of drug permeability through the nasal mucosa from different formulations. The vertical diffusion cell (Franz cell) was compared with the horizontal diffusion model (Side-Bi-Side). Raw and nanonized meloxicam containing nasal dosage forms (spray, gel and powder) were tested and compared. It was found that the Side-Bi-Side cell was suitable for the investigation of spray and powder forms. In contrast, the gel was not measurable on the Side-Bi-Side cell; due to its high viscosity, a uniform distribution of the active substance could not be ensured in the donor phase. The Franz cell, designed for the analysis of semi-solid formulations, was desirable for the investigation of nasal gels. It can be concluded that the application of a horizontal cell is recommended for liquid and solid nasal preparations, while the vertical one should be used for semi-solid formulations.

Signal control is a basic need for urban traffic control; however, it is a very rough intervention in the free flow of traffic, which often results in queues in front of signal heads. The general goal is to reduce the delays caused, and to plan efficient traffic management on the network. For this, the exact knowledge of queue lengths on links is one of crucial importance. This article presents a link-based methodology for real-time queue length estimation in urban signalized road networks. The model uses a Kalman Filter-based recursive method and estimates the length of the queue in every cycle. The input of the filter, i.e. the dynamics of queue length is described by the traffic shockwave theory and the store and forward model. The method requires one loop-detector per link placed at the appropriate position, for which the article also provides suggestions.

Sokat és sokszor beszélünk a biztonsági szakmában a fizikai védelem egyik legfontosabb védelmi eleméről a mechanikai védelemről. Néhány kivételes esettől (nukleáris létesítmények fizikai védelme) eltekintve szinte soha nem foglalkozunk azzal, hogy a késleltetési funkció az egyik legalapvetőbb feladata minden, a védett területretörténő bejutást akadályozó, nehezítő és így késleltető – esetenként építészeti, építőipar – mechanikai védelmi rendszerelemnek, pedig érdemes lenne. Jelen dolgozatomban ezen funkció részleteit és feladatait fogom megvilágítani, segítve ezzel a mérnökök, leendő megrendelők szemléletének a változását ebben a témakörben.

ABC multidrug transporters are key players in cancer multidrug resistance and in general xenobiotic elimination, thus their functional assays provide important tools for research and diagnostic applications. In this study we have examined the potential interactions of three key human ABC multidrug transporters with PhenGreen diacetate (PGD), a cell permeable fluorescent metal ion indicator. The non-fluorescent, hydrophobic PGD rapidly enters the cells and, after cleavage by cellular esterases, in the absence of quenching metal ions, PhenGreen (PG) becomes highly fluorescent. We found that in cells expressing functional ABCG2, ABCB1, or ABCC1 transporters, cellular PG fluorescence is strongly reduced. This fluorescence signal in the presence of specific transporter inhibitors is increased to the fluorescence levels in the control cells. Thus the PG accumulation assay is a new, unique tool for the parallel determination of the function of the ABCG2, ABCB1, and ABCC1 multidrug transporters. Since PG has very low cellular toxicity, the PG accumulation assay also allows the selection, separation and culturing of selected cell populations expressing either of these transporters.