3,985 research outputs found

    Design and validity of a badminton observation tool (BOT)

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    La metodología observacional permite analizar deportes en contexto y dinámicas habituales. El objetivo principal fue la construcción y validación de una herramienta observacional ad hoc para analizar el bádminton individual, que incluye la trayectoria de los desplazamientos como variable no analizada anteriormente. Constituida por 13 criterios y 47 categorías mutuamente excluyentes, fueron analizadas 287 acciones del Campeonato de Mundo de Bádminton 2015. Para la validación se utilizó el coeficiente Kappa de Cohen y la teoría de la generalizabilidad. Se han obtenido resultados, tanto para la herramienta como para cada uno de los criterios de forma individual, superiores a 0,98 estando por encima de 0,81 que propone la literatura como “casi perfecto”. El análisis de la generalizabilidad se realizó mediante un modelo de dos facetas (Categoría/Observador = C/O) y reveló que la fiabilidad era excelente (1,00). La herramienta diseñada es válida y fiable para el análisis de las conductas del bádminton individualObservational methodology allows analysing sports’ specific behaviour context. The main purpose of this manuscript was to develop and validate an ad hoc observational tool for badminton singles games, which includes lunges trajectories as a non-analysed variable till this study. For that reason, the observational tool consists of 13 criteria and 47 categories mutually exclusive. 287actions of the 2015 Badminton World Championship were analysed. With the aim to assess the tool’s validity Cohen’s Kappa and generalizability theory were used. The outcomes for complete observational tool and for each criterion exceed 0.98, being above 0.81 proposed by literature as “almost perfect”. Generalizability analysis was done by two sides model (Category/Observer = C/O) and showed an excellent reliability (1.00). It could be said that it is a reliable tool designed for recording and analyzing the behaviour of badminton singles playersEste trabajo ha sido posible gracias a la Generalitat Valenciana y su programa de becas ACIF 2016/121 para la contratación de personal investigador en formación y al apoyo del proyecto de la Universidad Católica de Valencia San Vicente Mártir: Estudios en el deporte de élite desde los Mixed Methods: técnicas de estudio de análisis comparativos [UCV2017/230/002

    A refutation to 'A new A-P compartment boundary and organizer in holometabolous insect wings'.

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    We respond to a recent report by Abbasi and Marcus who present two main findings: first they argue that there is an organiser and a compartment boundary within the posterior compartment of the butterfly wing. Second, they present evidence for a previously undiscovered lineage boundary near wing vein 5 in Drosophila, a boundary that delineates a "far posterior" compartment. Clones of cells were marked with the yellow mutation and they reported that these clones always fail to cross a line close to vein 5 on the Drosophila wing. In our hands yellow proved an unusable marker for clones in the wing blade and therefore we reexamined the matter. We marked clones of cells with multiple wing hairs or forked and found a substantial proportion of these clones cross the proposed lineage boundary near vein 5, in conflict with their findings and conclusion. As internal controls we showed that these same clones respect the other two well established compartment boundaries: the anteroposterior compartment boundary is always respected. The dorsoventral boundary is mostly respected, and is crossed only by clones that are induced early in development, consistent with many reports. We question the validity of Abbasi and Marcus' conclusions regarding the butterfly wing but present no new data.Arising from: R. Abbasi and J. M. Marcus Sci. Rep. 7, 16337 (2017); https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-16553-5 .WELLCOME TRUST 107060/Z/15/

    2015 Badminton World Championship: Singles final men’s vs women’s behaviours

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    [EN] The purpose of the current study was to identify players’ behaviours and to assess differences between genders at final singles matches of 2015 Badminton World Championship, focusing on time events, shots and court movements. Final men’s (MS) and women’s (WS) singles matches of 2015 Yakarta World Championship were analysed (150 points and 967 actions). Official videos from Badminton World Federation were used to carry out the post-event analysis. Variables analyzed were: ‘timing factors’, type of ‘shots’ and players’ trajectories executed during the match. Descriptive (mean and % of distribution) and comparative analysis between gender and result of events (successful vs. unsuccessful) were carried out. Generally speaking, time-related variables show higher figures in the men’s final than in the women’s. Smash, net and lob shots occur more frequently in the men’s final, whereas clear, drop and drive shots are used more often in the women’s final. The hitting of the shuttlecock without any previous movement redominates over the rest or movements for both genders. In the training field, these findings may be used by coaches in order to improve athletes’ performance. In research field, it could be a new way to obtain information that had not been previously taken into account.SIThis research has been made possible thanks to funding from the Generalitat Valenciana through the scholarship for hiring research personnel in training of VALi+d programme

    Badminton World Championship stress zones and performance factors: The key to success through log-linear analysis

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    [EN] The main purpose was to analyse the frequency and effectiveness of different kind of shots and players’ footwork performed by single men badminton players on World Championship depending on court zone. 18 matches were randomly selected and evaluated with a total of 1,273 points and 5,710 play actions. The most stressed court zone is Z5 and Z8 (middle zone) followed by Z10 (deep and lateral zone), while the most successful areas are Z8 (left middle zone) and Z10. When analysing footwork depending on distance covered by players, large footwork is performed mostly to Z1 and Z2. Hitting the shuttlecock with no previous movement is the most common situation from Z4 and Z5. When gathering in three court zones, the most stressed one is middle zone with similar values for Net and deep court zone. On the contrary, the most successfully gathered court zone is deep one, followed by middle and Net zones.SIGeneralitat Valenciana ACIF projects [Grant number 2016/121], Universidad Católica de Valencia “San Vicente Mártir” project, Estudios en el deporte de élite desde los Mixed Methods, técnicas de análisis de estudios comparativos [UCV2017/230/002

    Players’ On-Court Movements and Contextual Variables in Badminton World Championship

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    [EN] This study aimed to analyze the elite badminton players’ on-court movements related to contextual variables (game, round, and match status). A total of 18 matches of the Jakarta 2015 World Championship (1,273 points and 5,710 play actions) were examined by univariate and bivariate analyses. Significant differences were found when comparing the players’ on-court movements related to game, round, and match status (p < 0.05). All movements were executed more frequently in game 2, with the exception of diagonal large backward left (DLBL), diagonal short backward left (DSBL), diagonal short backward right (DSBR), and longitudinal short backward (LSB). The results obtained related to the round showed that longitudinal large backward (LLB) was the most frequent footwork in R1/16 and R1/2, diagonal short forward left (DSFL) was the most frequent one for R1/4, and transversal short right (TSR) was the most used movement for the final round. According to match status, no movement (NM) was the most common situation before hitting the shuttlecock at any moment during the match. This study shows how contextual variables modulate the elite players’ on-court movements. This information could be valuable for coaches and players, allowing them to better understand the players’ behavior in a competition, which could be used to design more specific training tasks and prepare match strategies in order to improve the players’ performance in competitions.SIGeneralitat Valenciana ACIF2016/121Universidad Católica de Valencia San Vicente Márti

    Hepatic Expression of Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 in Underfed Pregnant Ewes

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    The liver is one of the most important visceral organs, which represents a large contribution to whole animal energy expenditure and the major synthetic site of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) peptide. Decreased plane of nutrition acts by reducing the metabolic rate and mass of metabolic tissues, such as liver. Also, undernutrition results in the reduced circulating IGF-1 concentrations, due to the uncoupled growth hormone-IGF (GH-IGF) axis. This study investigated whether a 22-day period of undernutrition (half maintenance) could affect liver mass and IGF-1 protein and gene expression. Sixteen pregnant ewes fed all (n = 9) or half (n = 7) of their maintenance energy requirements were slaughtered on day 7 of pregnancy (oestrus = day 0). Body and liver mass, IGF-1 plasmatic concentrations and liver IGF-1 mRNA and protein expression were determined. Liver mass and the proportion of liver mass to empty body weight were lower in underfed animals. While IGF-1 plasmatic concentrations were lower in undernourished ewes, no differences in liver mRNA expression were found. This is the first time that differences in immunohistochemistry intensity and total content are reported in sheep. In summary, the decreased plasma IGF-1 concentrations induced by undernutrition in ewes was not associated with its reduced hepatic mRNA or protein expression, but to a decrease in liver mass

    Gastrointestinal tract gene expression in ewes under feed restriction.

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    The gastrointestinal tract is known to adapt itself to changes in feed conditions and is the source of various signals that regulate feed intake and energy homeostasis. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the effect of a feed restriction period in the mRNA expression of target genes related to feed intake. The study was conducted in a randomized block ..

    Effect of chondroitin sulfate on intraocular pressure in rats

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    PURPOSE: To study the effect of intracameral injections of chondroitin sulfate (CS) on intraocular pressure (IOP), retinal function, and histology in rats. METHODS: Acute or chronic injections of CS were performed unilaterally in the rat anterior chamber, whereas the contralateral eye was injected with vehicle. IOP was daily or weekly assessed by a tonometer. Retinal function was assessed by scotopic electroretinography (ERG) and the visual pathway by flash visual evoked potentials (VEPs), whereas the retinal and optic nerve head structure were examined by histologic analysis. RESULTS: A single injection of 8 mg (but not 2 or 4 mg) CS induced a significant increase of IOP. The increase of IOP induced by a single injection of 8 mg CS lasted for 7 days, whereas chronic (weekly) administration during 10 weeks induced a significant and sustained increase in IOP compared with eyes injected with vehicle. A significant decrease of scotopic ERG a- and b- wave amplitude was observed after 6 and 10 weeks of CS administration. Moreover, a significant decrease in scotopic flash VEP N2-P2 component amplitude was observed in eyes treated with CS for 6 and 10 weeks. A significant loss of ganglion cell layer cells and optic nerve axons was observed in eyes receiving CS for 10 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that exogenous CS simulates the accumulation of CS in primary open-angle glaucoma and that increased amounts of CS could play a key role in the IOP dysregulation characteristic of glaucoma.Fil: Belforte, Nicolás Adalberto. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Laboratorio de Neuroquímica Retiniana y Oftalmología Experimental; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Departamento de Bioquímica Humana; ArgentinaFil: Sande Casal, Pablo Horacio. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Laboratorio de Neuroquímica Retiniana y Oftalmología Experimental; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Departamento de Bioquímica Humana; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: de Zavalia, Nuria Maria Asuncion. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Laboratorio de Neuroquímica Retiniana y Oftalmología Experimental; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Departamento de Bioquímica Humana; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos; ArgentinaFil: Knepper, Paul A.. University of Illinois; Estados UnidosFil: Rosenstein, Ruth Estela. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Laboratorio de Neuroquímica Retiniana y Oftalmología Experimental; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Departamento de Bioquímica Humana; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos; Argentin

    Differential tolerance of native and invasive tree seedlings from arid African deserts to drought and shade

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    Efforts to understand why some species become successful invaders and why some habitats are more at risk from invasive species is an important research focus in invasion ecology. With current global climate change, evaluation of the effects of shade and drought on cohabiting native and invasive species from extreme ecosystems is especially important. Acacia tortilis subsp. raddiana is a tree taxon native to arid African deserts. Prosopis glandulosa, native to the southwestern United States and Mexico, is invading African arid and semiarid regions that are habitat for A. t. subsp. raddiana. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the tolerance and responses of the seedlings of these two tree species to shade, water stress and their interactions. We measured and recorded growth rates and morphological, biochemical and physiological plant traits under two radiation and two water treatments in greenhouse conditions. Radiation intensity was a stronger driver of the performance of both species than water availability. Beyond the independent effects of shade and drought, the interactions of these factors yielded synergistic effects on seedlings of both tree species, affecting key plant traits. The seedlings of A. t. subsp. raddiana were able to implement important shifts in key functional traits in response to altering abiotic stress conditions, behaving as a stress-tolerant species that is well-adapted to the habitat it occupies in hot arid African deserts. In contrast, the fast-growing seedlings of P. glandulosa were stress-avoiding. The alien P. glandulosa seedlings were highly sensitive to water and shade stress. Moreover, they were particularly sensitive to drought in shade conditions. However, although alien P. glandulosa seedlings were exposed to high stress levels, they were able to avoid permanent damage to their photosynthetic apparatus by mechanisms such as increasing energy dissipation by heat emission and by adjusting the relative allocation of resources to above- and below-ground structures. Our results are useful for conservation planning and restoration of invaded hyperarid ecosystems
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