Visual Focus and Sports Performance

The connection between how a physical movement is processed in the brain to how the body physically completes the task is significant in the sports world. Information from the environment must be observed and processed in order to develop a resulting course of action for particular athletic skills. More specifically, the brains of soccer players must smoothly adjust between internal and external cognitive pathways when making sports related decisions thousands of times during games and practices. A study by Wood and Wilson revealed that gaze coordination and aiming accuracy are closely related (2010). The current study extended this study to examine other factors that affect accuracy with and without a keeper under controlled conditions. The aim of the study was to find the connection between visual focus patterns and the development of sports performance execution. Through analyzing the visual focus patterns of participants, compared to how accurate the participants were penalty kicks, we were able to enhance our understanding of how the internal and external cognitive network assigned to making and executing decisions regarding sports related activities could be advanced. It is hypothesized that when gaze coordination exhibits greater external focus, there will be less interference among internal action signals resulting in more accurate performance. Participants completed a series of 24 penalty kicks, performing 6 penalty kicks within each of four conditions: No Keeper/No Target, Keeper/No Target, No Keeper/Target, and Keeper/Target. Having a target indicates that the participant was required to look at a red cardstock (RC) posted to the center of the crossbar before completing their penalty kick. Eye movements were recorded and analyzed alongside the quality of their penalty kicks. Kick quality was measured using velocity of the kick, distance of the shot from the center of the goal, and whether the goal was scored. Eye movement patterns were collected using TOBII eyeglass equipment, which recorded fixation duration, fixation count, visit duration, and visit count measurements among various areas of interest on the goal. There were 7 areas of interest, 6 areas dividing the goal: Top Left (1), Bottom Left (2), Top Center (RC) (3), Bottom Center (4), Top Right (5), Bottom Right (6) and one area of interest for the ball (7). Repeated-measures ANOVA revealed that participants were more accurate when there was no keeper present and when they were required to focus on an external target (RC). In examining eye movement patterns, it was found that the greater the external focus, either on the target or the ball, as indicated by number of fixations, duration, and visits, the greater the accuracy of the kick. Based on the study’s results, increased gaze coordination (focusing on a target external to the participant) increased the accuracy of the kick. Consistent with our hypothesis, this suggests that by focusing on a target before performing a penalty kick occupies a participant’s external cognitive pathway, creating a purer internal cognitive signal that allows for higher quality penalty kicks to result

Visual Focus and Sports Performance

Understanding how an athlete’s mind and body interact is vital in finding ways to promote maximal athletic performance. Athletes are required to smoothly connect their external environment to internal motor networks for executing sports specific tasks. A study by Corbetta and Shulman aimed to explain how quiet eye (QE) connects with athletic performance. Their study defined QE as the “final fixation to a target during the preparation phase of a goal-directed movement” (2002). Corbetta and Shulman found that QE measurements were longer when maximizing “goal-directed” attention and minimizing “stimulus-driven” attention (2002). PURPOSE: This study analyzes the distance between where an athlete looks and where they kick to understand how gaze correlates with kick accuracy. We hypothesize that shorter kick-to-gaze distances predict higher accuracy kicks due to minimizing external gaze deviation so that internal networks create purer signals that increase penalty kick execution. METHODS: Participants completed a series of 24 penalty kicks, performing 6 penalty kicks within each of four conditions: No Keeper/No Target, Keeper/No Target, No Keeper/Target, and Keeper/Target. Having a target indicates that the participant was required to look at a red cardstock (RC) posted to the center of the crossbar before completing their kick. Eye movements were recorded, along with penalty kick quality and accuracy. Kick quality was measured using ball velocity, while kick accuracy was determined by whether the goal was scored. Eye movement patterns were collected using TOBII eyeglass equipment, which recorded fixation duration and count along with visit duration and count among various areas of interest. There were 7 areas of interest total. 6 areas divide the goal into Top Left (1), Bottom Left (2), Top Center (RC) (3), Bottom Center (4), Top Right (5), Bottom Right (6) regions and one area of interest was assigned for the ball (7). RESULTS: Analyzing where participants looked prior to their kick identified that athletes spend the greatest time looking towards the center region of the goal for all experimental conditions; No Keeper/No Target = 51.3% of kicks, Keeper/No Target =55.1%, No Keeper/Target = 76.9%, and Keeper/Target = 74.3%. Regarding ball landing location, the distance from center decreased the longer a participant looked at the ball prior to kick. Furthermore, the longer a participant looked at the goal prior to kick was found to directly associate with distance from the center. CONCLUSION: With accuracy being defined as in the goal but away from center, our results suggest that the longer a participant spent looking at the ball, the less accurate their kicks. Additionally, the more time an athlete spent looking in the direction of the goal, their accuracy increased. This provides partial support for our hypothesis and suggests that focusing on a target, as opposed to ball, prior to kick led to greater accuracy for our participants. Given participants were skilled soccer players (mean years played = 10.9; SD = 4.2), future studies could examine if this pattern is consistent among novice players

Controvérsias acerca da aplicação do incidente de resolução de demandas repetitivas nos juizados especiais

O presente trabalho tem por objetivo analisar a compatibilidade entre o Incidente de Resolução de Demandas Repetitivas (IRDR) e os Juizados Especiais. Parte-se da constatação de que o IRDR foi uma das grandes inovações trazidas pelo Código de Processo Civil de 2015 e que tem por finalidade precípua encontrar tese jurídica que será aplicada de forma isonômica a todas as ações que versem sobre a mesma questão de direito. Promove, desta maneira, segurança jurídica. Ao mesmo tempo, os Juizados Especiais compõem um microssistema próprio e à parte da Justiça Comum e que nos últimos anos tem sofrido com a litigiosidade de massa e as demandas repetitivas. Diante deste cenário, o legislador inseriu a atuação do IRDR no âmbito dos Juizados Especiais. Todavia, o modo pelo qual foram elaborados os dispositivos legais que versam sobre o tema abre margem para diversas discussões, incluindo a inconstitucionalidade do IRDR. Faz-se necessário contrapor as previsões legislativas infraconstitucionais, a Constituição Federal e a jurisprudência até então existente, verificando-se a possibilidade de harmonização entre o IRDR, os Juizados Especiais e a Magna Carta. A presente pesquisa baseou-se no método dialético, com a seleção e posterior sistematização de bibliografia e jurisprudência a respeito do tema

Shear bond strength of self-etch and total-etch bonding systems at different dentin depths

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the dentin shear bond strength of four adhesive systems (Adper Single Bond 2, Adper Prompt L-Pop, Magic Bond DE and Self Etch Bond) in regards to buccal and lingual surfaces and dentin depth. Forty extracted third molars had roots removed and crowns bisected in the mesiodistal direction. The buccal and lingual surfaces were fixed in a PVC/acrylic resin ring and were divided into buccal and lingual groups assigned to each selected adhesive. The same specimens prepared for the evaluation of superficial dentin shear resistance were used to evaluate the different depths of dentin. The specimens were identified and abraded at depths of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mm. Each depth was evaluated by ISO TR 11405 using an EMIC-2000 machine regulated at 0.5 mm/min with a 200 Kgf load cell. We performed statistical analyses on the results (ANOVA, Tukey and Scheffé tests). Data revealed statistical differences (p < 0.01) in the adhesive and depth variation as well as adhesive/depth interactions. The Adper Single Bond 2 demonstrated the highest mean values of shear bond strength. The Prompt L-Pop product, a self-etching adhesive, revealed higher mean values compared with Magic Bond DE and Self Etch Bond adhesives, a total and self-etching adhesive respectively. It may be concluded that the shear bond strength of dentin is dependent on material (adhesive system), substrate depth and adhesive/depth interaction

Dinâmica da abscisão de estruturas reprodutivas em acessos de feijoeiro comum

Genotypes from the Andean and Mesoamerican gene pool can present contrasting behavior for reproductive structures fixation. The subject of this study was to determine the dynamics associated with the abscission of reproductive structures for common bean accesses from Andean and Mesoamerican gene pools in protected cultivation conditions. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse, using seven common bean accesses from Embrapa Arroz e Feijão and the experimental design consisted of a randomized complete block design. The evaluations made were based on the number of days to begin flowering, flowering period, number of emitted flowers per plant, number of flower buds, flowers and pods aborted per plant, total number of pods per plant and number of seeds per plant.Certain characteristics were considered to be highly significant, such as the amount of days to begin flowering, the flowering period, percentage of aborted pods and number of harvested pods. The Mesoamerican accesses that presented greater abortion also produced more flowers, which suggests that abortion of reproductive structures can be a natural adjustment of the plant. Andean accessions with shorter reproductive period showed greater pod abortion. The dynamics of flower and pod abscission in the common bean proved to be widely variable depending on the different gene pools and genotypes evaluated and due to growth habit.Genótipos do pool gênico andino e mesoamericano podem apresentar comportamentos contrastantes para a fixação de estruturas reprodutivas. O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a dinâmica associada à abscisão de estruturas reprodutivas para acessos de feijoeiro comum dos pools gênicos andino e mesoamericano em condições de cultivo protegido. O experimento foi conduzido em casa de vegetação, utilizando-se sete acessos de feijoeiro da Embrapa Arroz e Feijão e o delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados. As avaliações feitas foram o número de dias para o início da floração, período de floração, número de flores emitidas por planta, número de botões florais, flores e frutos abortados por planta, número total de frutos por planta e número de sementes por planta. Observou-se significância para as características de dias para início do florescimento, período de floração, porcentagem de vagens abortadas e número de vagens colhidas. Os acessos mesoamericanos que apresentaram maior aborto também produziram mais flores, o que sugere que o aborto de estruturas reprodutivas pode ser um ajuste natural da planta. Acessos andinos com menor período reprodutivo, apresentaram maior aborto de frutos. A dinâmica de abscisão da flor e da vagem no feijoeiro mostrou-se amplamente variável dependendo dos diferentes pools gênicos e genótipos avaliados, devido ao hábito de crescimento

Análise multivariada como ferramenta nas seleções iniciais de linhaça dourada (Linum usitatissimum L.)

The genetic variability in plant populations can be estimated through multivariate analysis, which allows to analyze the genotypes based on a set of traits to identify the traits with the greatest influence for the divergence and the correlation between them. In this sense, the objective of the present work was to estimate the genetic divergence between golden flax lines using multivariate analysis for initial plant selections. For this purpose, 73 lines, in addition to the control, were tested in a randomized complete block design, with three replications, and traits of cycle, stature, and yield were measured. Twelve groups were obtained based on the Mahalanobis distance estimate and Tocher cluster, and the technical length was the most important trait for the dissimilarity. The line of group XI was promising, with early maturation and satisfactory seed productivity. The graphic of dispersion of the canonical variables showed the most divergent lines, and the greatest divergence was observed between groups III and IV. Multivariate analysis was an important tool for the initial choice of superior golden flax.A variabilidade genética em populações de plantas pode ser estimada através da análise multivariada, que permite analisar os genótipos com base em um conjunto de características, identificar aquela com maior influência para a divergência e a correlação entre elas. Neste sentido, o objetivo do presente trabalho foi estimar a divergência genética entre linhagens de linhaça dourada, a partir de análises multivariadas, para seleções iniciais de plantas. Para tanto, 73 linhagens, além da testemunha, foram testadas em delineamento de blocos ao acaso, com três repetições, sendo medidas as características de ciclo, estatura e produtividade. Foram obtidos 12 grupos, sendo a característica mais importante para a dissimilaridade o comprimento técnico. O gráfico de dispersão das variáveis canônicas mostrou as progênies mais divergentes, sendo que a maior divergência foi verificada entre os grupos III e IV. A análise multivariada foi importante ferramenta para a escolha inicial das linhagens superiores de linhaça dourada

Legionella control in the water system of antiquated hospital buildings by shock and continuous hyperchlorination: 5 years experience

To control the presence of Legionella in an old hospital water system, an integrated strategy of water disinfection-filtration was implemented in the university hospital Umberto I in Rome. Due to antiquated buildings, hospital water system design and hospital extension (38 buildings), shock hyperchlorination (sodium hypochlorite, 20-50 ppm of free chlorine at distal points for 1-2 h) followed by continuous hyperchlorination (0.5-1.0 mg/L at distal points) were adopted, and microbiological and chemical monitoring of the water supply was carried out in the university hospital (December 2006-December 2011). Overall, 1308 samples of cold 45°C (17.8%) water were collected, determining residual free chlorine (0.43 ± 0.44 mg/L), pH (7.43 ± 0.29) and trihalomethanes (8.97 ± 18.56 μg/L). Legionella was isolated in 102 (9.8%) out of 1.041 water samples without filters (L. pneumophila sg 1 17.6%, L. pneumophila sg 2-14 28.4%, L. non pneumophila 53.9%), and in none of the 267 samples with filters. Legionella was recovered in 23 buildings out of 38 and 29 samples (28.4%) exceeded 103 cfu/L. When considering the disinfection treatment Legionella was isolated: before shock hyperchlorination (21.1%), 15 days after shock hyperchlorination (7.8%), 30 days after shock hyperchlorination (3.5%), during continuous hyperchlorination (5.5%) and without continuous hyperchlorination (27.3%). Continuous hyperchlorination following the shock treatment achieved >70% reduction of positive samples, whereas no continuous hyperchlorination after shock treatment was more frequently associated to Legionella isolation (OR 6.41; 95% CI 3.10-13.26; p 0.5 < 1.0 mg/L) deteriorated water quality (organoleptic and chemical). However, shock and continuous hyperchlorination remains a valid-term option in old buildings with no water system rational design, managing problems due to hospital extension and absence of a proper hot water recirculation system

Agronomic performance and yield stability of yellow flax genotypes in the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil

Abstract The objective of this work was to evaluate the performance and yield stability of yellow flax genotypes, as well as to identify the best ones for breeding. Nineteen lines and a local variety were cultivated in the 2018, 2019, and 2020 crop seasons in two environments (municipalities) in the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Number of capsules per plant, plant yield, grain yield, and final stand were determined. Data were analyzed across genotypes within each environment and across environments within genotypes. Genotype × environment interactions were evaluated by a joint analysis, in which stability and adaptability parameters were estimated. Correlations between final plant stand and yield components were also estimated. There is a high variability in the productive performance among genotypes. The genotype × environment interactions influenced plant traits. The effect of factors related to soil, climate, and population density on number of capsules and grain weight must be considered. The flax genotypes present high grain yield means in all environments. The analysis of stability and adaptability reveals that genotypes LINPG87 and LINPG88 stand out in productive performance and stability