Effectiveness of a video-feedback and questioning programme to develop cognitive expertise in sport

The importance within sport expertise of cognitive factors has been emphasised in many research studies. Adaptations that take place in athletes’ long-term memories are going to condition their decision-making and performance, and training programmes must be developed that improve these adaptations. In our study, we provide a tactical-cognitive training programme based on video-feedback and questioning in order to improve tactical knowledge in tennis players and verify its effect when transferred to athletes’ decision-making. 11 intermediate tennis players participated in this study (12.960.7 years old), distributed into two groups (experimental, n = 5; control, n = 6). Tactical knowledge was measured by problem representation and strategy planning with a verbal protocol. Decision-making was measured by a systematic observation instrument. Results confirm the effectiveness of a combination of video-feedback and questioning on cognitive expertise, developing adaptations in long-term memory that produce an improvement in the quality of tactical knowledge (content, sophistication and structure). This, in turn, is transferred to the athletes’ decision-making capacity, leading to a higher percentage of successful decisions made during game play. Finally, we emphasise the need to develop effective programmes to develop cognitive expertise and improve athletes’ performance, and include it in athletes’ formative stages

Ammonia effects on proton conductivity properties of coordination polymers

Crystalline metal phosphonates are referred to as a type of structurally versatile coordination polymers [1]. Many of them contain guest molecules (H2O, heterocyclics, etc.), acidic sites and, furthermore, their structure can be also amenable for post‐synthesis modifications in order to enhance desired properties [2]. In the present work, we examine the relationships between crystal structure and proton conductivity for several metal phosphonates derive from multifunctional ligands, such as 5-(dihydroxyphosphoryl)isophthalic acid (PiPhtA) [3] and 2-hydroxyphosphonoacetic acid (H3HPAA). Crystalline divalent metal derivatives show a great structural diversity, from 1D to 3D open-frameworks, possessing hydrogen-bonded water molecules and acid groups. These solids present a proton conductivity range between 7.2·10-6 and 1.3·10−3 S·cm-1. Upon exposure to ammonia vapor, from an aqueous solution, solid state transformations are observed accompanied of enhance proton conductivities. The stability of these solids under different environment conditions (temperature and relative humidities) as well as the influence of the ammonia adsorption on the proton conduction properties of the resulting solids will be discussed.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Implications of instructional strategies in sport teaching: a nonlinear pedagogy-based approach

In this article, we have tried to establish the practical implications of instructional strategies in sport teaching. Firstly, we have highlighted the importance of the Teaching Game for Understanding as a teaching model that is fundamentally based on the use of modified games, whose purpose is for students to learn the tactical aspects of a certain sport, by way of modified versions of the real game. Later on, we have gone further into depth into a new way of understanding the teaching-learning process in sport, non-Linear Pedagogy, which is based on manipulating the relevant determining factors (task, environment and individual) to increase information sources and thus be able to guide students towards obtaining their objectives. Within non-linear pedagogy, verbal instruction (e.g., questioning) is considered to be a determining factor that attempts to channel the search for tactical solutions within a learning environment. Finally, we end the article with a section that refers to practical applications, where we purport to give a series of guidelines on how to implement questioning as a didactical resource whose aim is to improve students’ tactical action capacity

Proton conductivity of multifunctional metal phosphonate frameworks

Metal phosphonates exhibit attractive characteristics for proton conductivity, such as tunable functionality, chemical and thermal stability and the existence of H-bond networks with acidic protons within their structure.1 In the present work, we examine the relationship between crystal structure and proton conductivity for several metal (mono-, di- and tri-valent) phosphonates containing rigid: (5-(dihydroxyphosphoryl)isophthalic acid, PiPhtA and 2-hydroxyphosphonoacetic acid, HPAA) or flexible: (hexa- or octamethylenediamine-N,N,N′,N′-tetrakis(methylenephosphonic acid, H8HDTMP or H8ODTMP) multifunctional ligands. The crystalline hybrid derivatives prepared show a great structural diversity, from 1D to 3D open-frameworks possessing hydrogen-bonded water molecules and phosphonic and carboxylic acid groups. The rigid 3D framework of Ca-PiPhtA, that exhibits a proton conductivity of 5.7•10-4 S/cm as synthesized, transforms into a layered compound upon exposure to ammonia vapors2 with increased proton conductivity (6.6•10-3 S/cm). The flexible frameworks of magnesium or lanthanide phosphonates, with 1D channels, present conductivities higher than 10-3 S/cm. Their activation energies fall in the range corresponding to a Grotthuss mechanism.3,4 For M(I)-HPAA solids conductivities up to 5.6•10-3 S/cm were measured. References 1. P. Ramaswamy, N.E. Wong, G.K.H. Shimizu, Chem. Soc. Rev. 43 (2014) 5913. 2. M. Bazaga-García, R.M.P. Colodrero, M. Papadaki, P. Garczarek, J. Zoń, P. Olivera-Pastor, E.R. Losilla, L. León-Reina, M.A.G. Aranda, D. Choquesillo-Lazarte, K.D. Demadis, A. Cabeza, J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 136 (2014) 5731. 3. R.M.P. Colodrero, P. Olivera-Pastor, E.R. Losilla, D. Hernández-Alonso, M.A.G. Aranda, L. Leon-Reina, J. Rius, K.D. Demadis, B. Moreau, D. Villemin, M. Palomino, F. Rey, A. Cabeza, Inorg. Chem. 51 (2012) 7689. 4. R.M.P. Colodrero, P. Olivera-Pastor, E.R. Losilla, M.A.G. Aranda, L. Leon-Reina, M. Papadaki, A.C. McKinlay, R.E. Morris, K.D. Demadis, A. Cabeza, Dalton Trans. 41 (2012) 4045.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech. Junta de Andalucía, Proyecto Excelencia FQM-1656. Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, MAT2013-41836-

El género como variable de estudio en las características del juego en voleibol en categoría infantil

El objetivo principal de esta investigación fue analizar las características y rendimiento en la acción del saque en voleibol, en categoría infantil, en función del género. Se empleó una muestra de 2233 saques, correspondientes a la observación de los 32 equipos participantes en el Campeonato España de Selecciones autonómicas en categoría infantil, femenina y masculina. Las variables de estudio fueron: género del equipo, zona de origen de saque, tipo de saque, técnica de golpeo, eficacia del saque, zona a la que se dirige el saque y jugador al que se dirige el saque. Los resultados determinaron una asociación significativa entre las variables origen de saque, tipo de saque, técnica de golpeo y eficacia de saque, con el género de los equipos. Concretamente, contribuyeron positivamente a esta asociación el origen de saque desde zona 1, el saque en salto, el saque flotante y el saque que permite ataque en el género masculino; y el saque desde zona 6, el saque en apoyo, el saque potente, el error de saque, el saque que no permite ataque y el saque punto en el género femenino. Por ello, concluimos que desde etapas de formación encontramos diferencias en las características del saque y su eficacia en función del género, por lo que debemos tener en cuenta dichos resultados en el proceso de entrenamiento de esta acción técnico-táctica. The main aim of this research was to analyze the characteristics and performance of the serve action, in volleyball Under-14 category, by gender. The sample was comprised of 2233 serves, corresponding to the observation of 32 teams participating in the Spanish Championship of Regional Selections, male and female Under-14 categories. The studied variables were: gender, serve zone, serve type, striking technique, serve effectiveness, reception zone and receiver player. The results showed a significant association between the serve zone, serve type, striking technique and serve effectiveness with gender. Specifically, correlated significantly and positively: the serve zone from zone 1, the jump serve, the float serve and serve permits attacking with the male gender; and the serve zone from zone 6, the standing serve, the power serve, serve error, the serve that does not permit attacking and the point serve in the female gender. Therefore, we conclude that, in formative stages we find differences in the characteristics and effectiveness of the serve by gender, we must take into account these results in the training process of this technical-tactical action

Comparative study of ornamental granite cleaning using femtosecond and nanosecond pulsed lasers

Granite has been widely used as a structural and ornamental element in public works and buildings. In damp climates it is almost permanently humid and its exterior surfaces are consequently biologically colonized and blackened We describe a comparative analysis of the performance of two different laser sources in removing biological crusts from granite surfaces: nanosecond Nd:YVO4 laser (355 nm) and femtosecond Ti:Sapphire laser at its fundamental wavelength (790 nm) and second harmonic (395 nm). The granite surface was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy, attenuated total reflection – Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and profilometry, in order to assess the degree of cleaning and to characterize possible morphological and chemical changes caused by the laser sources.This work is supported by the CTM2010-19584, FIS2009-09522 and CSD2007-00013 research projects (Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología, Spanish Government) and by SA086A12-2 project (Junta de Castilla y León, Spain). FTIR, profilometry and SEM analyses were conducted at the University of Vigo's research centre (CACTI)

The syndrome of central hypothyroidism and macroorchidism: IGSF1 controls TRHR and FSHB expression by differential modulation of pituitary TGFβ and Activin pathways

IGSF1 (Immunoglobulin Superfamily 1) gene defects cause central hypothyroidism and macroorchidism. However, the pathogenic mechanisms of the disease remain unclear. Based on a patient with a full deletion of IGSF1 clinically followed from neonate to adulthood, we investigated a common pituitary origin for hypothyroidism and macroorchidism, and the role of IGSF1 as regulator of pituitary hormone secretion. The patient showed congenital central hypothyroidism with reduced TSH biopotency, over-secretion of FSH at neonatal minipuberty and macroorchidism from 3 years of age. His markedly elevated inhibin B was unable to inhibit FSH secretion, indicating a status of pituitary inhibin B resistance. We show here that IGSF1 is expressed both in thyrotropes and gonadotropes of the pituitary and in Leydig and germ cells in the testes, but at very low levels in Sertoli cells. Furthermore, IGSF1 stimulates transcription of the thyrotropin-releasing hormone receptor (TRHR) by negative modulation of the TGFβ1-Smad signaling pathway, and enhances the synthesis and biopotency of TSH, the hormone secreted by thyrotropes. By contrast, IGSF1 strongly down-regulates the activin-Smad pathway, leading to reduced expression of FSHB, the hormone secreted by gonadotropes. In conclusion, two relevant molecular mechanisms linked to central hypothyroidism and macroorchidism in IGSF1 deficiency are identified, revealing IGSF1 as an important regulator of TGFβ/Activin pathways in the pituitary

Lead Optimization of 3,5-Disubstituted-7-Azaindoles for the Treatment of Human African Trypanosomiasis.

Neglected tropical diseases such as human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) are prevalent primarily in tropical climates and among populations living in poverty. Historically, the lack of economic incentive to develop new treatments for these diseases has meant that existing therapeutics have serious shortcomings in terms of safety, efficacy, and administration, and better therapeutics are needed. We now report a series of 3,5-disubstituted-7-azaindoles identified as growth inhibitors of Trypanosoma brucei, the parasite that causes HAT, through a high-throughput screen. We describe the hit-to-lead optimization of this series and the development and preclinical investigation of 29d, a potent antitrypanosomal compound with promising pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters. This compound was ultimately not progressed beyond in vivo PK studies due to its inability to penetrate the blood-brain barrier (BBB), critical for stage 2 HAT treatments.The authors acknowledge funding from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (M.P.P. and M.N., R01AI114685; M.P.P., 1R21AI127594, R01AI124046; C.R.C., R21AI126296; https://www.niaid.nih.gov/), the Spanish Ministerio de Economí a, Industria y Competitividad (M.N., SAF2015-71444-P; D.G.-P., SAF2016-79957-R; http://www.mineco.gob.es), Subdireccion General de Redes ́ y Centros de Investigacion Cooperativa (RICET, https://www.ricet.es/) (M.N., RD16/0027/0019; D.G.P., RD16/ 0027/0014), and RTI2018-097210-B-I00 (MINCIU-FEDER) to F.G. An ACS MEDI Predoctoral Fellowship for D.M.K. is gratefully acknowledged, as is support from the National Science Foundation for K.F. (CHE-1262734). We thank AstraZeneca, Charles River Laboratories, and GlaxoSmithKline for the provision of the in vitro ADME and physicochemical properties data. The use of JChem/ChemAxon software is acknowledged