Mental Fatigue and Basketball Performance: A Systematic Review

Mental fatigue (MF) is a psycho-biological state that impairs sports-related performances. Recently, it has been proved that MF can affect basketball performance. However, a systematic overview detailing the influences of MF on basketball performance is still lacking. This study aims to investigate the effects of MF on the physical, technical, tactical, and cognitive performance of basketball. We used the databases of PubMed, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, Scopes, and CKNI for articles published up to 31 May 2021. The articles included in this study were projected to test whether MF influences basketball athlete performance. Only experimental design studies were selected, and the control condition was without MF. Finally, seven articles fit the inclusion criteria. The results imply that MF impairs the technical aspects of basketball (free throws, three-point shots, and total turnover) and the players' cognitive [take-the-first (TTF) heuristics and decision-making] performance, which results in athletes not using their techniques skillfully and being unable to make practical decisions during critical points in the game. In addition to that, the influences of MF on physical and tactical performance have not been studied. Further studies should look into comprehensive research on the influences of MF on basketball performance, especially on a player's physical and tactical performance.Systematic Review Registration: [https://inplasy.com/] [INPLASY2021100017].

A mass spectrometric method for in-depth profiling of phosphoinositide regioisomers and their disease-associated regulation

Phosphoinositides are a family of membrane lipids essential for many biological and pathological processes. Due to the existence of multiple phosphoinositide regioisomers and their low intracellular concentrations, profiling these lipids and linking a specific acyl variant to a change in biological state have been difficult. To enable the comprehensive analysis of phosphoinositide phosphorylation status and acyl chain identity, we develop PRMC-MS (Phosphoinositide Regioisomer Measurement by Chiral column chromatography and Mass Spectrometry). Using this method, we reveal a severe skewing in acyl chains in phosphoinositides in Pten-deficient prostate cancer tissues, extracellular mobilization of phosphoinositides upon expression of oncogenic PIK3CA, and a unique profile for exosomal phosphoinositides. Thus, our approach allows characterizing the dynamics of phosphoinositide acyl variants in intracellular and extracellular milieus.

Post-Heroic Time: Digitalization, Precariate, Qualimetry

The collective monograph, along with the classical themes of V.A. Kutyrev, contains new themes of his co-authors V.V. Slyusarev and T.M. Khusyainov: transformation of social structures, problems of interaction with virtual assistants, personal self-identification in the information society, labor resources in the context of globalization, opposition to humanism and efficiency in the market. The second theme is the increasing complexity of the information society through speed, data volumes, convergence, and dialogue. Religious differences that have fundamentally differentiated ethnic groups for so many centuries are a thing of the past. Differentiation of consumption styles, the ecological load on the biosphere and the capacity of the habitat; these are the current antinomies of man and technology. The paper deals with the effects of current social dynamics, in particular, the increasing processes of precarization, the accelerating pace of life and population growth. Stable employment, sustainable development, wisdom, conservative values; all of this is offered as a sacrifice to civilization, gamification, informatization and together constitutes a society of risk. Can we talk about human consumption by Technos? Isn't this black slug on the cover of the monograph yet another philosophical hypostatized metaphor? It would be correct to say that in conditions of overproduction of people, we need equipment for more efficient production. Without it, we cannot remain human. Technology helped us to leave a purely biological state and become sapient, civilized. Artificial intelligence, neural networks, robotics, blockchain (data processing distribution), 5G standard, big data, internet of things, cloud computing, 3D printing, augmented reality; these are not monster technologies, transhumanist actors, but something that can provide promising employment to millions of people. The problem of unemployment in post-industrial society is already becoming global, because humanity has reached the limits of development. The rapid precarization of the population is proof of this. The mass of people on the planet cannot find normal employment with social guarantees. So maybe we need to thank tech? The review ends with such an ambiguous conclusion.

Biological activity of meadow-chernozem and sod-taiga permafrost soils of the Yeravninsky basin

The biological and biochemical parameters of two types of permafrost soils of the Yeravninsky basin (the carbon content of the microbial mass, different groups of microorganisms, protease, catalase and the intensity of cellulose decomposition) were studied, depending on the water-thermal properties and the type of soil formation. It is established that permafrost soils do not have an optimal combination of potential and real (actual) enzymatic activity. It is also noted that the acidic reaction of the soil solution and the low availability of nutrients in sod-taiga soils increases the development of fungal microflora. The most significant soil-ecological factor that determines the microbiological activity of meadow-chernozem and sod-taiga permafrost soils is humidity, as evidenced by a direct correlation. In turn, these microbiological indicators can be used for diagnostic assessment of the biological state of soils, and also, along with other soil properties, should be taken into account when developing methods to increase the productivity of existing hayfields and pastures on them.

Mapping single-cell data to reference atlases by transfer learning

Large single-cell atlases are now routinely generated to serve as references for analysis of smaller-scale studies. Yet learning from reference data is complicated by batch effects between datasets, limited availability of computational resources and sharing restrictions on raw data. Here we introduce a deep learning strategy for mapping query datasets on top of a reference called single-cell architectural surgery (scArches). scArches uses transfer learning and parameter optimization to enable efficient, decentralized, iterative reference building and contextualization of new datasets with existing references without sharing raw data. Using examples from mouse brain, pancreas, immune and whole-organism atlases, we show that scArches preserves biological state information while removing batch effects, despite using four orders of magnitude fewer parameters than de novo integration. scArches generalizes to multimodal reference mapping, allowing imputation of missing modalities. Finally, scArches retains coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) disease variation when mapping to a healthy reference, enabling the discovery of disease-specific cell states. scArches will facilitate collaborative projects by enabling iterative construction, updating, sharing and efficient use of reference atlases.

Coupling proteomics and metabolomics for the unsupervised identification of protein–metabolite interactions in Chaetomium thermophilum

Protein–metabolite interactions play an important role in the cell’s metabolism and many methods have been developed to screen them in vitro. However, few methods can be applied at a large scale and not alter biological state. Here we describe a proteometabolomic approach, using chromatography to generate cell fractions which are then analyzed with mass spectrometry for both protein and metabolite identification. Integrating the proteomic and metabolomic analyses makes it possible to identify protein-bound metabolites. Applying the concept to the thermophilic fungus Chaetomium thermophilum, we predict 461 likely protein-metabolite interactions, most of them novel. As a proof of principle, we experimentally validate a predicted interaction between the ribosome and isopentenyl adenine.

Influence of phytomelioration on the processes of humus accumulation and microflora of agrogenic soils of Primorye

The monograph is devoted to the study of the influence of various phytomeliorants on the microflora, physicochemical and agrochemical properties of soils. Changes in carbon pools and СО2 emissions from soils, which are most widely used in agriculture of the region, have been studied. The data on the effect of various phytomeliorants on the humus state of soils, their biological activity and optical-energy indicators are presented. Taking into account the change in the integral indicator of the biological state of soils, the most effective phytomeliorants that have a positive effect on soil fertility have been identified. Methods for indicating changes in humus content and catalase activity under the influence of phytomeliorants and various systems of agrotechnical soil cultivation are proposed. The book is intended for soil scientists, ecologists, agrochemists, specialists dealing with agricultural issues, as well as students of relevant specialties.

Approaching wildlife with drones: using scientific literature to identify factors to consider for minimising disturbance

ABSTRACT Drones are a modern alternative to manned aircraft for aerial surveys, however approaching wildlife with drones may still cause disturbance. Understanding the factors influencing animal responses to drone flights is fundamental for informing guidance on lowest-impact flight practices. We reviewed scientific literature on drone flights conducted to approach wildlife and collated and quantified references to factors that should be considered in the development of guidelines and policies. The most referenced controllable factors were approach distance, noise emissions and airspeed. Other frequently referenced controllable factors included drone type, take-off distance, flight pattern, pilot experience and competence, whether consecutive flights were conducted and flight duration. The most referenced environmental factors were animal taxa, biological state of animals and ambient noise, followed by whether conspecifics are present, weather variables, habitat variables, whether animals have received previous exposure to anthropogenic settings, animals’ behaviour prior to drone flights and whether predators are present. Policies and protocols that address these factors have an increased probability of minimising disturbance of drone flights. The variability in animal responses across different taxa, different ways drone flights are performed and the different circumstances they are deployed in highlights the need for taxa-specific protocols that also account for geographical and biological variations.

Influence of Silver Nanoparticles on the Biological Indicators of Haplic Chernozem

In recent years, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are increasingly used in various industries due to their antibacterial properties, which lead to an increase in pollution of the environment and soil ecosystems. However, the ecological effects of soil pollution by AgNPs were poorly studied than that with AgNPs of other metal-based NPs. The aim of this study is to assess the influence of AgNPs on the biological properties of Haplic Chernozem. Silver was introduced into the soil in the form of AgNPs with a concentration of 0.5; 1; 5; 10; 50, and 100 mg/kg in laboratory conditions. The influence of AgNPs on the biological properties of Haplic Chernozem was assessed 30 days after contamination. The degree of reduction in biological properties depends on the AgNPs concentration in the soil. This study showed that the sensitivity to contamination by AgNPs in the total number of bacteria and enzymatic activity was more than that in the abundance of bacteria of the genus Azotobacter. The integrated index of biological state (IIBS) of Haplic Chernozem was decreased by contamination with AgNPs. Silver nanoparticles in the concentration of 10 mg/kg caused a decrease in the indicator by 13% relative to the control. It also decreased IIBS by doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg by 22 and 27% relative to the control. All used biological indicators could be used for biomonitoring, biodiagnosis, bioindication, and regulation of ecological condition of soil contamination by AgNPs.

Stratification as a way to increase germination of switchgrass seeds (Panicum virgatum L.)

Introduction. There is a practical interest in biofuels production from bioomass of perennial cereal grasses such as switchgrass, which is characterized by relatively high yields, low water and fertilization demand, reliable productivity in a wide geographical area, reduced soil erosion, carbon sequestration and improved wildlife habitat. The crop is propagated mainly by seeds, which is characterized by a long dormancy period, which leads to low field germination and uneven germination. Methods. Laboratory, visual, measuring and weighing, mathematical and statistical. Results. The main restraining factor in switchgrass widespread introduction into production and one of the ways to reduce the biological state of rest is stratification. Therefore, the aim of the research was to investigate the influence of seed stratification on the seed vigour and germination depending on the switchgrass varietal characteristics. The article presents the results of research on the seed stratification influence on its vigor and germination depending on varietal characteristics in order to reduce the biological dormancy of seeds and significantly increase germination. Determination of the response of different genotypes to stratification, the effect of low temperature on seed germination was carried out using seeds of four varieties of different groups of maturity: American origin varieties Foresburg — early, Cavein-rock — mid-late, Alamo — late and Ukrainian origin Morozko — midlate. Stratification, i. e. cooling seeds for 7 days at a temperature of 10◦C and germination at a temperature of 20◦C provided a significant increase in seed vigour and seed germination of all studied varieties. On average, the germination energy increased by 5% and germination by 4%. Seeds stratification differently affected seeds quality depending on varietal characteristics, while no natural changes in the seed quality by maturity groups were observed. It was found that stratification had a greater impact on germination energy, with the share of impact being 20%. Conclusions. Stratification provided a significant increase in seed vigour and germination in all studied varieties. On average, seed vigour increased by 5% and germination by 4%. But this measure does not provide a complete solution to reduce the biological state of seed dormancy.