Synergic Sustainability Implications of Additive Manufacturing in Automotive Spare Parts: A Case Analysis

This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Supply Chain Management: Social, Economic and Environmental Aspects.Triple bottom line (3BL) approaches to sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) often involve trade-offs between their three dimensions (economic, environmental, and social), thus curtailing its application and leading to goal unalignment among stakeholders. Under some circumstances, however, synergic approaches (typically involving disruptive innovations) might allow simultaneous improvement in one or more dimensions without compromising the others. This paper analyzes one such case: the potential of properly designed additive manufacturing approaches in the automotive spare parts industry to simultaneously boost profits and reduce environmental impact. It is based on the systematic analysis of the real spare parts business of a mid-size automotive brand in Spain. Its results suggest that such synergic, self-reinforcing opportunities do indeed exist, and might even be further developed by strategically integrating sustainability constituents such as circularity

The Effect of Weekly Training Load across a Competitive Microcycle on Contextual Variables in Professional Soccer

10 p.Analysis of the key performance variables in soccer is one of the most continuous and attractive research topics. Using global positioning devices (GPS), the primary aim of this study was to highlight the physiological response of a professional soccer team across competitive microcycles in-season according to the most influential contextual performance variables. Determining the training load (TL), a work ratio was established between all recorded data within the training sessions and the competitive profile (CP). Each microcycle was classified in accordance with the contextual variables: opponent level (high, medium, low), match location (home and away) and score (win, draw, lose). Results revealed that the team were significantly more successful (games won) in competitive games against high-level opponents and when played at home. Cumulative microcycle/ weekly training load (WTL) was significantly lower when the team won. In addition to the opponent level and the match location, WTL could condition the athlete?s performance in the competition. Competitive performance responses are the main source of information for the planning of training programs. The results of this study could be used as a reference to structure TL and WTL according to contextual variables in the competition. This study, which is the first of its kind, revealed that WTL effects the performance of the players in the competition

Workloads of Different Soccer-Specific Drills in Professional Players

Soccer is a predominantly tactical sport and, therefore, tactical training has become the most widely used strategy to improve players&apos; performance. The objective of the present study was to assess the workload of soccer-specific drills in professional players over a two-season period in an established context. GPS technology was used to record the data. One hundred and thirty-two (n = 132) soccer-specific drills were studied and grouped by categories. The individual demands of each task were related to the individual competitive profile of each player. The level of physical demand was significantly different in relation to the specific soccer drills analysed. Total distance covered, high-speed running, and the total number of high accelerations and decelerations were significantly higher in competition than in drills used for training sessions (p < .001). The Large-Sided Games (LSG), Big-Position Games (BPG) and Position Games (PG) showed higher maximum running speed values than the rest of the exercises (p < .01). The sum of high accelerations and decelerations values was greater in the Small-Sided Games (SSG) than in BPG (p < .001), Small-Position Games (SPG) (p < .001) and Physical-Technical Circuits (PTC) (p < .001). Significant differences were observed in the exercises analysed according to the player?s position. The current findings provide a detailed description of conditional demands placed on soccer players in different soccer-specific drills during training sessions, in a professional soccer context and according to their playing position, which may be helpful in the development of individualized training programs in other contexts

Influence of the use of resin on the velocity and precision of handball throws

El manejo del balón se considera determinante en la precisión y potencia de los lanzamientos en balonmano. Para facilitar este manejo, el reglamento permite utilizar un material adhesivo denominado “resina” a los jugadores. El propósito del estudio fue analizar la influencia de la resina sobre la velocidad y precisión del lanzamiento, tanto en hombres como en mujeres en etapas formativas (sub-18) y sénior. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 46 jugadores (31 hombres y 15 mujeres) que realizaron un protocolo de 6 lanzamientos a distancia con la intención de aplicar la máxima velocidad y precisión. De forma aleatoria, cada sujeto lanzó 3 veces sin resina, y otras 3 con resina. Los resultados mostraron una mayor velocidad con el uso de resina en el total de la muestra analizada. Los lanzamientos con resina fueron un 6,56% más veloces (p 0,05). Además, no se encontraron diferencias entre los subgrupos de análisis (p > 0,05). Por tanto, el uso de resina parece ser determinante en la velocidad de lanzamiento. Estos resultados son de elevada aplicación práctica tanto en el ámbito del entrenamiento deportivo como para la valoración de la importancia del lanzamiento en el rendimiento ofensivo de un equipo de balonmano.The handling of the ball is considered to be a determining factor in the precision and power of handball throws. To facilitate ball handling, the rules allow players to use an adhesive material called ‘resin’. The aim of the study was to analyse the influence of the resin on the throw velocity and accuracy, both in men and women in formative (U-18) and senior categories. The sample consisted of 46 players (31 men and 15 women) who performed a protocol of 6 distance throws with the intention of maximum velocity and accuracy. Randomly, each subject threw 3 times without resin and 3 times with resin. The results showed a higher velocity with the use of resin in the whole sample analysed. Throws with resin were 6.56% faster (p 0,05). Furthermore, no differences were found between the analysis subgroups (p > 0.05). The use of resin seems to be a determinant of throwing velocity. These results are highly applicable both in the field of sport training and for the evaluation of the importance of the throw in the offensive performance of a handball team.peerReviewe

ERK5/BMK1 is a novel target of the tumor suppressor VHL: implication in clear cell renal carcinoma

Hi ha quatre pàgines de material suplementari sense numeracióExtracellular signal-regulated kinase 5 (ERK5), also known as big mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) 1, is implicated in a wide range of biologic processes, which include proliferation or vascularization. Here, we show that ERK5 is degraded through the ubiquitin-proteasome system, in a process mediated by the tumor suppressor von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) gene, through a prolyl hydroxylation-dependent mechanism. Our conclusions derive from transient transfection assays in Cos7 cells, as well as the study of endogenous ERK5 in different experimental systems such as MCF7, HMEC, or Caki-2 cell lines. In fact, the specific knockdown of ERK5 in pVHL-negative cell lines promotes a decrease in proliferation and migration, supporting the role of this MAPK in cellular transformation. Furthermore, in a short series of fresh samples from human clear cell renal cell carcinoma, high levels of ERK5 correlate with more aggressive and metastatic stages of the disease. Therefore, our results provide new biochemical data suggesting that ERK5 is a novel target of the tumor suppressor VHL, opening a new field of research on the role of ERK5 in renal carcinomas

Role of age and comorbidities in mortality of patients with infective endocarditis

[Purpose]: The aim of this study was to analyse the characteristics of patients with IE in three groups of age and to assess the ability of age and the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) to predict mortality. [Methods]: Prospective cohort study of all patients with IE included in the GAMES Spanish database between 2008 and 2015.Patients were stratified into three age groups:<65 years,65 to 80 years,and ≥ 80 years.The area under the receiver-operating characteristic (AUROC) curve was calculated to quantify the diagnostic accuracy of the CCI to predict mortality risk. [Results]: A total of 3120 patients with IE (1327 < 65 years;1291 65-80 years;502 ≥ 80 years) were enrolled.Fever and heart failure were the most common presentations of IE, with no differences among age groups.Patients ≥80 years who underwent surgery were significantly lower compared with other age groups (14.3%,65 years; 20.5%,65-79 years; 31.3%,≥80 years). In-hospital mortality was lower in the <65-year group (20.3%,<65 years;30.1%,65-79 years;34.7%,≥80 years;p < 0.001) as well as 1-year mortality (3.2%, <65 years; 5.5%, 65-80 years;7.6%,≥80 years; p = 0.003).Independent predictors of mortality were age ≥ 80 years (hazard ratio [HR]:2.78;95% confidence interval [CI]:2.32–3.34), CCI ≥ 3 (HR:1.62; 95% CI:1.39–1.88),and non-performed surgery (HR:1.64;95% CI:11.16–1.58).When the three age groups were compared,the AUROC curve for CCI was significantly larger for patients aged <65 years(p < 0.001) for both in-hospital and 1-year mortality. [Conclusion]: There were no differences in the clinical presentation of IE between the groups. Age ≥ 80 years, high comorbidity (measured by CCI),and non-performance of surgery were independent predictors of mortality in patients with IE.CCI could help to identify those patients with IE and surgical indication who present a lower risk of in-hospital and 1-year mortality after surgery, especially in the <65-year group

Treatment with tocilizumab or corticosteroids for COVID-19 patients with hyperinflammatory state: a multicentre cohort study (SAM-COVID-19)

Objectives: The objective of this study was to estimate the association between tocilizumab or corticosteroids and the risk of intubation or death in patients with coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) with a hyperinflammatory state according to clinical and laboratory parameters. Methods: A cohort study was performed in 60 Spanish hospitals including 778 patients with COVID-19 and clinical and laboratory data indicative of a hyperinflammatory state. Treatment was mainly with tocilizumab, an intermediate-high dose of corticosteroids (IHDC), a pulse dose of corticosteroids (PDC), combination therapy, or no treatment. Primary outcome was intubation or death; follow-up was 21 days. Propensity score-adjusted estimations using Cox regression (logistic regression if needed) were calculated. Propensity scores were used as confounders, matching variables and for the inverse probability of treatment weights (IPTWs). Results: In all, 88, 117, 78 and 151 patients treated with tocilizumab, IHDC, PDC, and combination therapy, respectively, were compared with 344 untreated patients. The primary endpoint occurred in 10 (11.4%), 27 (23.1%), 12 (15.4%), 40 (25.6%) and 69 (21.1%), respectively. The IPTW-based hazard ratios (odds ratio for combination therapy) for the primary endpoint were 0.32 (95%CI 0.22-0.47; p < 0.001) for tocilizumab, 0.82 (0.71-1.30; p 0.82) for IHDC, 0.61 (0.43-0.86; p 0.006) for PDC, and 1.17 (0.86-1.58; p 0.30) for combination therapy. Other applications of the propensity score provided similar results, but were not significant for PDC. Tocilizumab was also associated with lower hazard of death alone in IPTW analysis (0.07; 0.02-0.17; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Tocilizumab might be useful in COVID-19 patients with a hyperinflammatory state and should be prioritized for randomized trials in this situatio

Comparison of training and match load between metabolic and running speed metrics of professional Spanish soccer players by playing position

The aims of this study were to compare the training and match load of professional soccer players according to the playing position, and analyse the relationship between the metabolic and running speed metrics. Thirty professional male soccer players belonging to a Spanish First Division team were analysed using global positioning system devices (GPEXE Pro 18.18 Hz) during training and competition (n = 36 training weeks and n = 41 matches). The results showed significant differences between positions on match day; central midfielders covered higher total distance and low- and medium-speed running distance (moderate to large effect size) than central defenders, external defenders and forwards; forwards performed more metabolic power events than central defenders, central midfielders and wide midfielders; and central defenders showed the lowest very-high-speed running. Different patterns were observed in training. Furthermore, the equivalent distance index showed a strong correlation with accelerations and decelerations events. The main findings were that the physical responses found in training did not correspond with match demands by position; both metabolic and traditional approaches should be used together for load monitoring in professional soccer players; and finally, metabolic power events and the equivalent-distance index seem to be variables that help to differentiate more clearly the characteristics of the player, taking into account their playing position

Aprendizaje basado en experiencias de interés a partir del área de Educación Física

La presente experiencia recoge una propuesta didáctica llevada a cabo con un grupo de alumnos y alumnas de un centro educativo del norte de la provincia de Granada, desde un enfoque común y cooperativo, por parte del profesorado del centro. Entendemos que es la heterogeneidad fundamentada en el interés de cada discente la que justifica la búsqueda de una pedagogía performática que se sustente en planteamientos rizomáticos, orientados en definitiva, al desarrollo de la individualidad como raíz que reclama nuevos métodos que interesen al alumnado. Se trata de concienciar a la comunidad educativa de la necesidad de provocar aprendizajes basados en la autonomía, promoviendo entornos de aprendizaje interactivos, construidos a partir de blogs colectivos gestionados de forma cooperativa por todo el grupo-clase, y blogs individuales, diseñados y gestionados por los propios alumnos/as que construyen su conocimiento a través de temas elegidos por ellos mismos que denominamos �experiencias de interés�, acercándose a su entorno real más inmediato. Se pretende partir de historias de vida, que progresen a partir del área de Educación Física, a través del error, y se materialicen finalmente y como consecuencia, en todas las áreas de la Educación Primaria. Pretendemos, por tanto, además, acercamos al concepto de autonomía de aprendizaje desde la experiencia y los propios intereses del alumnado