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Copyright of Retos: Nuevas Perspectivas de Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación is the property of Federacion Espanola de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educacion Fisica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Cancer treatment remains a significant challenge, with chemotherapy still being one of the most common therapeutic approaches. Based on our initial studies of symmetric monomethine cyanine dyes, which showed potential against colorectal cancer, this study explored several asymmetric cyanines, aiming to develop more potent and selective antitumor agents, particularly against colorectal cancer. In pursuit of this goal, we have designed, synthesized, and structurally characterized twelve new cyanine dyes. Their antiproliferative effects were then investigated in vitro against both tumor and non-tumor cell lines. Notably, the two most promising dyes in terms of potency and selectivity against Caco-2 colorectal cancer cells were derived from the combination of N-methylbenzoxazole and N-methylquinoline (dye 5), as well as N-ethylbenzothiazole and N-ethyl-6-nitrobenzothiazole (dye 10). The potential mechanisms behind their antiproliferative action were also explored, revealing that both dyes penetrate cells and localize within the cytoplasm and nucleus. Furthermore, dye 5 was found to slightly induce apoptosis without causing significant cell cycle arrest, in contrast to dye 10, which increased the number of cells in the G0/G1 phase. Interestingly, both dyes exhibited marked topoisomerase II inhibitory effects, particularly cyanine 5, which may further explain their antiproliferative activity. Additionally, drug-likeness properties were predicted for both dyes. Overall, cyanine 5 emerged as the most promising candidate for further investigation as a potential treatment for colorectal cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although there are some studies that have linked fitness parameters and sports injuries, the literature remains controversial. The aim of the study was to prospectively analyze the influence of initial physical condition parameters on the development of injury in the first three months of the sports season in futsal players. A total of 68 players (24.26±4.63 years old) were assessed before the start of the sports season in relation to certain physical condition parameters, such as body composition (bioimpedance), lower limb power (countermovement jump, CMJ) and muscle strength (isokinetic dynamometer). The injured players showed significantly worse initial performance in the CMJ compared to the uninjured players (p< 0.001). There were no significant differences between groups in body composition and muscle strength. Lower power values were associated with a higher risk of injury in the first few months of the sports season (OR=0.92; 95% CI=0.88–0.99). Muscle power was an independent predictor of injury in the first few months of the sports season in futsal players, indicating that improving players' physical condition could help reduce the number of injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the possibility of using two complementary electronic sensors (rising plate meter (RPM) and active optical sensor (AOS)) to obtain a global indicator, pasture crude protein (CP) in kg ha−1. This parameter simultaneously integrates two essential dimensions: pasture dry matter availability (dry matter (DM) in kg ha−1) measured by RPM, and pasture quality (measured by AOS), and supports management decisions, particularly those related to the stocking rates, supplementation, or rotation of animals between grazing parks. The experimental work was carried out on a dryland biodiverse and representative pasture, and consisted of sensor measurements, followed by the collection of a total of 144 pasture samples, distributed between three dates of the pasture vegetative cycle of 2023/2024 (Autumn—December 2023; Winter—February 2024; and Spring—May 2024). These samples were subjected to laboratory reference analysis to determine DM and CP. Sensor measurements (compressed height (HRPM) in the case of RPM, and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) in the case of AOS) and the results of reference laboratory analysis were used to develop prediction models. The best correlations between CP (kg ha−1) and "HRPM × NDVI" were obtained in the initial and intermediate phases of the cycle (autumn: R2 = 0.86 and LCC = 0.80; and Winter; R2 = 0.74 and LCC = 0.81). In the later phase of the cycle (spring), the accuracy of the forecasting model decreased dramatically (R2 = 0.28 and LCC = 0.42), a trend that accompanies the decrease in the pasture moisture content (PMC) and CP. The results of this study show not only the importance of extending the database to other pasture types in order to enhance the process of feed supplement determination, but also the potential for the research and development of proximal and remote sensing tools to support pasture monitoring and animal production management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluates two expedient electronic sensors, a rising plate meter (RPM) and a "Grassmaster II" capacitance probe (GMII), to estimate pasture dry matter (DM, in kg ha−1). The sampling process consisted of sensor measurements, followed by pasture collection and a laboratory reference analysis. In this comparative study, carried out throughout the 2023/2024 pasture growing season, a total of 288 pasture samples were collected in two phases (calibration and validation). The calibration phase (n = 144) consisted of measurements on three dates (6 December 2023, 29 February and 10 May 2024) in 48 georeferenced sampling areas of the experimental field "Eco-SPAA" ("MG" field), located at Mitra farm (Évora, Portugal). This pasture is a permanent mixture of various botanical species (grasses, legumes, and others) grazed by sheep, and is representative of biodiverse dryland pastures. The validation phase (n = 144) was carried out between December 2023 and April 2024 in 18 field tests (each with eight pasture samples), in three types of representative pastures: the same mixture for grazing ("MG" field), a commercial and annual mixture for cutting (mowing) and conservation ("MM" field), and legumes for grazing ("LG" field). The best estimation model for DM was obtained based on measurements carried out in February in the case of the GMII probe (R2 = 0.61) and December 2023 and February 2024 in the case of RPM (R2 = 0.76). The estimation decreased very significantly for both sensors based on measurements carried out in May (spring). The validation phase showed greater accuracy (less RMSE) in "MG" field tests (RMSE of 735.4 kg ha−1 with GMII and 512.3 kg ha−1 with the RPM). The results open perspectives for other works that would allow the testing, calibration, and validation of these electronic sensors in a wider range of pasture production conditions, in order to improve their accuracy as decision-making support tools in pasture management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monitoring the evolution of pasture availability and quality throughout the growing season is the basis of grazing management in extensive Mediterranean livestock systems. Remote sensing (RS) is an innovative tool that, among many other applications, is being developed for detailed spatial and temporal pasture quality assessment. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the potential of satellite images (Sentinel-2) to assess indicators of pasture quality (pasture moisture content, PMC, crude protein, CP and neutral detergent fiber, NDF) using the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). Field measurements were conducted over three years at eight representative fields of the biodiversity and variability of dryland pastures in Portugal. A total of 656 georeferenced pasture samples were collected and processed in the laboratory. The results show a significant correlation between pasture quality parameters (PMC, CP and NDF) obtained in standard laboratory methods and NDVI satellite-derived data (R2 of 0.72, 0.75, and 0.50, respectively). The promising findings obtained in this large-scale validation study (three years and eight fields) encourage further research (i) to test and develop other vegetation indexes for monitoring pasture nutritive value; (ii) to extend this research to pastures of the other Mediterranean countries, building large and representative datasets and developing more robust and accurate monitoring models based on freely available Sentinel-2 images; (iii) to implement an extension program for agricultural managers to popularize the use of these technological tools as the basis of grazing and pasture management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: The objective of the study was to verify the effects of COVID-19 confinement on motor skills through a longitudinal study in Portuguese children who were one year old at the beginning of the pandemic. (2) Methods: The sample consisted of 88 children of both sexes, in the pre-COVID-19 assessment, they were 13.31 ± 2.4 months old and in the post-COVID-19 assessment, the same children were already 49.31 ± 2.5 months old. Motor skills were assessed using the PDMS-2 scales. For the statistical analysis, the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test was used to test normality, and the Wilcoxon test was used to compare the results of the two assessments in the same sample. (3) Results: There were statistically significant differences in all motor skills assessed, with children presenting, on average, worse results in all global motor skills in the post-COVID-19 assessment, as opposed to fine motor skills, showing better results in the post-COVID-19 assessment. (4) Conclusions: These results show the negative impact of the pandemic on children evaluated with a special emphasis on global motor skills, with the majority demonstrating values considered below average for their age, noting that the pandemic protocols may have had serious consequences on children's motor development, warning professionals who deal daily with children in these age groups about the importance of stimulating global motor skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: This research aims to investigate which benefits one may expect using Maturity Models in Configuration Management (CM) domain. CM is a support process that helps organizations have better management of their infrastructure. Its importance, in the Information Technology (IT) domain, has increased in recent years, despite this process not being technologically new, and the fact that many organizations implement this process in a haphazard way, which results in it not producing the benefits that it should produce. With the intention of assessing and improving the organizations’ IT processes practices and capabilities, MMs have been developed and implemented. However, the application of MM in the CM domain is yet to be explored.

This brief narrative review assesses how digital technologies—such as wearables, mobile health apps, and various digital tools such as computers, game consoles, tablets, smartphones, and extended reality systems—can influence sedentary and physical activity behaviors among community-dwelling older adults. Each section highlights the central role of these technologies in promoting active aging through increased motivation, engagement and customized experiences. It underlines the critical importance of functionality, usability and adaptability of devices and confirms the effectiveness of digital interventions in increasing physical activity and reducing sedentary behavior. The sustainable impact of these technologies needs to be further investigated, with a focus on adapting digital health strategies to the specific needs of older people. The research advocates an interdisciplinary approach and points out that such collaborations are essential for the development of accessible, effective and ethical solutions. This perspective emphasizes the potential of digital tools to improve the health and well-being of the aging population and recommends their strategic integration into health promotion and policy making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista de Ciências Agrárias is the property of Sociedade de Ciencias Agrarias de Portugal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista de Ciências Agrárias is the property of Sociedade de Ciencias Agrarias de Portugal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The study aimed to analyse and compare behavioural changes in swimming teachers, after retrospective reflection between two swimming teaching sessions. 10 individuals were analysed, characterized by gender, level of experience, coaching graduation and level of students practice. To analyse behaviours, the SOP (teacher observation system) was applied, comparing the moments of Instruction, Feed-back, Organization and Observation. In the statistical comparison, two non-parametric tests were applied: the Wilcoxon test, which allowed comparing the same behaviours between the first and second sessions, and the Mann Whitney test, which allowed comparing the same behaviours between the first and second sessions of each session. It was found that there were significant differences in Instruction and Organization behaviours between the first and second sessions among the swimming teachers analysed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Imagery (IM) is one of the most popular psychological techniques used by athletes and coaches to improve performance at competition level. The aim of the study was to investigate if there were statically significant differences in the use of the imagery modalities of MIQ-3 (kinaesthetic, Visual Internal, Visual External) between futsal and soccer practitioners. Seventeen-three subjects (soccer: n = 24; age = 11.33 ± 0.48 years old; futsal: n = 49; age = 10.08 ± 1.77 years old) volunteered to participate in this study. All the participants had at least two years of regular practice in federated competition. The subjects signed an informed consent form. To assess IM ability, the Portuguese version of MIQ-3 was used. The normality of the data was verified by the Shapiro-Wilk Test. The mean and standard deviation were computed as descriptive statistics. T-test Student and Mann-Whitney tests for independent samples were used to verify differences between groups. Our results demonstrated no significant differences between groups (p > .5), values were higher in futsal practitioners in VI, VE and MIQ-3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Judo, each motor action depends greatly on the behavioural and technical variability of each judoka, which largely determines the options and the predominance of biomechanical actions inherent to the movements themselves. It is, therefore, important to understand the biomechanical action trends implemented by judokas in the dynamics of current judo, allowing for more assertive competitive preparation. The objective was to biomechanically analyse the technical actions used in the 2021 European Judo Championships based on combat time and gold score. The study sample focused on 400 combats of the European Judo Championship 2021. We used an observation system created for this purpose, according to the classification system proposed by Sacripanti. Cross-frequency tables were produced, where the association degree between variables was analysed using the Chi Square test, where the significance level was set at p = .05. We complemented the association analysis between variables by calculating the adjusted standardized residuals. In both genders and phases of combat, the use of torque techniques predominated over lever techniques, with the hierarchy of technical resources used by judokas being identical. In golden score, women showed a significant association with the use of torso-leg binary techniques. Throughout the fights, women registered differences in the use of groups of techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extracurricular Activities of Physical Motor Expression are the starting point for students physical, social, and cognitive development. There for understanding the characteristics of Physical Motor Expression classes of AEC's (Extracurricular Activities) according to the levels of physical activity, the context of the classes and the teacher's behaviour are important elements to help teacher to organize their work. For that we used SOFIT an instrument based on direct observation, developed, and validated for the evaluation of Physical Education classes. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics. We found that the time students were standing 34% of time, and very active 18.3%. Girls demonstrated that they are more active for longer than boys. The largest proportion of class time was on practicing skills (44.6%) and games (29.4%). In class teacher spent 29.7% on observing situations. The data suggest that students spend in class the same time in motor activities and stopped, and the teacher spends his time in several didactic situations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article aims to show the pedagogical and social perspective of the interaction between Socio -Cultural Animation and the play associated with football. The possibility of associating play with football enables a more balanced growth at a physical, emotional, and social level. In this dimension, socio-cultural animation is relevant due to its multiplicity of interventions, in the context of promoting the social relationship and physical-motor development and the cooperative games, in the process of educational construction in the football context, helping in the child's growth, training the norms and rules, supervising and establishing social relationships, for the reinforcement of physical-motor skills and behavioural parameterization. This study tried to present the value that the action of Sociocultural Animation has in the importance of the play associated with the football context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]