Energetic cost of running with and without the ball in male basketball players

This study aimed to assess the energetic cost ( C) at different running conditions (RC) with/without the ball (1000m at 80% of VO(2)max) during: Linear running, Shuttle running (180 degrees), Linear running with stop and restart, between two groups according to the position/role (guards: n=15; forwards/centres: n=15). Experimental approach to the problem required the following tests/devices: a portable Metabolimeter was used to assess the metabolic parameters for each RC, Squat Jump (OptoJump) to assess the strength's decrease differences of the lower limbs before/ after each test and Ratings of Perceived Exertion (RPE) after each RC to assess the training load, while the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS-IMU) was used to assess the body inclinations and Acceleration/ Deceleration for each RC. The T-test was used for independent samples and Two-way repeated measures ANOVA was used to assess the significant differences for each variable between each RC. The results of this study could be useful not only for coaches to optimize basketball training load related to the RC (with and without the ball), but also to optimize the motor learning in young basketball players and to optimize the load of work in relation to the position and energetic capacities of players. The main evidence of this study has confirmed initial hypothesis, showing a different metabolic expenditure in the six running conditions ( Linear Running, Linear Running & Stop and restart, Shuttle run with and without ball) and between the two groups taken in consideration (Guards and Forwards/Centres). In addition, different energetic cost between the two groups increases even more during the running with the ball compared to running without the ball

Physical education teaching in Italian primary school: theoretical lines and operational proposals

Background and Study Aim For the new reform to be applied in the best possible way, it is a priority and useful to promote the development of knowledge on the organization and methods of teaching/learning in physical education in primary school. This study aims to search for a new didactic organizational model for physical education in primary school, starting from the theoretical lines, showing the contrasts of the significant aspects and the uniqueness of heuristic learning, with a consequent theoretical and argumentative elaboration of operational proposals.Material and Methods For this purpose, an accurate survey of the scientific literature has been analyzed, highlighting the critical issues that characterized the various proposals and attempt to implement physical activity and sports education courses in primary school over the years, up to the recent legislative innovation.Results The path of the definition of physical education in primary school was marked by stages that did not always enhance the educational and training dimension of the motor and sports experience, making the school discipline assume a marginal and optional role in the face of an extracurricular practice characterized by a widespread organization and more capable of intercepting and responding to the physical exercise and sport needs of society. This complex situation has only generated confusion without solving the problem of the absence of physical and sporting activity in the 5-10 age group, as required by the World Health Organization and the European Union, by adequately and uniquely qualified teachers. It is now useful to promote the development of knowledge on the didactic organization of the primary school, on the different teaching/learning methods in physical education, to contextualize the scope of the new legal provision to the current legal framework.Conclusions The study highlights the value of a new approach in teacher training that aims to ensure the acquisition of key competence, according to the Recommendation of the European Parliament. This perspective can be easily realized by using a core curriculum uniformly applied at the national level

Study of the 12C+12C fusion reactions near the Gamow energy

The fusion reactions 12C(12C,a)20Ne and 12C(12C,p)23Na have been studied from E = 2.10 to 4.75 MeV by gamma-ray spectroscopy using a C target with ultra-low hydrogen contamination. The deduced astrophysical S(E)* factor exhibits new resonances at E <= 3.0 MeV, in particular a strong resonance at E = 2.14 MeV, which lies at the high-energy tail of the Gamow peak. The resonance increases the present non-resonant reaction rate of the alpha channel by a factor of 5 near T = 8x10^8 K. Due to the resonance structure, extrapolation to the Gamow energy E_G = 1.5 MeV is quite uncertain. An experimental approach based on an underground accelerator placed in a salt mine in combination with a high efficiency detection setup could provide data over the full E_G energy range.Comment: 4 Pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication in Phys. Rev. Let

Anomalous enhancements of low-energy fusion rates in plasmas: the role of ion momentum distributions and inhomogeneous screening

Non-resonant fusion cross-sections significantly higher than corresponding theoretical predictions are observed in low-energy experiments with deuterated matrix target. Models based on thermal effects, electron screening, or quantum-effect dispersion relations have been proposed to explain these anomalous results: none of them appears to satisfactory reproduce the experiments. Velocity distributions are fundamental for the reaction rates and deviations from the Maxwellian limit could play a central role in explaining the enhancement. We examine two effects: an increase of the tail of the target Deuteron momentum distribution due to the Galitskii-Yakimets quantum uncertainty effect, which broadens the energy-momentum relation; and spatial fluctuations of the Debye-H\"{u}ckel radius leading to an effective increase of electron screening. Either effect leads to larger reaction rates especially large at energies below a few keV, reducing the discrepancy between observations and theoretical expectations.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figure

Small oligonucleotides detection in three-dimensional polymer network of dna-peg hydrogels

The control of the three-dimensional (3D) polymer network structure is important for permselective materials when specific biomolecule detection is needed. Here we investigate conditions to obtain a tailored hydrogel network that combines both molecular filtering and molecular capture capabilities for biosensing applications. Along this line, short oligonucleotide detection in a displacement assay is set within PEGDA hydrogels synthetized by UV radical photopolymerization. To provide insights on the molecular filter capability, diffusion studies of several probes (sulforho-damine G and dextrans) with different hydrodynamic radii were carried out using NMR technique. Moreover, fluorometric analyses of hybridization of DNA oligonucleotides inside PEGDA hydrogels shed light on the mechanisms of recognition in 3D, highlighting that mesh size and crowding effect greatly impact the hybridization mechanism on a polymer network. Finally, we found the best probe density and diffusion transport conditions to allow the specific oligonucleotide capture and detection inside PEGDA hydrogels for oligonucleotide detection and the filtering out of higher molecular weight molecules

Post-transplant cerebral toxoplasmosis diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging.

Cerebral toxoplasmosis is a rare late complication in allogeneic bone marrow transplanted patients. Neuroradiological findings may suggest the correct diagnosis. We report a patient in whom cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a lesion characteristic of toxoplasmosis. Anti- toxoplasma treatment led to clinical and radiological improvement. MRI seems to be a valid tool for detection and follow-up of cerebral toxoplasmosis

Fusion rate enhancement due to energy spread of colliding nuclei

Experimental results for sub-barrier nuclear fusion reactions show cross section enhancements with respect to bare nuclei which are generally larger than those expected according to electron screening calculations. We point out that energy spread of target or projectile nuclei is a mechanism which generally provides fusion enhancement. We present a general formula for calculating the enhancement factor and we provide quantitative estimate for effects due to thermal motion, vibrations inside atomic, molecular or crystal system, and due to finite beam energy width. All these effects are marginal at the energies which are presently measurable, however they have to be considered in future experiments at still lower energies. This study allows to exclude several effects as possible explanation of the observed anomalous fusion enhancements, which remain a mistery.Comment: 17 pages with 3 ps figure included. Revtex styl

Screening enhancement factors for laboratory CNO and rp astrophysical reactions

Cross sections of laboratory CNO and rp astrophysical reactions are enhanced due to the presence of the multi-electron cloud that surrounds the target nuclei. As a result the relevant astrophysical factors are overestimated unless corrected appropriately. This study gives both an estimate of the error committed if screening effects are not taken into account and a rough profile of the laboratory energy thresholds at which the screening effect appears. The results indicate that, for most practical purposes, screening corrections to past relevant experiments can be disregarded. Regarding future experiments, however, screening corrections to the CNO reactions will certainly be of importance as they are closely related to the solar neutrino fluxes and the rp process. Moreover, according to the present results, screening effects will have to be taken into account particularly by the current and future LUNA experiments, where screened astrophysical factors will be enhanced to a significant degree.Comment: 6 RevTex pages + 2 ps figures. (Revised version). Accepted for publication in Journal of Physics