Influence of opposition team formation on physical and skill-related performance in a professional soccer team

This study examined the influence of opposition team formation on physical and skill-related performance in a professional soccer team. Performance in forty-five French League 1 matches played over three competitive seasons (2007-08, 2008-09, and 2009-10) was analysed using multi-camera computerised tracking. Players (n=21) in the reference team (using a 4-3-3/4-5-1 formation) were analysed in matches against three opposition team formations: 4-4-2 (11 games), 4-3-3/4-5-1 (16 games) and 4-2-3-1 (18 games). Performance was compared for defending and midfield units as a whole and individually across four positions: fullbacks, central-defenders and central- and wide-midfielders. Collectively, players covered a greater total distance (p<0.05) and distance in low/moderate-intensity running (0-14.3km/h) (p<0.05) in matches against a 4-2-3-1 compared to a 4-4-2 formation. Distance covered in high-intensity (14.4-19.7km/h) and very high-intensity running (≥19.8km/h) was not affected by opposition formation. In contrast, players covered more distance in total high-intensity performance (≥14.4km/h) when the reference team was in possession against a 4-4-2 compared to a 4-2-3-1 formation (p<0.05) while more distance was run at these speeds when the reference team was out of possession against a 4-2-3-1 (p<0.01) and a 4-3-3 (p<0.05) compared to a 4-4-2 formation. Players ran less distance at low/moderate intensities in the second- versus first-half of matches against all three formations (p<0.01 to p<0.05) whereas total distance and high-intensity performance was unaffected. None of the measures of physical performance across the individual playing positions were affected by opposition team formation. Skill-related performance varied according to opposition formation: players as a whole performed more passes versus a 4-4-2 than a 4-2-3-1 (p<0.01), ground and aerial duels versus a 4-2-3-1 compared to a 4-4-2 (both p<0.01); 1-touch passes versus a 4-2-3-1 compared to a 4-4-2 (p<0.01) and a 4-3-3/4-5-1 (p<0.05). The mean number of touches per possession was highest versus a 4-4-2 compared to a 4-3-3/4-5-1 (p<0.01) and a 4-2-3-1 (p<0.01). While skill-related performance across the four individual playing positions was generally unaffected by opposition team formation, mean pass length was greater in central-midfielders against a 4-4-2 compared to 4-3-3/4-5-1 (p<0.05) and 4-2-3-1 (p<0.01) formations. In general, these findings suggest that physical performance in the reference team was not greatly affected by opposition team formation. In contrast, skill-related demands varied substantially according to opponent formation and may have consequences for tactical and technical preparation and team selection policies

Quelle régulation pour l’arrêt d’un protocole de recherche clinique de thérapie génique somatique ? État des lieux auprès des cliniciens-chercheurs européens

Depuis 2002, le débat sur les risques associés à la thérapie génique est initié suite à l’annonce que deux enfants inclus dans un essai thérapeutique impliquant une thérapie génique ont développé des effets indésirables important. En Janvier 2005, le débat sur les risques reprit suite à l’interruption du protocole sur les enfants bulle du Pr Fischer à l’hôpital Necker de Paris. Nous avons donc étudié le processus impliqué ainsi que la réflexion éthique associée aux décisions d’arrêt de protocole de recherche. Notre travail a été mené par une équipe pluridisciplinaire combinant chercheurs en santé, généticiens et éthiciens. Nous avons étudié la participation des chercheurs, des patients, des institutions officielles, des comités d’éthique ainsi que des associations de patients dans le processus de décision d’interruption d’un protocole de recherche.Nous avons également analysé les critères jugés les plus pertinents dans l’arrêt d’un protocole de recherche. Enfin nous avons analysé le point de vue des personnes directement impliquées dans la thérapie génique au moyen d’un questionnaire. Toutes les personnes contactées ont présenté un poster de recherche au congrès de la Société Européenne de Thérapie Génique. 62 personnes d’autant d’équipes de recherche différentes, de 17 pays, sur les 350 contactés ont répondu. Selon eux, la décision d’arrêt d’un protocole de recherche doit être prise suite à une consultation des chercheurs, des patients, du ministère de tutelle, d’une agence nationale de régulation ou d’un comité d’éthique ; la légitimité étant accordée à des décisions prises en commun par les chercheurs, les patients et les comités d’éthique. Les incidents sérieux et de façon plus surprenante, les incidents moins graves sont jugés comme étant des critères suffisants pour interrompre un essai. Nous avons fini par analyser les conséquences éthiques, telles que balance bénéfice/risque, processus de régulation ou responsabilité, de ces critères sur l’arrêt d’un protocole de recherche.In 2002, the debate on the risks of gene therapy was initiated following the annoucement that two children included in a clinical trial developed serious adverse effects. In January 2005, the debate was reignited following the interruption of the “bubble kids protocol” at the Hôpital Necker in Paris. We have thus investigated the ethical stakes involved in decisions to stop protocols. This work was carried out by a multidisciplinary team combining ethics researchers and geneticists. We studied the specific participation of researchers, patients, official institution, ethics committees and patient associations in the processes that can lead to an interruption of trial.We also analysed the criterion judged most relevant for halting a trial. Finally, we analyzed the perspective of the actors implicated directly in the provision of gene therapy, by means of a questionnaire. All the individuals contacted had presented a scientific poster at the European Society of Gene Therapy. 62 out of 350 persons, from 17 countries, responded to our questionnaire. According to these respondants, decisions to stop a trial should be taken after consultation with researchers, patients, the ministry, national agencies or ethics committees. Legitimacy was accorded to joint decision-making by researchers, patients and committees. Serious incidents, and surprisingly less serious incidents, clearly emerge as criterion for stopping a trial. We conclude by analyzing the ethical consequences, such as risk/benefit ratios, regulatory processes and responsibility, associated with these criterions and decisions to stop a trial

The structure of the protoplanetary disk surrounding three young intermediate mass stars. II. Spatially resolved dust and gas distribution

[Abridged] We present the first direct comparison of the distribution of the gas, as traced by the [OI] 6300 AA emission, and the dust, as traced by the 10 micron emission, in the protoplanetary disk around three intermediate-mass stars: HD 101412, HD 135344 B and HD 179218. N-band visibilities were obtained with VLTI/MIDI. Simple geometrical models are used to compare the dust emission to high-resolution optical spectra in the 6300 AA [OI] line of the same targets. The disks around HD 101412 and HD 135344 B appear strongly flared in the gas, but self-shadowed in the dust beyond ~ 2 AU. In both systems, the 10 micron emission is rather compact (< 2 AU) while the [OI] brightness profile shows a double peaked structure. The inner peak is strongest and is consistent with the location of the dust, the outer peak is fainter and is located at 5-10 AU. Spatially extended PAH emission is found in both disks. The disk around HD 179218 is flared in the dust. The 10 micron emission emerges from a double ring-like structure with the first ring peaking at ~ 1 AU and the second at ~ 20 AU. No dust emission is detected between ~ 3 -- 15 AU. The oxygen emission seems also to come from a flared structure, however, the bulk of this emission is produced between ~ 1 -- 10 AU. This could indicate a lack of gas in the outer disk or could be due to chemical effects which reduce the abundance of OH -- the parent molecule of the observed [OI] emission -- further away from the star. The three systems, HD 179218, HD 135344 B and HD 101412, may form an evolutionary sequence: the disk initially flared becomes flat under the combined action of gas-dust decoupling, grain growth and dust settling.Comment: Accepted for publication in A&

Mitochondrial phylogenomics of the Bivalvia (Mollusca): searching for the origin and mitogenomic correlates of doubly uniparental inheritance of mtDNA

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Doubly uniparental inheritance (DUI) is an atypical system of animal mtDNA inheritance found only in some bivalves. Under DUI, maternally (F genome) and paternally (M genome) transmitted mtDNAs yield two distinct gender-associated mtDNA lineages. The oldest distinct M and F genomes are found in freshwater mussels (order Unionoida). Comparative analyses of unionoid mitochondrial genomes and a robust phylogenetic framework are necessary to elucidate the origin, function and molecular evolutionary consequences of DUI. Herein, F and M genomes from three unionoid species, <it>Venustaconcha ellipsiformis, Pyganodon grandis </it>and <it>Quadrula quadrula </it>have been sequenced. Comparative genomic analyses were carried out on these six genomes along with two F and one M unionoid genomes from GenBank (F and M genomes of <it>Inversidens japanensis </it>and F genome of <it>Lampsilis ornata</it>).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Compared to their unionoid F counterparts, the M genomes contain some unique features including a novel localization of the <it>trnH </it>gene, an inversion of the <it>atp8-trnD </it>genes and a unique 3'coding extension of the cytochrome <it>c </it>oxidase subunit II gene. One or more of these unique M genome features could be causally associated with paternal transmission. Unionoid bivalves are characterized by extreme intraspecific sequence divergences between gender-associated mtDNAs with an average of 50% for <it>V. ellipsiformis</it>, 50% for <it>I. japanensis</it>, 51% for <it>P. grandis </it>and 52% for <it>Q. quadrula </it>(uncorrected amino acid p-distances). Phylogenetic analyses of 12 protein-coding genes from 29 bivalve and five outgroup mt genomes robustly indicate bivalve monophyly and the following branching order within the autolamellibranch bivalves: ((Pteriomorphia, Veneroida) Unionoida).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The basal nature of the Unionoida within the autolamellibranch bivalves and the previously hypothesized single origin of DUI suggest that (1) DUI arose in the ancestral autolamellibranch bivalve lineage and was subsequently lost in multiple descendant lineages and (2) the mitochondrial genome characteristics observed in unionoid bivalves could more closely resemble the DUI ancestral condition. Descriptions and comparisons presented in this paper are fundamental to a more complete understanding regarding the origins and consequences of DUI.</p

EphA4 signaling regulates phospholipase Cgamma1 activation, cofilin membrane association, and dendritic spine morphology

Specialized postsynaptic structures known as dendritic spines are the primary sites of glutamatergic innervation at synapses of the CNS. Previous studies have shown that spines rapidly remodel their actin cytoskeleton to modify their shape and this has been associated with changes in synaptic physiology. However, the receptors and signaling intermediates that restructure the actin network in spines are only beginning to be identified. We reported previously that the EphA4 receptor tyrosine kinase regulates spine morphology. However, the signaling pathways downstream of EphA4 that induce spine retraction on ephrin ligand binding remain poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that ephrin stimulation of EphA4 leads to the recruitment and activation of phospholipase Cgamma1 (PLCgamma1) in heterologous cells and in hippocampal slices. This interaction occurs through an Src homology 2 domain of PLCgamma1 and requires the EphA4 juxtamembrane tyrosines. In the brain, PLCgamma1 is found in multiple compartments of synaptosomes and is readily found in postsynaptic density fractions. Consistent with this, PLC activity is required for the maintenance of spine morphology and ephrin-induced spine retraction. Remarkably, EphA4 and PLC activity modulate the association of the actin depolymerizing/severing factor cofilin with the plasma membrane. Because cofilin has been implicated previously in the structural plasticity of spines, this signaling may enable cofilin to depolymerize actin filaments and restructure spines at sites of ephrin-EphA4 contact

Associations of cannabis use disorder with cognition, brain structure, and brain function in African Americans

Although previous studies have highlighted associations of cannabis use with cognition and brain morphometry, critical questions remain with regard to the association between cannabis use and brain structural and functional connectivity. In a cross-sectional community sample of 205 African Americans (age 18–70) we tested for associations of cannabis use disorder (CUD, n = 57) with multi-domain cognitive measures and structural, diffusion, and resting state brain-imaging phenotypes. Post hoc model evidence was computed with Bayes factors (BF) and posterior probabilities of association (PPA) to account for multiple testing. General cognitive functioning, verbal intelligence, verbal memory, working memory, and motor speed were lower in the CUD group compared with nonusers (p \u3c .011; 1.9 \u3c BF \u3c 3,217). CUD was associated with altered functional connectivity in a network comprising the motor-hand region in the superior parietal gyri and the anterior insula (p \u3c .04). These differences were not explained by alcohol, other drug use, or education. No associations with CUD were observed in cortical thickness, cortical surface area, subcortical or cerebellar volumes (0.12 \u3c BF \u3c 1.5), or graph-theoretical metrics of resting state connectivity (PPA \u3c 0.01). In a large sample collected irrespective of cannabis used to minimize recruitment bias, we confirm the literature on poorer cognitive functioning in CUD, and an absence of volumetric brain differences between CUD and non-CUD. We did not find evidence for or against a disruption of structural connectivity, whereas we did find localized resting state functional dysconnectivity in CUD. There was sufficient proof, however, that organization of functional connectivity as determined via graph metrics does not differ between CUD and non-user group

Depth-dependent intracortical myelin organization in the living human brain determined by in vivo ultra-high field magnetic resonance imaging

Background: Intracortical myelin is a key determinant of neuronal synchrony and plasticity that underpin optimal brain function. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) facilitates the examination of intracortical myelin but presents with methodological challenges. Here we describe a whole-brain approach for the in vivo investigation of intracortical myelin in the human brain using ultra-high field MRI. Methods: Twenty-five healthy adults were imaged in a 7 Tesla MRI scanner using diffusion-weighted imaging and a T 1 -weighted sequence optimized for intracortical myelin contrast. Using an automated pipeline, T 1 values were extracted at 20 depth-levels from each of 148 cortical regions. In each cortical region, T 1 values were used to infer myelin concentration and to construct a non-linearity index as a measure the spatial distribution of myelin across the cortical ribbon. The relationship of myelin concentration and the non-linearity index with other neuroanatomical properties were investigated. Five patients with multiple sclerosis were also assessed using the same protocol as positive controls. Results: Intracortical T 1 values decreased between the outer brain surface and the gray-white matter boundary following a slope that showed a slight leveling between 50% and 75% of cortical depth. Higher-order regions in the prefrontal, cingulate and insular cortices, displayed higher non-linearity indices than sensorimotor regions. Across all regions, there was a positive association between T 1 values and non-linearity indices (P &lt; 10 125 ). Both T 1 values (P &lt; 10 125 ) and non-linearity indices (P &lt; 10 1215 ) were associated with cortical thickness. Higher myelin concentration but only in the deepest cortical levels was associated with increased subcortical fractional anisotropy (P = 0.05). Conclusions: We demonstrate the usefulness of an automatic, whole-brain method to perform depth-dependent examination of intracortical myelin organization. The extracted metrics, T 1 values and the non-linearity index, have characteristic patterns across cortical regions, and are associated with thickness and underlying white matter microstructure

Robust Online Hamiltonian Learning

In this work we combine two distinct machine learning methodologies, sequential Monte Carlo and Bayesian experimental design, and apply them to the problem of inferring the dynamical parameters of a quantum system. We design the algorithm with practicality in mind by including parameters that control trade-offs between the requirements on computational and experimental resources. The algorithm can be implemented online (during experimental data collection), avoiding the need for storage and post-processing. Most importantly, our algorithm is capable of learning Hamiltonian parameters even when the parameters change from experiment-to-experiment, and also when additional noise processes are present and unknown. The algorithm also numerically estimates the Cramer-Rao lower bound, certifying its own performance.Comment: 24 pages, 12 figures; to appear in New Journal of Physic