Effects of a Tapering Period on Physical Condition in Soccer Players

The aim of this research was to analyze the effects of a 2-week step tapering period on lower-limb muscle power, change of direction (COD) and acceleration capacities, and on the stress-recovery state in an amateur soccer team. Twenty-two male players were included in the study. After a 6-week progressive training, the sample was divided into experimental group (EG) (n = 11), which did a 2-week period of taper in which training volume was 50% reduced (intensity was kept high) and control group (CG) (n = 11), which kept on with the training. Muscle power (countermovement jump test), acceleration (10-m sprint test), COD (Illinois test), and stress and recovery perceptions (RESTQ questionnaire) were evaluated before training, at the end of it (pretapering, PRE-TP) and after the tapering period (posttapering, POST-TP). After the taper, the EG in comparison with the CG showed significantly improved power (1,029.71 ± 108.51 W·kg−1 vs. 1,084.21 ± 110.87 W·kg−1; p ≤ 0.01), acceleration (1.72 ± 0.09 seconds vs. 1.67 ± 0.07 seconds; p ≤ 0.05), and lower stress levels (1.9 ± 0.5 vs. 1.6 ± 0.5; p ≤ 0.01) (PRE-TP vs. POST-TP, respectively). Change of direction did not show significant changes. In conclusion, a 2-week step tapering program was found to be an effective periodization strategy to increase muscle power and acceleration, and to reduce stress perception in soccer amateur players

Performance of MB-OFDM UWB and WiMAX IEEE 802.16e converged radio-over-fiber in PON

Experimental results about the performance of converged radio-over- fiber transmission including multiband- OFDM UWB and WiMAX 802.16e wireless over a passive optical network are reported in this paper. The experimental study indicates that UWB and WiMAX converged transmission is feasible over the proposed distribution set-up employing a single wavelength. However, the results indicate that there is an EVM penalty of 3.2 dB for a UWB 10 km SSMF transmission in presence of WiMAX wireless

UWB wireless coexistence by fibre-based photonic ADC interference monitoring

The interference monitoring of UWB wireless picocell clusters through an in-house fibre installation is proposed and evaluated in a proof-of-concept experiment. UWB clusters enable range extension of UWB technology providing Gbit/s communications in home or office buildings. Coexistence of a large number of UWB clusters with other wireless services is guaranteed by a photonic analog-to-digital converter employing the in-house optical fiber installation

MOOD ADVISOR BASED ON A USER\u27S ONLINE AND DEVICE ACTIVITY

A system can determine correlations between user moods and user activities performed with devices, and can provide advice affecting user moods based on such correlations. For example, the system records moods of a user, such as by requesting that the user input his or her current moods periodically to devices. The system also determines and records activities and conditions that are engaged in by the user over time, based on the user\u27s usage of devices for physical and online activity and based on detection of user activity using devices and device data. The system correlates moods of the user to activities based on which activities were performed by the user close in time (or otherwise connected) to particular moods, and/or by correlating and finding patterns of moods resulting from particular activities. The system can present the correlation information to the user as well as offer advice based on the correlations as to how to better attain more positive moods by changing the user\u27s activities

Integrated performance analysis of UWB wireless optical transmission in FTTH networks

The optical transmission of full standard ECMA_368 OFDM_UWB signals 400 Mbit/s per single user over 50 km SSMF, and the impact of optical transmission in the radio performance experimentally analyzed in this paper

Environmental Quality and Aquatic Invertebrate Metrics Relationships at Patagonian Wetlands Subjected to Livestock Grazing Pressures

Livestock grazing can compromise the biotic integrity and health of wetlands, especially in remotes areas like Patagonia, which provide habitat for several endemic terrestrial and aquatic species. Understanding the effects of these land use practices on invertebrate communities can help prevent the deterioration of wetlands and provide insights for restoration. In this contribution, we assessed the responses of 36 metrics based on the structural and functional attributes of invertebrates (130 taxa) at 30 Patagonian wetlands that were subject to Different levels of livestock grazing intensity. These levels were categorized as low, medium and high based on eight features (livestock stock densities plus seven wetland measurements). Significant changes in environmental features were detected across the gradient of wetlands, mainly related to pH, conductivity, and nutrient values. Regardless of rainfall gradient, symptoms of eutrophication were remarkable at some highly disturbed sites. Seven invertebrate metrics consistently and accurately responded to livestock grazing on wetlands. All of them were negatively related to increased levels of grazing disturbance,with the number of insect families appearing as the most robust measure. Amultivariate approach (RDA) revealed that invertebrate metrics were significantly affected by environmental variables related to water quality: in particular, pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, nutrient concentrations, and the richness and coverage of aquatic plants. Our results suggest that the seven aforementioned metrics could be used to assess ecological quality in the arid and semi-arid wetlands of Patagonia, helping to ensure the creation ofprotected areas and their associated ecological servicesFil: Miserendino, Maria Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Patagonia Norte. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónicas; ArgentinaFil: Epele, Luis Beltran. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Patagonia Norte. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónicas; Argentin

Ultra-wideband radio signals distribution in FTTH networks

The use of an ultra-wideband (UWB) radio technique is proposed as a viable solution for the distribution of high-definition audio/video content in fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) networks. The approach suitability is demonstrated by the transmission of standards-based UWB signals at 1.25 Gb/s along different FTTH fiber links with 25 km up to 60 km of standard single-mode fiber length in a laboratory experiment. Experimental results suggest that orthogonal frequency-division-multiplexed UWB signals exhibit better transmission performance in FFTH networks than impulse radio UWB signals

Prevalencia y características del abuso sexual infantil en estudiantes universitarios españoles

Objective: The purpose of this paper was to compare the prevalence rates of child sexual abuse reported by [Finkelhor, D. (1994). The international epidemiology of child sexual abuse. Child Abuse & Neglect, 18 (5), 409-417] with those found in recent publications in order to confirm the widespread prevalence of child sexual abuse. Methods: Relevant articles about prevalence of child sexual abuse were identified through searches of computerized databases and a handsearch of Child Abuse & Neglect and the Journal of Child Sexual Abuse. Results: Thirty-eight independent articles were identified, corresponding to 39 prevalence studies; these articles report the prevalence of childhood sexual abuse in 21 different countries, ranging from 0 to 53% for women and 0 to 60% for men. Conclusions: Comparison of the present study with that of [Finkelhor, D. (1994). The international epidemiology of child sexual abuse. Child Abuse & Neglect, 18 (5), 409-417] shows a similarity between prevalence distributions; there appears to be a general pattern that remains more or less constant over the years, especially in women. Practice implications: Twelve years after the first revision study about the international prevalence of child sexual abuse, there is still a need for new data about this topic. The present study shows child sexual abuse is still a widespread problem in the society. In this research, carried out on 38 independent studies, there is new data for 21 countries over the world, being especially relevant the results obtained from other countries different from those pertaining toNorth America or Europe. It is important to point out the high prevalence found in most of the countries, so this information could be a new warning to make society and governments aware of this problem and undertake actions to prevent sexual abuse in childhood. © 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Temporal dynamic of invertebrate and aquatic plant communities at three intermittent ponds in livestock grazed Patagonian wetlands

Ponds are worldwide recognized as biodiversity hotspots, nevertheless in Patagonia are still needed studies that reveal the composition and the status of their communities. This paper analyses the temporal patterns of aquatic invertebrates and assesses the environmental factors that best predict the variation in community structure at three small intermittent ponds, subjected to ranching practices (summer stocking) in the Patagonia steppe. Variables identified as important in structuring community assemblages were related to environmental conditions (rainfall and water temperature), chemical features (conductivity and pH) and biotic factors (macrophyte coverage). During the connected phase only a small number of invertebrate species were present, in contrast to the 11 taxa that were frequent and abundant during isolated period (Eucyclops chilensis, Hyalella curvispina, and Rhionaeschna sp. were the dominant ones). In this sequence the submersed Myriophyllum quitense and Lilaeopsis macloviana played a crucial role offering habitat and food resources. The present study provides valuable information that can contribute to minimize the environmental damage and to develop strategies for the conservation of Patagonian wetlands.Fil: Epele, Luis Beltran. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Patagonia Norte. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónicas; ArgentinaFil: Miserendino, Maria Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Patagonia Norte. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónicas; Argentin