Probing ferroelectricity in PbZr

The reduction in symmetry associated with the onset of ferroelectric order in PbZr{sub 0.2}Ti{sub 0.8}O{sub 3} (PZT) thin films leads to a pronounced difference at the Ti L{sub 3,2} absorption edges between spectra measured with the x-ray linear polarization perpendicular and parallel to the ferroelectric polarization. We introduce a general method to analyze the observed difference spectra using atomic multiplet calculations. Moreover, we find experimental evidence for structural changes in PZT induced by the reversal of the ferroelectric polarization

Near-edge x-ray absorption fine structure investigation of graphene

We report the near-edge x-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectrum of a single layer of graphite (graphene) obtained by micromechanical cleavage of Highly Ordered Pyrolytic Graphite (HOPG) on a SiO2 substrate. We utilized a PhotoEmission Electron Microscope (PEEM) to separately study single- double- and few-layers graphene (FLG) samples. In single-layer graphene we observe a splitting of the pi* resonance and a clear signature of the predicted interlayer state. The NEXAFS data illustrate the rapid evolution of the electronic structure with the increased number of layers.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

Comparison of covered distances by u14 players in competition

[ES] Introducción En fútbol, el patrón de actividad de jugadores adultos, ha sido ampliamente estudiado, pero son escasos los que han centrado su atención en el análisis de los desplazamientos de los jugadores de categorías infantiles (Barbero et al., 2007). El objetivo es cuantificar la distancia total y tipos de intensidades que recorren los jugadores de un equipo infantil en competición. Método La muestra la forman 16 jugadores de fútbol infantil con una edad media de 12.69 años (± .479). Para la obtención de los datos, se utilizó un acelerómetro de tres ejes más giroscopio de tres ejes, extrayendo los resultados con la aplicación Zepp Play Soccer en concreto: distancia total recorrida, andando, en carrera y en sprint. Todos los datos fueron recogidos en partidos oficiales de la categoría infantil, en los cuatro primeros partidos de la liga. Resultados Los principales resultados medios de distancia total recorrida son de 4288.44 m. (± 1410.31), andando realizaron 2463 m. (± 904.31), en carrera 1520.94 m. (± 761.71) y en sprint 304.61 m. (± 266.02). Por puestos, el jugador que menos distancia total realiza es el portero 2862 m. (± 172.26) y el que más son los medios centros con 4662.58 m. (± 1513.57) y con datos similares defensas y delanteros. Sin embargo, en cuanto a la distancia en sprint son los delanteros y extremos los que más acciones a máxima intensidad realizan con una media de 545.44 M. (± 273.84), seguido por los medios centros y el que menor distancia recorre es el portero. Por último, existen diferencias significativas (p< .05) en la distancia corriendo entre el portero y el resto de puestos, y entre defensa y medios siendo mayor en los medios centros. También en el sprint, el portero con medios centros y delanteros, y entre delanteros con el resto, al realizar más metros en sprint los delanteros que el resto. Discusión y Conclusiones Los resultados del estudio muestran que en edades infantiles ya habría que comenzar con entrenamientos por puestos y adaptar las tareas de entrenamiento a las exigencias de los jugadores en sus respectivos puestos de juego, del mismo modo a lo que indica Echeazarra (2014).[EN] Introduction In football, the activity pattern of adult players has been widely studied, but there are few who have focused their attention on the analysis of the movements of the trainees (Barbero et al., 2007). The aim is to quantify the total distance and types of intensities that U14 players covered in competition. Method The sample is formed by 16 U14 football players with an average age of 12.69 years (± .479). The data were obtained with a three-axis accelerometer plus three-axis gyroscope, extracting the results with the Zepp Play Soccer application, in particular: total distance covered, walking, running and sprinting. All data was collected in official matches of U14 category, in the first four games of the league Results The main average results of total covered distance are 4288.44 m. (± 1410.31), walking perform 2463 m. (± 904.31), running 1520.94 m. (± 761.71) and in sprint 304.61 m. (± 266.02). By positions, the player with the least total distance is the goalkeeper 2862 m. (± 172.26) and the most midfielders with 4662.58 m. (± 1513.57) and with similar data defenders and forwards. However, in terms of sprinting distance, forwards, right midfielder and left midfielder are the players who cover most actions at maximum intensity with an average of 545.44 M. (± 273.84), followed by the midfielders and the shortest distance runs through the goalkeeper. Finally, there are significant differences (p< .05) in the running distance between the goalkeeper and the other posts, and between defenders and midfielders. Also in the sprint, there are significant differences, between the goalkeeper with midfielders and forwards, and forwards with the rest of the players, to make more meters in sprint. Discussion and Conclusions The results of the study show that in U14 players would be necessary to begin with training for positions and adapt the training tasks to the players´ demands in their respective game positions, in the same way as Echeazarra (2014).S

Effect of small sided games on motor coordination and coda of u-12 football players

[ES] El fútbol de alto nivel es muy estudiado, no siendo así las etapas de formación (González-Villoria, García-López & Contreras-Jordán, 2015). En este ámbito los cambios de dirección (CODA) y la coordinación son elementos importantes para el rendimiento (Pardeiro & Yanci, 2017). Los Small Side Games (SSGs) son juegos reducidos que simulan las características propias del fútbol (Rampinini et al., 2007). Método Para la obtención de los datos se les aplicó el test de coordinación motriz SportComp validado por Ruiz-Pérez, et al., (2017). Para la medida de los CODA se utiliza el MAT T (Modified Agility Test), sin y con balón. Se realizan ocho sesiones de SSGs en el grupo experimental (GE) y con metodología tradicional en el grupo control (GC). El GE lo forman 15 jugadores con edad media de 10.73 años y el GC lo forman 12 jugadores con edad media de 10.42 años. Resultados El GE mejoran en todas las variables, existiendo diferencias significativas (p <0.05), a excepción de “saltos a la pata coja” en la coordinación. En los CODA mejoran la media en el restest tanto con balón como sin balón, con diferencias significativas en el caso de los CODA con balón (regate y conducción). El GC sólo mejora en el desplazamiento sobre soportes, con diferencias significativas negativas en tres de las cinco variables de coordinación, y en los CODA no presentan resultados superiores en el retest ni diferencias significativas. Discusión y conclusiones La aplicación de un programa de entrenamiento basado en SSGs mejora la coordinación motriz y los CODA (con y sin balón) de jugadores Sub-12, con mejoras significativas tras la intervención. Los SSGs mejoran los factores que afectan al rendimiento de los jugadores de fútbol.[EN] High-level football is well studied, but the stages of formation are not (Gonzalez-Villoria, García-López & Contreras-Jordán, 2015). In this area, changes of direction (CODA) and the coordination are important elements for sport performance (Pardeiro & Yanci, 2017). Small Side Games (SSGs) are small games that simulate the characteristics of football (Rampinini et al, 2007). Method In order to obtain the data, the motor coordination test SportComp validated by Ruiz-Pérez, et al., (2017) was applied. For the measurement of CODA the MAT T (Modified Agility Test) is used, without and with a ball. There are eight sessions of SSGs in the experimental group (EG) and with traditional methodology in the control group (CG). The GE is made up of 15 players with an average age of 10.73 years and the CG is made up of 12 players with an average age of 10.42 years. Results The EG improve in all the variables, with significant differences (p <0.05), with the exception of "jumps to the lame leg", in the motor coordination. In the CODA, they improve the average in the restest both, with and without ball, with differences significant in the case of the CODA with a ball (dribbling and driving). CG only improves in the “displacement on supports”, with significant negative differences in three of the five variables in motor coordination, and in the CODA they do not present superior results in the retest nor differences significant. Discusión and Conclusions The application of a training program based on SSGs improve motor coordination and the CODA (with and without ball) of U-12 players, with improvements after the intervention. SSGs improve the factors that affect the performance of the football players.S

Comparison of the degree of current and future commitment of u14 football players. Difference by sex

[ES]El fútbol es el deporte más practicado y con mayor repercusión en España, especialmente en hombres, no siendo así en las mujeres (Pérez, et al., 2018). Cada día hay más mujeres y niñas que juegan al fútbol, de ahí la necesidad de estudiar el fútbol formativo por sexos. Así, Peñaloza et al., (2013) definen este concepto como el reflejo del deseo y la resolución de persistir en el esfuerzo deportivo durante cierto periodo de tiempo. Por ello conocer el grado de compromiso deportivo actual y futuro en los jóvenes jugadores, puede conllevar a tomar diferentes directrices para evitar la inactividad, mejorar la promoción deportiva y el burnout (estar quemado) en el deporte, en función del sexo de los jugadores Método Para la obtención de los datos se les aplicó la Escala de Grado de Compromiso Deportivo, en su versión castellana (Belando et al., 2012). Mide dos factores, el compromiso actual y futuro de los jugadores de fútbol. La muestra la componen 36 jugadores sub-14, siendo 18 hombres y 18 mujeres, con edad media de 13.5 años. El cuestionario se aplicó 15 minutos antes del comienzo del entrenamiento respetando la Declaración Ética de Helsinki. Resultados El factor más valorado por los deportistas es el compromiso futuro (M: 4.42), con escasa diferencia con el compromiso actual (M: 4.28). Diferenciando por sexos, las mujeres valoran más el compromiso futuro (M: 4.78) y actual (M: 4.33), los hombres los valoran en menor medida, el compromiso futuro (M: 4.06) y el compromiso actual (M: 4.22). Existen diferencias significativas (p<.05) por sexos en el compromiso futuro (p< .000), es decir, que las mujeres valoran más el compromiso en el futuro frente a los hombres, mientras que en el factor compromiso actual no existen diferencias entre sexos. En el resto de factores como posición o puesto, tanto general como por sexos no existen diferencias significativas. Discusión y Conclusiones Los datos en la categoría infantil indican que son las mujeres las que tienen más compromiso futuro frente a los hombres, pese a las dificultades del fútbol femenino. Se sienten más comprometidas con este deporte, frente a los hombres que no muestran tanto compromiso futuro. Estos datos corroboran los resultados obtenidos por Pérez et al., (2018) en el que las jugadoras tienen un mayor nivel de motivación intrínseca y otros estudios en los que se considera que mayores niveles de compromiso implican una tasa menor de abandono deportivo (Langarica, Gómez & Pelayo, 2018; Torregrosa, 2007).[EN] Football is the most practiced sport with the greatest repercussion in Spain, especially in men, but not in women (Pérez et al., 2018). Every day, there are more women and girls who play football, hence the importance to study formative football by sex. Thus, Peñaloza et al., (2013) define this concept as the reflection of desire and the resolution to resist in sports effort during a certain period of time. Therefore, knowing the degree of current and future sports commitment en young players, can lead to take different guidelines to avoid the inactivity, improve sports promotion and burnout in sport, depending on the sex of the players. Method In order to obtain the data, the Scale of Sports Commitment Degree was applied, in its Spanish version (Belando et al., 2012). It measures two factors, the current and future commitment of football players. The sample is composed of 36 U14 players, 18 men and 18 women with an average age of 13.5 years. The questionnaire was applied 15 minutes before the beginning of the training, respecting the Helsinki Ethical Declaration. Results The most valued factor by football players ir the future commitment (M: 4.42), with little difference with current commitment (M: 4.28). Differentiating by sex, women value future (M: 4.78) and current (M: 4.33) more than men, the future commitment (M: 4.06) and the current commitment (M: 4.22). There are significant differences (p<.05) in the future commitment by sex (p< .000), that is, women value more the commitment in the future in front of men, while in the current commitment factor, there are no significant differences between sex. In the other factors, such as the position of the players, there are no significant differences. Discussion and Conclusions The results in U14 show that women have more future commitment to men, depite the difficultis of women´s football. They feel more committed to this sport, compared to men who do not show so much future commitment. These data corroborate the results obtained by Pérez et al., (2018) in which women players have a higher level of intrinsic motivation and other studies in which it is considered that higher levels of commitment imply a lower rate of sports dropout (Langarica, Gómez & Pelayo, 2018; Torregrosa, 2007).S

One-year study of airborne sugar compounds: cross-interpretation with other chemical species and meteorological conditions

The daily evolution of seventeen sugar compounds (seven saccharides, seven alcohol-saccharides and three anhydrosaccharides) in atmospheric aerosol samples collected between 9 March 2016 and 14 March 2017 was studied in León (Spain). The main links between the concentration of sugar compounds and various chemical species, pollen, fungal spores and meteorological conditions were investigated. The results showed that, in spring, when high levels of metabolic activity of the plants occur and temperatures increase, glucose, sucrose, 2-methyl-erithritol, mannitol, arabitol and inositol, are significantly correlated with airborne pollen concentrations. Between spring and autumn, Alternaria air concentrations are significantly correlated with temperatures, arabitol and sorbitol + adonitol concentrations. Furthermore, during rainy days, Alternaria is also correlated with mannitol. In autumn, lower temperatures cause an increase in the concentrations of levoglucosan, mannosan and galactosan, probably due to the increased use of domestic heating devices. These anhydrosugars and arabinose, fructose and glucose, are significantly correlated with K, NO3−, EC, OC, Cu, Zn, Se, Pb, V and Ni, while mannosan also correlates with As, showing that these anhydrosaccharides can be emitted from different anthropogenic sources. Precipitation causes an increase in glucose and sucrose concentrations, due to the break of pollen particles that produce hundreds of fine size particles. Besides, precipitation causes an increase in arabitol concentrations, due to the release and growth of fungi.publishe

Clinical features and health-related quality of life in adult patients with mucopolysaccharidosis IVA: the Spanish experience

Background: Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) IVA or Morquio A syndrome is a progressive and disabling disease characterized by a deficiency of the enzyme N-acetylgalactosamine-6-sulphate sulphatase. Its clinical presentation is very heterogeneous and poorly understood in adults. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical manifestations of MPS IVA in adult patients in Spain and to assess their health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Results: Thirty-three patients from nine reference centres participated in the study. The median age was 32 (interquartile range [IQR]: 20.5–40.5) years. The phenotype was classical in 54.5% of patients, intermediate in 33.3% of patients, and non-classical in 12.1% of patients. The most common clinical manifestation was bone dysplasia, with a median height of 118 (IQR: 106–136) cm. Other frequent clinical manifestations were hearing loss (75.7%), ligamentous laxity (72.7%), odontoid dysplasia (69.7%), limb deformities that required orthopaedic aids (mainly hip dysplasia and genu valgus) (63.6%), and corneal clouding (60.6%). In addition, 36.0% of patients had obstructive sleep apnoea/hypopnoea syndrome and 33.3% needed non-invasive ventilation. Cervical surgery and varisation osteotomy were the most common surgical interventions (36.4% each). Almost 80% of patients had mobility problems and 36.4% used a wheelchair at all times. Furthermore, 87.9% needed help with self-care, 33.3% were fully dependent, and 78.8% had some degree of pain. HRQoL according to the health assessment questionnaire was 1.43 (IQR: 1.03–2.00) in patients with the non-classical phenotype, but 2.5 (IQR: 1.68–3.00) in those with the classical phenotype. Seven patients were initiated on enzyme replacement therapy (ERT), but two of them were lost to follow-up. Lung function improved in four patients and slightly worsened in one patient. The distance achieved in the six-minute walk test increased in the four patients who could perform it. HRQoL was better in patients treated with elosulfase alfa, with a median (IQR) of 1.75 (1.25–2.34) versus 2.25 (1.62–3.00) in patients not treated with ERT. Conclusions: The study provides real-world data on patients with MPS IVA. Limited mobility, difficulties with self-care, dependence, and pain were common, together with poor HRQoL. The severity and heterogeneity of clinical manifestations require the combined efforts of multidisciplinary teams

Evolution of deformation in neutron-rich Ba isotopes up to A=150

The occurrence of octupolar shapes in the Ba isotopic chain was recently established experimentally up to N = 90. To further extend the systematics, the evolution of shapes in the most neutron-rich members of the Z = 56 isotopic chain accessible at present, Ba-148,Ba-150, has been studied via beta decay at the ISOLDE Decay Station. This paper reports on the first measurement of the positive-and negative-parity low-spin excited states of 150Ba and presents an extension of the beta-decay scheme of Cs-148. Employing the fast timing technique, half-lives for the 2(1)(+) level in both nuclei have been determined, resulting in T-1/2 = 1.51(1) ns for Ba-148 and T-1/2 = 3.4(2) ns for Ba-150. The systematics of low-spin states, together with the experimental determination of the B(E2 : 2(+) -> 0(+)) transition probabilities, indicate an increasing collectivity in Ba148-150, towards prolate deformed shapes. The experimental data are compared to symmetry conserving configuration mixing (SCCM) calculations, confirming an evolution of increasingly quadrupole deformed shapes with a definite octupolar character.Peer reviewe

Role of age and comorbidities in mortality of patients with infective endocarditis

Purpose: The aim of this study was to analyse the characteristics of patients with IE in three groups of age and to assess the ability of age and the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) to predict mortality. Methods: Prospective cohort study of all patients with IE included in the GAMES Spanish database between 2008 and 2015. Patients were stratified into three age groups:<65 years, 65 to 80 years, and = 80 years.The area under the receiver-operating characteristic (AUROC) curve was calculated to quantify the diagnostic accuracy of the CCI to predict mortality risk. Results: A total of 3120 patients with IE (1327 < 65 years;1291 65-80 years;502 = 80 years) were enrolled.Fever and heart failure were the most common presentations of IE, with no differences among age groups.Patients =80 years who underwent surgery were significantly lower compared with other age groups (14.3%, 65 years; 20.5%, 65-79 years; 31.3%, =80 years). In-hospital mortality was lower in the <65-year group (20.3%, <65 years;30.1%, 65-79 years;34.7%, =80 years;p < 0.001) as well as 1-year mortality (3.2%, <65 years; 5.5%, 65-80 years;7.6%, =80 years; p = 0.003).Independent predictors of mortality were age = 80 years (hazard ratio [HR]:2.78;95% confidence interval [CI]:2.32–3.34), CCI = 3 (HR:1.62; 95% CI:1.39–1.88), and non-performed surgery (HR:1.64;95% CI:11.16–1.58).When the three age groups were compared, the AUROC curve for CCI was significantly larger for patients aged <65 years(p < 0.001) for both in-hospital and 1-year mortality. Conclusion: There were no differences in the clinical presentation of IE between the groups. Age = 80 years, high comorbidity (measured by CCI), and non-performance of surgery were independent predictors of mortality in patients with IE.CCI could help to identify those patients with IE and surgical indication who present a lower risk of in-hospital and 1-year mortality after surgery, especially in the <65-year group

Coulomb breakup of 17 Ne from the view point of nuclear astrophysics

6 pags., 5 figs. -- XII International Symposium on Nuclei in the Cosmos, August 5-12, 2012, Cairns, AustraliaBy the Coulomb breakup of 17Ne, the time-reversed reaction 15O(2p, γ) 17Ne has been studied. This reaction might play an important role in the rp process, as a break-out reaction of the hot CNO cycle. The secondary 17Ne ion beam with an energy of 500 MeV/nucleon has been dissociated in a Pb target. The reaction products have been detected with the LAND-R3B experimental setup at GSI. The preliminary differential and integral Coulomb dissociation cross section σCoul has been determined, which then will be converted into a photo-absorption cross section σphoto, and a two-proton radiative capture cross section σcap. Additionally, information about the structure of the 17Ne, a potential two-proton halo nucleus, will be received. The analysis is in progress.This project was supported by the German Federal Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF), EU(EURONS), EMMI-GSI, and HIC for FAI