COMPARISON OF PROPERTIES OF A PITCHED-BALL ROTATION MEASURED BY THREE DIFFERENT METHODS

The purpose of this study was to compare the properties of a pitched-ball rotation, such as the spin rate and direction of the spin axis, which were measured by 2D images with a 3D registration method (2DR), the 3D direct linear transformation method (3DLT), and a Doppler radar measurement system (DRS). The pitched baseball was recorded by using two high-speed cameras (2,000 Hz) and DRS (48,000 Hz). For 2DR and 3DLT, some landmarks on the pitched ball were digitized to calculate the location in 2D and 3D space. For DRS, the 3D spin axis was calculated using equations developed by Nathan (2015). We found that the properties of the fastball were comparable among the three methods, but the properties of pitches that were not fastballs were not always comparable with the others

Interaction between a Unique Minor Protein and a Major Capsid Protein of Bluetongue Virus Controls Virus Infectivity.

Among the Reoviridae family of double-stranded RNA viruses, only members of the Orbivirus genus possess a unique structural protein, termed VP6, within their particles. Bluetongue virus (BTV), an important livestock pathogen, is the prototype Orbivirus BTV VP6 is an ATP-dependent RNA helicase, and it is indispensable for virus replication. In the study described in this report, we investigated how VP6 might be recruited to the virus capsid and whether the BTV structural protein VP3, which forms the internal layer of the virus capsid core, is involved in VP6 recruitment. We first demonstrated that VP6 interacts with VP3 and colocalizes with VP3 during capsid assembly. A series of VP6 mutants was then generated, and in combination with immunoprecipitation and size exclusion chromatographic analyses, we demonstrated that VP6 directly interacts with VP3 via a specific region of the C-terminal portion of VP6. Finally, using our reverse genetics system, mutant VP6 proteins were introduced into the BTV genome and interactions between VP6 and VP3 were shown in a live cell system. We demonstrate that BTV strains possessing a mutant VP6 are replication deficient in wild-type BSR cells and fail to recruit the viral replicase complex into the virus particle core. Taken together, these data suggest that the interaction between VP3 and VP6 could be important in the packaging of the viral genome and early stages of particle formation.IMPORTANCE The orbivirus bluetongue virus (BTV) is the causative agent of bluetongue disease of livestock, often causing significant economic and agricultural impacts in the livestock industry. In the study described in this report, we identified the essential region and residues of the unique orbivirus capsid protein VP6 which are responsible for its interaction with other BTV proteins and its subsequent recruitment into the virus particle. The nature and mechanism of these interactions suggest that VP6 has a key role in packaging of the BTV genome into the virus particle. As such, this is a highly significant finding, as this new understanding of BTV assembly could be exploited to design novel vaccines and antivirals against bluetongue disease

Sports Analytics in NCAA Division III Men’s Soccer: A Case of Practical Application of GPS Metrics

Sports performance analysis has become an essential tool for coaches as it provides evidence for more educated decisions. However, objective measurement is essential for that process. Recently, GPS metrics have become very popular in soccer as they provide quantifiable data on identified key performance indicators (KPIs). Making inferences from raw data is a common challenge for practitioners. PURPOSE: To analyze and interpret the game data from 2020-21 season to answer the head coach’s questions of a) What is the profile per position (Center Back, Full Back, Deep Midfielder, Winger, Attacking Midfielder, and Striker) based on seven specific KPIs identified by the coach (GPS Training Load, Total Distance, Sprint Total Distance, Sprint Count, Sprint Average Speed, Explosive Effort Count, and Top Speed)? and b) Are there significant differences in those profiles between losses and wins? METHODS: All 29 players agreed to participate. Data were collected using the Titan 1+ GPS sensor. After differentiating practice from game data (n = 16), we created profiles per position based on the aforementioned KPIs. We, then, explored differences between the eight wins and the seven losses (the one tied game was excluded from the second part of the analysis). We converted all raw scores to Z scores, so the scale would be the same across all variables and easier to present to the coaching staff. Therefore, all differences are in SD units (i.e., effect size). RESULTS: Due to space limitations, we are presenting results for the position of the Deep Midfielder as an example. All games: GPS Training Load = 0.02; Total Distance = 0.31; Sprint Total Distance = -0.29; Sprint Count = -0.32; Sprint Average Speed = -0.38; Explosive Effort Count = -0.32; and Top Speed = -0.40. Wins: GPS Training Load = 0.23; Total Distance = 0.80; Sprint Total Distance = -0.37; Sprint Count = -0.41; Sprint Average Speed = 0.00; Explosive Effort Count = -0.40; and Top Speed = -0.08. Losses: GPS Training Load = -0.01; Total Distance = -0.02; Sprint Total Distance = -0.06; Sprint Count = -0.08; Sprint Average Speed = -0.40; Explosive Effort Count = -0.08; and Top Speed = -0.38. CONCLUSION: The coaching staff will use these findings to adjust practices per position for the 2022-23 season. According to the ACSM worldwide survey, wearable technology is the number one fitness trend for 2022. Division III (DIII) schools are the biggest participant in the NCAA. In terms of the number of student-athletes, soccer is the second most popular sport in the NCAA. This case study could have numerous practical implications as it demonstrates how sports data analysts and sports practitioners can collaborate in sports performance analysis

Position Profiles Based on GPS Metrics: A NCAA Division III Men\u27s Soccer Case Study

According to the ACSM, wearable technology is the number one fitness trend for 2022. Division III schools are the biggest participant in the NCAA. In terms of the number of student-athletes, soccer is the second most popular sport in the NCAA. This is a continuation of research whose initial findings were presented by Lecher et al. (2022) in the 2022 Annual TACSM Annual Meeting and published by the International Journal of Exercise Science. PURPOSE: To analyze and interpret the game data from 2020-21 season to answer the head coach’s additional questions of a) What is the profile per position (Center Back, Full Back, Deep Midfielder, Winger, Attacking Midfielder, and Striker) based on six specific key performance indicators (KPIs; Distance, Active Time, GPS Load per minute, Sprint Count, Sprint Mean Duration, and Sprint Mean Distance)? b) Are there significant differences in those profiles between halves (all games)? and c) Are the position differences per half significant between wins and losses? METHODS: All 29 players participated. Data were collected using the Titan 1+ GPS sensor. Game data were analyzed descriptively to examine KPI centroids by game outcome (win v. loss), period within game (first half v. second half), and position. Each KPI was examined using factorial analysis of variance with three factors identified above as explanatory variables. Descriptive statistics, inferential results, and effect sizes were produced and interpreted. RESULTS: Due to space limitations, we are presenting the profile of the Attacking Midfielder only: Distance=1.88mi, Active Time=19.40min, GPS Load= 1.88load/min, Sprint Mean Duration=4.87s, Sprint Mean Distance=23.80m, and Sprint Count=18.05. The differences in all the KPIs between halves in all positions and the differences per half between wins and losses by position were trivial and not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The coaching staff will use the profiles to adjust practices per position for the 2022-23 season. In terms of the KPIs examined, the team performed similarly in both halves, while their differences per half per position cannot be associated with the game result. As with Lecher and colleagues, this case study could also have numerous practical implications as it demonstrates again how sports data analysts and sports practitioners can collaborate

Deoxofluorination of graphite oxide with sulfur tetrafluoride

In this study, deoxofluorination of graphite oxide (GO) using sulfur tetrafluoride (SF₄) at a temperature below the decomposition temperature of GO (∼200 °C) was investigated for the first time with and without HF catalysis. At 25 °C, the reaction proceeds only at high SF₄ pressures (≥8 atm) when not catalyzed by HF and at 1 atm SF₄ under the catalysis of HF. The degree of fluorination increases at higher temperatures and SF₄ pressures. Hydroxy and carbonyl groups are replaced by fluorine following this reaction, and SF₄ and SOF₂ are introduced into the product, while the epoxy groups do not react. SF₄ and SOF₂ in the products are removed by washing with water. The obtained product is less hygroscopic than pristine GO owing to the hydrophobicity of the fluorine atom. The interlayer separation of the product is increased after deoxofluorination despite the smaller size of fluorine than the sizes of the oxygen-containing functional groups. When compared with direct fluorination using elemental fluorine, deoxofluorination using SF₄ has the advantages of high reactivity with hydroxy groups and the preservation of the carbon skeleton, and the reaction results in the formation of graphite oxyfluoride

Discharge Characteristic of Fluorinated Graphene-like Graphite as a Cathode of Lithium Primary Battery

The 64th special issue "Frontiers of Carbon Materials"Graphene-like graphite prepared by heating graphite oxide under vacuum at 800 degrees C was fluorinated by elemental fluorine in the presence of HF at room temperature. The interlayer spacing of the resulting material was 0.639 nm and it showed CxF type characteristics. The fluorine content of it (x = 1.7) was higher than that obtained from natural graphite (x = 2.3). The discharge capacity of it as a cathode of lithium primary battery reached 940 mAhg(-1) at a low current density, which was 50% larger than the theoretical capacity based on the 100% discharge of fluorine

PRONATE GLOBALLY BUT SUPINATE LOCALLY: EVIDENCE OF RADIO-ULNAR SUPINATION AT BALL RELEASE

The purpose of this study was to investigate the radio-ulnar longitudinal rotation during baseball pitching. We captured movements of nine skilled pitchers during pitching by using a system with 16 high-speed cameras (Vicon MX, 1000 Hz). Ten fastest trials which hit a target were averaged to obtain representative data for each participant. We found that the radio-ulnar joint supinated at around the moment of ball release (BRL), although the wrist continued rotating in the direction of pronation at around BRL in the global coordinate. The supination occurred due to the influence of the combination of elbow extension and shoulder internal rotation

Pathologically Proven Intraocular Infiltration With Adult T-Cell Leukemia/Lymphoma: Two New Cases With Either Vitreous Opacity or Aqueous Hypopyon and Literature Review of 16 Cases

This study reported 2 new patients and 16 historical cases with pathologically proven intraocular infiltration with adult T-cell leukemia and lymphoma (ATLL) to know the timing of intraocular infiltration in the disease course. The first case was a 67-year-old woman who developed bilateral vitreous opacity about half a year after the onset of acute type of ATLL that had been unresponsive to chemotherapy. She underwent vitrectomy combined with cataract surgery in both eyes. She had bilateral optic disc atrophy and localized retinal white infiltrates in both eyes. Cytological examination of vitreous aspirates demonstrated medium-sized cells with aberrant flower-like convoluted nuclei, positive for CD3, and thus indicative of T-cells. The second case was a 38-year-old man who was diagnosed acute type of ATLL at the presentation of acute kidney injury. About half a year after initial chemotherapy and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, he developed aqueous hypopyon in the right eye, concurrent with cutaneous and central nervous system relapse. Aqueous tap disclosed class V abnormal cells. The aqueous “pseudohypopyon” resolved in response to another round of chemotherapy with mogamulizumab. In review of 18 patients, intraocular infiltration with ATLL was diagnosed by vitrectomy in 9, aqueous tap in 3, chorioretinal biopsy in 3, and autopsy in 3. The intraocular infiltration developed concurrently with systemic diagnosis of ATLL in 5 patients, but developed later after chemotherapy in 13. In conclusion, intraocular infiltration with ATLL appears rare, and pathological diagnosis by vitrectomy and aqueous tap would help determine therapeutic plan in relapse after chemotherapy