Measurement of the cosmic ray spectrum above 4×10184{\times}10^{18} eV using inclined events detected with the Pierre Auger Observatory

A measurement of the cosmic-ray spectrum for energies exceeding $4{\times}10^{18}$ eV is presented, which is based on the analysis of showers with zenith angles greater than $60^{\circ}$ detected with the Pierre Auger Observatory between 1 January 2004 and 31 December 2013. The measured spectrum confirms a flux suppression at the highest energies. Above $5.3{\times}10^{18}$ eV, the "ankle", the flux can be described by a power law $E^{-\gamma}$ with index $\gamma=2.70 \pm 0.02 \,\text{(stat)} \pm 0.1\,\text{(sys)}$ followed by a smooth suppression region. For the energy ($E_\text{s}$) at which the spectral flux has fallen to one-half of its extrapolated value in the absence of suppression, we find $E_\text{s}=(5.12\pm0.25\,\text{(stat)}^{+1.0}_{-1.2}\,\text{(sys)}){\times}10^{19}$ eV.Comment: Replaced with published version. Added journal reference and DO

Energy Estimation of Cosmic Rays with the Engineering Radio Array of the Pierre Auger Observatory

The Auger Engineering Radio Array (AERA) is part of the Pierre Auger Observatory and is used to detect the radio emission of cosmic-ray air showers. These observations are compared to the data of the surface detector stations of the Observatory, which provide well-calibrated information on the cosmic-ray energies and arrival directions. The response of the radio stations in the 30 to 80 MHz regime has been thoroughly calibrated to enable the reconstruction of the incoming electric field. For the latter, the energy deposit per area is determined from the radio pulses at each observer position and is interpolated using a two-dimensional function that takes into account signal asymmetries due to interference between the geomagnetic and charge-excess emission components. The spatial integral over the signal distribution gives a direct measurement of the energy transferred from the primary cosmic ray into radio emission in the AERA frequency range. We measure 15.8 MeV of radiation energy for a 1 EeV air shower arriving perpendicularly to the geomagnetic field. This radiation energy -- corrected for geometrical effects -- is used as a cosmic-ray energy estimator. Performing an absolute energy calibration against the surface-detector information, we observe that this radio-energy estimator scales quadratically with the cosmic-ray energy as expected for coherent emission. We find an energy resolution of the radio reconstruction of 22% for the data set and 17% for a high-quality subset containing only events with at least five radio stations with signal.Comment: Replaced with published version. Added journal reference and DO

Measurement of the Radiation Energy in the Radio Signal of Extensive Air Showers as a Universal Estimator of Cosmic-Ray Energy

We measure the energy emitted by extensive air showers in the form of radio emission in the frequency range from 30 to 80 MHz. Exploiting the accurate energy scale of the Pierre Auger Observatory, we obtain a radiation energy of 15.8 \pm 0.7 (stat) \pm 6.7 (sys) MeV for cosmic rays with an energy of 1 EeV arriving perpendicularly to a geomagnetic field of 0.24 G, scaling quadratically with the cosmic-ray energy. A comparison with predictions from state-of-the-art first-principle calculations shows agreement with our measurement. The radiation energy provides direct access to the calorimetric energy in the electromagnetic cascade of extensive air showers. Comparison with our result thus allows the direct calibration of any cosmic-ray radio detector against the well-established energy scale of the Pierre Auger Observatory.Comment: Replaced with published version. Added journal reference and DOI. Supplemental material in the ancillary file

La toma de decisión en tareas de entrenamiento de la esgrima y su relación con el tiempo de reacción

In fencing, certain tasks are designed to develop the mechanism of perception, decision and/ or execution. One way to know the effect to one or another is to measure the Reaction Time, making inferences about the effect of the manipulated variables in the research about the mechanisms. On the other hand, Reaction Time can help us to determine the level of perceptual ability and decision making of a fencer. The objectives of this study were, test the differences in perception and decision making depending on the weapon, and determine what actions are more difficult to perception and decision making in fencing. The subjects were 18 members of the spanish national fencing team. Fencers were placed facing a screen in which videos were projecting appearing the coach of each weapon launching actions to which the fencers had to react quickly. The results showed significant differences between the epeeists and the foil and sabre fencers. On the other hand, it was found more time is required to make the decision is to distinguish if the opponent´s attack had a good or bad execution.En la esgrima, se plantean tareas orientadas a desarrollar el mecanismo de percepción, el de decisión y/o el de ejecución. Una forma de saber en qué medida se incide más en uno u otro es medir el Tiempo de Reacción, y a partir de él hacer inferencias sobre el efecto de las variables manipuladas en la investigación sobre cada uno de los mecanismos. Por otro lado, nos puede ayudar a determinar el nivel de capacidad perceptiva y de toma de decisiones de un esgrimista. Los objetivos planteados en este estudio fueron, conocer si existen diferencias en cuanto a la percepción y toma de decisiones en función del arma practicada y determinar con qué acciones se dificulta la percepción y la toma de decisiones en esgrima. Los sujetos fueron 18 miembros del equipo nacional de esgrima, que se colocaron frente a una pantalla en la que se proyectaban vídeos en los que aparecía el entrenador de cada arma realizando acciones a las que los esgrimistas debían reaccionar lo antes posible. Los resultados mostraron diferencias significativas del grupo de espadistas con los floretistas y sablistas. Por otro lado, se pudo constatar que la tarea que más tiempo requiere para tomar la decisión al tirador es discernir si un ataque lanzado por el contrario está bien o mal ejecutado

Choice reaction time is not related to competition success in karate combat

Introduction: A thorough review of extant literature on choice reaction time (CRT) and performance in combat sports reveals much equivocality, which in part stems from comparisons of quite distinct groups of participants (e.g., athlete vs. non-athlete). Therefore, the current study was designed to determine whether choice reaction time (CRT) is a predictor of different performance levels of karate fighters. Methods: A unique cohort of 123 kumite athletes from regional to international level (including 11 world champions) and 32 control subjects with no experience of karate was studied. All participants completed a CRT test in which they responded to the appearance of a non-specific stimulus (black square in different positions on a computer screen) by pressing the appropriate key on a keyboard. Results: Multiple linear regressions on mean CRT indicated that age and sex, but not performance level, were weak significant predictors. Response accuracy was not influenced by these factors. Conclusion: Competition success in karate kumite does not depend on CRT, and thus caution should be exercised if this variable is to be used in training or talent identification.Introducción: La abundante literatura existente acerca del tiempo de reacción electiva (TRE) y el rendimiento deportivo en los deportes de combate todavía no ha mostrado resultados concluyentes sobre la relación entre ambos, esto posiblemente sea debido al hecho de haber comparado grupos muy diferentes (por ejemplo, deportistas y no deportistas). Así, este estudio fue diseñado para determinar si el TRE predice el nivel deportivo en el combate de karate (kumite). Método: 123 deportistas especialistas en kumite, desde nivel regional hasta nivel internacional (incluyendo 11 campeones del mundo), y 32 personas sin experiencia en karate realizaron un test de TRE en el que debían responder a un estímulo no específico (un cuadrado negro que aparecía en diferentes posiciones de una pantalla de ordenador) pulsando la tecla correspondiente. Resultados: El análisis de regresión lineal múltiple mostró que la edad y el sexo predijeron de manera débil aunque significativa el TRE, pero no lo hizo el nivel deportivo. La precisión de la respuesta (aciertos-errores) no se vio afectada por ninguno de estos factores. Conclusión: El nivel deportivo en kumite no depende del TRE. Así, esta variable debería usarse con cautela en el entrenamiento o en la detección de talentos deportivos

Effects of a school-based karate intervention on academic achievement, psychosocial functioning, and physical fitness: A multi-country cluster randomized controlled trial

Purpose: To examine the effects of a school-based karate intervention on academic achievement, psychosocial functioning, and physical fitness in children aged 7–8 years. Methods: Twenty schools in 5 different European countries (2 second-grade classrooms per school) participated in a cluster randomized controlled trial (Sport at School trial). Participants were assigned to either a control group, which continued with their habitual physical education lessons, or to an intervention group, which replaced these lessons with a 1-year karate intervention (Karate Mind and Movement program). A total of 721 children (344 girls and 377 boys, 7.4 ± 0.5 years old, mean ± SD) completed the study, of which 333 and 388 were assigned to the control group and intervention group, respectively. Outcomes included academic performance (average grade), psychosocial functioning (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire for parents), and different markers of physical fitness (cardiorespiratory fitness, balance, and flexibility). Results: The intervention provided small but significant benefits compared to the control group for academic achievement (d = 0.16; p = 0.003), conduct problems (d = –0.28; p = 0.003), cardiorespiratory fitness (d = 0.36; p 0.05). Conclusion: A 1-year school-based karate intervention was effective in improving academic achievement, conduct problems, and physical fitness in primary school children. The results support the inclusion of karate during physical education lessons

Käytännön kosteikkosuunnittelu

Maatalouden vesiensuojelua edistetään monin tavoin. Ravinteita ja eroosioainesta sisältäviä valumavesiä pyritään puhdistamaan erilaisissa kosteikoissa. Tämä opas on kirjoitettu avuksi pienimuotoisten kosteikkojen perustamiseen. Oppaassa esitetään käytännönläheisesti kosteikon toteuttamisen eri vaiheet paikan valinnasta suunnitteluun ja rakentamiseen. Vuonna 2010 julkaistun painoksen tiedot on saatettu ajantasalle. Julkaisu on toteutettu osana Tehoa maatalouden vesiensuojeluun (TEHO) -hanketta ja päivitetty TEHO Plus -hankkeen toimesta. Oppaan toivotaan lisäävän kiinnostusta kosteikkojen suunnitteluun ja edelleen niiden rakentamiseen