Climate simulations of large scale conditions associated with the genesis of medicanes

Póster elaborado para la European Conference on Severe Storms celebrada en Palma de Mallorca del 3 al 7 de octubre de 2011Project Medicanes (GCL2008-01271/CLI) from Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (Spain)

A statistical method for the identification of stars enriched in neutron-capture elements from medium-resolution spectra

We present an automated statistical method that uses medium-resolution spectroscopic observations of a set of stars to select those that show evidence of possessing significant amounts of neutron-capture elements. Our tool was tested against a sample of $\sim 70,000$ F- and G-type stars distributed among $215$ plates from the Galactic Understanding and Exploration (SEGUE) survey, including $13$ that were directed at stellar Galaxy clusters. Focusing on five spectral lines of europium in the visible window, our procedure ranked the stars by their likelihood of having enhanced content of this atomic species and identifies the objects that exhibit signs of being rich in neutron-capture elements as those scoring in the upper $2.5\%$. We find that several of the cluster plates contain relatively large numbers of stars with significant absorption around at least three of the five selected lines. The most prominent is the globular cluster M3, where we measured a fraction of stars that are potentially rich in heavy nuclides, representing at least $15\%$.Comment: 7 pages, 2 figures, accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics (v2

Hand’s Asymmetries in Fine Motor Precision and Speed Performance in Different Age Groups

Rose (1970) showed that women had more symmetrical precision in movements in hands, whereas men performed more asymmetrically (with dominance for right hand). These findings were congruent with Ananiev’s (1968) scheme differentiated for sexes, in which for men there was a need for use of additional adaptive mechanisms (asymmetry) whereas women passed with basic ones (symmetry). Our study aimedto check the hands symmetry/asymmetry and correlations in fine motor precision and speed in both sexes and how they change in different age groups. The results of our study showed that the highest asymmetry in fine motor precision was related (for both sex groups and among all movement types) to the developmental periodof life (12-17 years old) followed by group age of 64-95 due to ageing processes. In our study women performed with less asymmetry between both hands for majority of observable variables compared to men in all age groups. The highest frequency of asymmetrical performance in fine motor precision for both sexes was observed in the Frontal movement type, followed by the Transversal, and least, in the Sagittal. For the speed performance, the highest frequency of asymmetrical performance was shown in the Transversal movement type. Keywords: fine motor precision; speed; sex differences; age-depended differences; Proprioceptive diagnostics; M.K.P

Enhancing high-intensity actions during a basketball game after a strength training program with random recovery times between sets

To examine the effects of a strength training program with random recovery times between sets in consideration of several physical parameters, high-intensity actions (HIA), and spatial exploration index during a simulated basketball game. Twenty male basketball players (age: 19.45 ± 4.36 years) were assigned randomly, either to strength training group (n = 10), or a control group (n = 10). The strength training included: parallel back squat and bench press exercises, twice a week for the duration of 10 weeks, with two blocks of 5 sets × 5 repetitions interspersed with variable passive recovery (range = 15–35 sec.) between sets, and constant passive recovery (3-min) between blocks with the load that maximized propulsive power output. The pre- and post-test assessments included jumping (bilateral and unilateral), change-of-direction, straight sprinting, and a 5-on-5 full-court situation. The external training load was assessed using the local positioning system, and the internal load was recorded with the use of individual heart rate monitors. A significant interaction effect (group x time) was observed on countermovement jump (CMJ), unilateral right hops, high-intensity accelerations and decelerations, and peak accelerations and decelerations in the 5-on-5 full-court situation. Relative improvements observed and recorded in the training group on unilateral right hops, accelerations, and decelerations were correlated. Similar results were observed on 0–25m sprints, high-intensity decelerations, peak accelerations, and decelerations. Strength training paired with random recovery times enhanced physical and game-related aspects in the observed basketball players

A comparison of 3 different unilateral strength training strategies to enhance jumping performance and decrease interlimb asymmetries in soccer players

Purpose: This study compared the effects of performing different unilateral strength training interventions on unilateral and bilateral jumping performance and their related asymmetries in young soccer players. Methods: Forty-five male young (U-17) soccer players were randomly assigned to three eccentric overload training programs: The first group executed the same volume with both legs starting with the weaker leg (SVW, n=15), the second group carried out the double volume with the weaker leg and also starting with the weaker leg (DVW, n=15), and the third group performed the same volume with both legs starting with the stronger leg (SVS, n=15). Jumping performance assessment included a single-leg horizontal jump test, a triple single-leg horizontal jump test, a bilateral countermovement (CMJ) jump test and unilateral countermovement jump test. Asymmetries were also analyzed in the unilateral jumping tests. Results: CMJ was improved (effect size [ES]: 0.27-0.48) and CMJ asymmetry was possibly reduced (ES: 0.08-0.24) in all groups. Substantial improvements were found in triple hop (ES: 0.52-0.71) in SVW and DVW, and triple hop asymmetry was substantially decreased (ES: 0.88) in DVW. Between-group analysis showed a substantial better performance in triple hop and horizontal hop with right leg in SVW and DVW compared to SVS. Conclusions: Unilateral strength training programs were shown to substantially improve bilateral jumping performance, while unilateral jumping was substantially enhanced in those groups that started the training session with the weaker leg. Finally, between-limbs asymmetries in the triple hop were mainly reduced through performing the double volume with the weaker leg

Effects of direction-specific training interventions on physical performance and inter-limb asymmetries

This study analyzed the effects of two different training programs on functional performance and inter-limb asymmetries in basketball players. Twenty-four elite youth basketball players were randomly assigned to a training program including variable unilateral horizontal movements (VUH, n = 12) or unilateral lateral movements (VUL, n = 12). Eccentric-overload training (EOT) was performed twice a week for a six-week period. Functional performance assessment included a countermovement jump test, unilateral multidirectional jumping tests (i.e., lateral, horizontal, and vertical), a rebound jump test, a limb symmetry index, a 25 m linear sprint test, and several change of direction (COD) tests. Within-group analysis showed substantial improvements in almost all functional tests in both groups (ES = 0.35−0.89). Furthermore, almost all jumping asymmetries were improved in both groups (ES = 0.38−0.69) except for vertical jumping asymmetry in VUL (ES = −0.04). Between-group analyses showed a substantial and possibly better performance in vertical jumping asymmetry and 5 m in VUH compared to that of VUL, respectively. In contrast, lateral jumping with left (ES = 1.22) and right leg (ES = 0.49) were substantially greater in VUL than in VUH. Specific force-vector training programs induced substantial improvements in both functional performance tests and inter-limb asymmetries, although greater improvements of lateral and horizontal variables may depend on the specific force vector targeted

Caracterización del color de los aceites de oliva vírgenes de cultivares catalanes

Colour variation of virgin oil from 34 olive cultivars growing in Catalonia (Spain) was analyzed by the ABT (Bromthymol Blue) modified method. In addition, the preferences of consumers in the Denomination of Origin Siurana (Tarragona) were studied, in relation to coloration. The results obtained show that varietal differences exist in the colour index studied and that the commercial preferences vary according to the oil markets.<br><br>Se analizan mediante el método ABT (Azul de Bromotimol) modificado, las variaciones del color de los aceites vírgenes provenientes de 34 variedades de olivo cultivadas en Cataluña y, al mismo tiempo, se estudian las preferencias de los consumidores de la Denominación de Origen Siurana (Tarragona), en cuanto a tonalidades de color. Los resultados obtenidos indican que existen diferencias varietales en los índices de color estudiados y que las preferencias comerciales varían según los mercados oleícolas

Caracterización del color de los aceites de oliva vírgenes de cultivares catalanes

Colour variation of virgin oil from 34 olive cultivars growing in Catalonia (Spain) was analyzed by the ABT (Bromthymol Blue) modified method. In addition, the preferences of consumers in the Denomination of Origin Siurana (Tarragona) were studied, in relation to coloration. The results obtained show that varietal differences exist in the colour index studied and that the commercial preferences vary according to the oil markets.Se analizan mediante el método ABT (Azul de Bromotimol) modificado, las variaciones del color de los aceites vírgenes provenientes de 34 variedades de olivo cultivadas en Cataluña y, al mismo tiempo, se estudian las preferencias de los consumidores de la Denominación de Origen Siurana (Tarragona), en cuanto a tonalidades de color. Los resultados obtenidos indican que existen diferencias varietales en los índices de color estudiados y que las preferencias comerciales varían según los mercados oleícolas