Synthetic precursor to make alkali activated cements

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Contextual intelligence and expertise in soccer

Para los entrenadores la inteligencia en el juego es uno de los intangibles que predicen el éxito en la competición. De ahí que el objetivo de este estudio fuera analizar la percepción que jugadores de fútbol de diferente nivel de pericia tenían de su inteligencia para el juego. Se aplicó el Cuestionario de Inteligencia Contextual en el Deporte (ICD) que evalúa tres dimensiones: Inteligencia Anticipatoria, Inteligencia Táctica e Inteligencia Competitiva. En este estudio participaron 690 jugadores de fútbol de diferente nivel competitivo. Los resultados mostrarion que a medida que aumentaba el nivel competitivo se incrementaba la percepción de los jugadores sobre su inteligencia contextual. Este estudio confirma el papel que para los jugadores posee el sentirse competentes para solucionar los problemas tácticos de su deporte y que este sentimiento aumenta con su nivel de competencia.Coaches consider that game intelligence is one of the main elements that can predict success in competition. The objective of this study was to analize the perceptions that soccer players of different level of expertise had about their intelligence in the field. The Contextual Intelligence Questionnaire (ICD) was applied to a sample of spanish soccer players. This instrument evaluate three dimensions: Anticipatory intelligence, Tactical Intelligence and Competitive Intelligence. Six hundred and ninety of spanish soccer players of different level of expertise, participated in this study. Results showed that this self-perception increased with the level of players. This study confirmed the relevance of feeling able of solving tactical problems in the game, and how this feeling increase with the level of expertise.El presente estudio se pudo llevar a cabo gracias a la ayuda a la investigación concedida por la Cátedra Real Madrid- Universidad Europea de Madrid en su convocatoria 201

Conservation biogeography of ecologically interacting species: The case of the Iberian lynx and the European rabbit

Aim To relate the recent Iberian lynx decline to changes in the distribution of the European rabbit after the haemorrhagic disease outbreak of 1989. As Iberian rabbits evolved in two geographically separated lineages, being the recent lynx range practically restricted to the southwestern lineage, we also test if differential range dynamics exists for these lineages, with the consequent implications for lynx conservation and reintroduction planning

Clinical guideline SEOM: cancer of unknown primary site

Cancer of unknown primary site is a histologically confirmed cancer which is manifested in advanced stage, with no identifiable primary site after the use of standard diagnostic procedures. Patients are initially placed into one of categories based upon the examination of the initial biopsy: adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, neuroendocrine carcinoma and poorly differentiated carcinoma. Appropriate patient management requires an understanding of several clinicopathologic features that help to identify several subsets of patients with more responsive tumors

Influencia de la longitud de la biela en la eficiencia y biomecánica del pedaleo submáximo

El principal objetivo de este estudio es analizar el efecto de pequeños cambios en la longitud de la biela en el gasto energético y la técnica de pedaleo submáximo. Participaron 12 ciclistas de fondo en carretera bien entrenados, que realizaron pruebas de pedaleo a tres potencias con cadencia estable, utilizando tres longitudes de biela (en orden aleatorio). Sus bicicletas fueron exactamente reproducidas en un ergómetro que medía el torque ejercido sobre la biela izquierda y derecha de forma independiente. Simultáneamente se registró cinemática 2D de la pierna derecha y el gasto energético al pedalear (eficiencia gruesa). Los resultados muestran que los cambios en la longitud de la biela no tuvieron efecto en la eficiencia gruesa, pero sí en las variables biomecánicas. Una biela de mayor longitud provocó una pérdida de eficiencia mecánica y un aumento en la flexión y el rango de movimiento de la cadera y la rodilla, sin cambios en el tobillo. Aunque estos cambios no fueron lo suficientemente importantes para alterar la eficiencia gruesa, sí que podrían tener implicaciones negativas a largo plazo (peor técnica de pedaleo y riesgo de lesión). En conclusión, el efecto de pequeños cambios en la longitud de la biela, que serían asumibles por ciclistas de competición, producen alteraciones en la biomecánica de pedaleo, pero no en su eficiencia gruesa. Futuros estudios deben abordar los efectos a largo plazo de estos cambios.The main purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of small changes in crank length on gross efficiency and pedaling technique during submaximal cycling. Twelve well-trained road cyclists participated. They pedaled at three power outputs and steady cadence with three crank lengths (in a randomized order). Their bicycles were exactly reproduced on an ergometer where crank torque of the left and right legs were independently registered. 2D kinematic of the right leg and energy cost (gross efficiency) were recorded. The results showed that changes in crank length had no effect on the gross efficiency, but had effect on the biomechanical variables. A longer crank caused a decreased in mechanical efficiency and an increase in the flexion and range of movement of the hip and the knee, without changes in the ankle. These alterations were not significant enough to alter the gross efficiency, but they could have negative long-term implications (worse pedaling technique and possible injuries). In conclusion, the small changes in crank arm length which are feasible for competitive cyclists affected cycling biomechanics, but not gross efficiency. Future studies should study long-term effects of these changes.Peer Reviewe

Investigaciones Sobre Programación del Riego en Limonero y Olivo Mediante Medidas Directas y Continuas del Estado Hídrico.

En el presente trabajo se realiza una revisión del estado actual de conocimientos sobre aspectos relativos a la utilización de medidas continuas del estado hídrico del limonero y olivo para su utilización en la programación del riego, abarcando, esencialmente, aspectos tales como la sensibilidad de distintos indicadores del estado hídrico medidos de forma continua o discontinua en las plantas, su significado fisiológico, la obtención de niveles de referencia de los indicadores y primeros resultados sobre programación del riegoThe feasibility of irrigation scheduling in olive and lemon trees using continuously recorded plant-based water stress indicators was studied. For this, the characteristics of different plant-based water stress indicators (stem water potential, sap flow and trunk diameter fluctuations), their sensibility and limitations for water stress diagnosis purposes was discussed. The ways in which data can be interpreted, and protocols for irrigation scheduling was also described

Identification of water stress conditions in olive trees through frequencies of trunk growth rate

Continuous monitoring of the tree water status will enhance irrigation performance, particularly when applying deficit schedules. The olive tree is a highly drought-resistant species and management of the water stress could increase water savings. Trunk diameter fluctuations can be displayed as daily curves representing the shrinkage and swelling, and can provide information about tree water status. In olive trees, trunk growth rate (TGR) is the most useful indicator, but the daily variability reduced the commercial applications. Recently, weekly frequencies of TGR values were associated to the water status in one seasonal experiment. The aim of this work is to study the seasonal pattern and the interannual variations of these parameters in order to integrate them in an irrigation scheduling tool. The experiment was performed during two consecutive seasons (2018 and 2019) in a superhigh density mature olive orchard at Carmona (Seville, Spain). Three different irrigation scheduling treatments were considered in a randomized complete block design. The control treatment was fully irrigated with 150–175% crop evapotranspiration (ETc) in order to ensure an optimum water status. Regulated deficit irrigation-1 (RDI-1) was scheduled using only TGR data provided through the continuous measurements from a dendrometer. In this treatment, water stress conditions were controlled during the pit hardening period. RDI-2 was similar to RDI-1, but with a more severe water stress conditions during pit hardening and a maximum seasonal amount of water that limited rehydration. Water stress was greater during the 2019 season than the 2018 season, according to the midday stem water potential (SWP). Weekly frequencies of TGR values lower than − 0.3 mm day− 1 (Severe FR) and values between − 0.1 and 0.3 mm day− 1 (Good FR) described the water status pattern in the three treatments for both seasons. Only under severe water stress conditions (SWP more negative than − 4 MPa) the values of these frequencies did not identify accurately the water status. However, the use of weekly frequencies of values greater than 0.3 mm day− 1 (Alert FR) and the pattern of these Severe FR and Good FR themselves identified such conditions. The use of these three weekly frequencies (Severe, Good and Alert (SGA) approach) are suggested for continuous deficit irrigation scheduling in olive trees

Estado actual de la programación del riego en limero mediante medidas del estado hídrico

: En el presente trabajo se realiza una revisi´on sobre aspectos relativos a la utilizaci´on de medidas continuas del estado h´ıdrico del limonero en la programaci´on del riego. Para ello, se analiz´o, la sensibilidad de distintos indicadores del estado h´ıdrico medidos de forma continua o discontinua en las plantas, su significado fisiol´ogico, la obtenci´on de niveles de referencia de los indicadores y los primeros resultados sobre programaci´on del riego

Protected areas as a double edge sword: An analysis of factors driving urbanisation in their surroundings

Protected areas (PAs) are the most effective tools to protect biodiversity and ecosystem services. They have proven to be effective in stopping extensive land use conversion in well-conserved terrestrial ecosystems. However, land cover changes around PAs threaten biodiversity and ecosystem services within their limits and reduce ecological connectivity. In this study, we analysed the urban sprawls on the boundaries of 159 PAs (national, regional, and natural parks) in Spain, using 2.5 and 5 km non-protected buffer zones from 1990 to 2018. We clustered PAs based on biophysical and socio-economic characteristics and modelled urban sprawl in different buffers and periods. Hierarchical clustering revealed three groups of PAs: (a) proximate urban parks, (b) mountainous parks, and (c) parks in the Madrid autonomous region. We found that urbanisation in the surroundings of PAs in Spain has nearly doubled since 1990. General linear models explained a significant proportion of the urbanisation trends observed, with the number of municipalities in the boundary of the PA, the distance to a main road, and the distance to a big city acting as the most important drivers of urban sprawl. Our results also show that some PAs exert significant effects on urbanisation trends in their surroundings through the park-view effect. Finally, we highlight three coexisting phenomena that might explain the observed urban sprawl processes: (a) PAs attracting urbanisation in their surroundings due to the park-view effect, (b) PAs as a deterrent for urban sprawl within their limits, and (c) PAs occupying residual areas among previously urbanised landsThis study was supported by the project ECOGRADIENTES, funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (CGL2014- 53782-P

Early alterations in vascular contractility associated to changes in fatty acid composition and oxidative stress markers in perivascular adipose tissue

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Aim</p> <p>To test the early effect of fructose-induced changes in fatty acid composition and oxidative stress markers in perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) upon vascular contractility.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Adult male Wistar rats were fed a commercial diet without (CD) or with 10% fructose (FRD) in the drinking water for 3 weeks. We measured plasma metabolic parameters, lipid composition and oxidative stress markers in aortic PVAT. Vascular contractility was measured in aortic rings sequentially, stimulated with serotonin (5-HT) and high K⁺-induced depolarization using intact and thereafter PVAT-deprived rings.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Comparable body weights were recorded in both groups. FRD rats had increased plasma triglyceride and fructosamine levels. Their PVAT had an increased saturated to mono- or poly-unsaturated fatty acid ratio, a significant decrease in total superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities and in the total content of glutathione. Conversely, lipid peroxidation (TBARS), nitric oxide content, and gluthathione reductase activity were significantly higher, indicating an increase in oxidative stress. In aortic rings, removal of PVAT increased serotonin-induced contractions, but the effect was significantly lower in rings from FRD rats. This effect was no longer observed when the two contractions were performed in PVAT-deprived rings. PVAT did not affect the contractions triggered by high K⁺-induced depolarization either in CD or FRD rats.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>FRD induces multiple metabolic and endocrine systemic alterations which also alter PVAT and the vascular relaxant properties of this tissue. The changes in PVAT would affect its paracrine modulation of vascular function.</p