Effect of forest structure and management on the functional diversity and composition of understorey plant communities

Questions Do forest structural parameters related to stand heterogeneity enhance functional diversity (FD) of understorey plant communities? Do FD and functional composition of understorey plant communities vary between high-forest (HF) and old coppices-with-standard (oldCWS) management types? Are HF stands characterized by a higher FD than oldCWS? Location Submediterranean beech forests of Montagne della Duchessa Reserve (central Italy). Methods We sampled 57 (20 m × 20 m) forest plots, 29 oldCWS and 28 HF stands, where we recorded plant species cover abundance. We used Leaf–Height–Seed and clonal traits, and run multiple separate linear models to quantify the effect of forest structural parameters and management types on FD and functional composition of understorey plant communities. Results We found that increasing lying deadwood enhanced FD of specific leaf area (SLA) through micro-environmental heterogeneity of soil fertility regardless of management type. We also found that increased horizontal stratification filtered the range of plant sizes, probably through light reduction. HF management enhanced FD of SLA and clonal traits through micro-environmental heterogeneity, while reducing the FD of plant size and seed mass. HF tended to select plant communities characterized by high resource acquisition strategies but lower persistence between ramets, possibly as an effect of more mature forest conditions. Conclusion Our study suggests that understorey plant community diversity and composition change in response to forest structure and management. Combining Leaf–Height–Seed with clonal traits offers a promising framework for understanding and predicting plant response to management practices

Postural evaluation and balance analysis in nordic skiing beginners

Se trata de un estudio de diseño transversal con evaluación del control postural antes-después de un curso de iniciación al esquí nórdico (5 jornadas, 6h/día), a un grupo experimental de 25 sujetos, participantes de la formación, y un grupo control de 8 sujetos. Se pretende evaluar el efecto de un entrenamiento inicial de esquí nórdico sobre el control postural en jóvenes deportistas. La estabilidad corporal se evaluó por medio de un test estabilométrico, calculando el área de desviación del centro de presiones por medio de una plataforma de fuerzas con sensores electrónicos. No se aprecian diferencias significativas en el grado de mejora del equilibrio entre el grupo experimental y el grupo control. Nuevos estudios con una mayor exigencia en la formación en esquí nórdico y un mayor número de sujetos en el grupo control son requeridosCross-sectional study with evaluation of postural control before and after a course of initiation to Nordic skiing (5 days, 6 hours per day). The sample consisted of an experimental group of 25 subjects participated in the training and a control group of 8 subjects. It is intended to evaluate the effect of initial training of Nordic skiing on postural control in young athletes. The physical stability was evaluated by a stabilometric test, calculating the deviation of the area of the center of pressures by the use of a force platform with electronic sensors. No significant differences were observed in the degree of improvement of the balance between the experimental group and the control group. New studies with a greater emphasis on training in Nordic skiing and a greater number of subjects in the control group are require

Análisis funcional y cinemático de la marcha en un paciente con lesión medular lumbar incompleta

Este estudio de investigación pretende analizar la evolución de la marcha en un paciente con lesión medular incompleta, tras ser sometido a un programa de entrenamiento de la marcha de forma asistida con soporte parcial del peso corporal con el sistema Lokomat®. Para ello se ha realizado una exploración física y funcional con las escalas de evaluación más utilizadas a éste nivel, conjuntamente con el análisis videográfico, permitiéndonos observar correlaciones entre los datos obtenidos en los apartados de pasos por minuto, velocidad y longitud de paso. Para poder corroborar estos datos, se ha realizado un estudio cinemático utilizando dos cámaras de alta definición, con una velocidad de filmación fijada en 100 imágenes por segundo, procesadas directamente a un ordenador, y realizando la Transformación de 2D a 3D, con el método Direct Linear Transformation (DLT) dado por el Performance Analysis System (APAS).The aim of this research study is to analyze the evolution of gait in a patient with incomplete lumbar spine injury, who was placed on an assisted gait training program with partial body-weight support using the Lokomat® system. A physical and functional assessment was carried out taking into account standard evaluation scales together with video analysis, which allowed us to observe correlations between the data collected for steps per minute, step speed and step length. To corroborate these data, a kinematic study was carried out using two high-resolution cameras with a shooting speed fixed at 100 images per second. Images were transferred directly to a computer and converted from 2D to 3D using the Direct Linear Transformation (DLT) method in the Ariel Performance Analysis System (APAS).Peer Reviewe

Farmacocinética de los anticuerpos monoclonales

Los anticuerpos monoclonales (mAb) representan uno de los grupos terapéuticos de mayor interés en el desarrollo farmacológico. Por toda su complejidad (estructural y funcional), el seguimiento farmacocinético de los fármacos biológicos debería ser imprescindible en la práctica clínica habitual. La absorción de los mAb tras su administración intramuscular o subcutánea se puede producir por vía sanguínea o linfática, y su distribución depende del mecanismo de extravasación, la afinidad del mAb para componentes tisulares y del aclaramiento (Cl) tisular. La eliminación se produce principalmente por proteolisis intracelular tras una endocitosis específica (mediada por receptor) o inespecífica. Por otro lado, la captación y posterior liberación del mAb, la redistribución del flujo sanguíneo por procesos fisiológicos, la formación de complejos y el proceso de reciclaje mediante el receptor de Brambell son los mecanismos fisiológicos que condicionan su variabilidad farmacocinética intraindividual. Además, la inmunogenicidad frente al mAb, el peso del paciente y la cantidad de antígeno diana son los principales factores que afectan a su variabilidad farmacocinética. Palabras clave: Anticuerpo monoclonal, farmacocinética, variabilidad

Early functional and morphological muscle adaptations during short-term inertial-squat training

Purpose: To assess early changes in muscle function and hypertrophy, measured as increases in muscle cross-sectional areas (CSAs) and total volume, over a 4 weeks inertial resistance training (RT) program. Methods: Ten young RT-naive volunteers (age 23.4 4.1 years) underwent 10 training sessions (2-3 per week) consisting of five sets of 10 flywheel squats (moment of inertia 900 kg cm2). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of both thighs were performed before (PRE), and after 2 (IN) and 4 (POST) weeks of training to compute individual muscle volumes and regional CSAs. Scans were performed after 96 h of recovery after training sessions, to avoid any influence of acute muscle swelling. PRE and POST regional muscle activation was assessed using muscle functional MRI (mfMRI) scans. Concentric (CON) and eccentric (ECC) squat force and power, as well as maximal voluntary isometric contraction force (MVIC) of knee extensors and flexors, were measured in every training session. Results: Significant quadriceps hypertrophy was detected during (IN: 5.5% 1.9%) and after (POST: 8.6% 3.6%) the training program. Increases in squat force (CON: 32% 15%, ECC: 31 15%) and power (CON: 51% 30%, ECC: 48% 27%) were observed over the training program. Knee extensor MVIC significantly increased 28% 17% after training, but no changes were seen in knee flexor MVIC. No correlation was found between regional muscular activation in the first session and the % of increase in regional CSAs (r = -0.043, P = 0.164). Conclusion: This study reports the earliest onset of whole-muscle hypertrophy documented to date. The process initiates early and continues in response to RT, contributing to initial increases in force. The results call into question the reliability of mfMRI as a tool for predicting the potential hypertrophic effects of a given strengthening exercise

Kinematic characteristics of the long jump approach run in paralympic-level male limb-deficients

The purpose of this study was to define the variables typifying the long jump approach run phase in paralympic-level male amputees. The sample comprised of the eleven (4 transtibial, 5 transfemoral and 2 single below-the-knee amputees). The parameters analysed were: official distance, toe-to-board distance, effective distance, stride contact time, stride flight time, total stride time, stride length, stride frequency, stride velocity, horizontal velocity, vertical velocity, resultant velocity, height of body center of mass, take-off stride angle, relative differences in stride length and relative differences in stride frequency. The findings of the study revealed that 77.8% of the para-athletes perform the take-off with the leg supported by the prosthesis. Horizontal velocity during the last three strides before take-off has been shown to have a high correlation with the official jump distance: 3rd last (r=0.65, p<0.05), 2nd last (r=0.69, p<0.05) and last (r=0.67, p<0.05) strides. Stride length and stride frequency patterns for the 3rd, 2nd and last strides were as follows: medium-long-short and high-low-high. Horizontal velocity at the last stride is higher compared to the preceding two. The findings of the study support the notion that a wide range of similarities exist in the running patterns and factors correlating with jumping distance between Paralympic amputee athletes and able-bodied high-level athletes

Ventilatory threshold prediction by spectral analysis of heart rate variability in incremental maximal tests

Ventilatory thresholds (VT1 and VT2) are useful in many fields of medicine and sports. Nevertheless, their measurement is cumbersome and needs trained personnel. This work proposes an alternative method to predict VT1, VT2 and maximum loads in incremental maximal tests based on heart rate variability (HRV) analysis. Twelve competitive male cyclists executed an incremental exhaustive test. During the test, RR time series and gas concentrations were recorded. After artifact correction the power spectrum was estimated in a sliding window, and central frequency (CF) and bandwidth that contains half the total power (BW) were computed. An automatic algorithm recognized the loads where CF and BW undergo a significant change. These loads were used as inputs in linear regression models to predict VT1, VT2 and maximum loads. The errors of the predictions are similar to the load resolution.Postprint (published version

Spatiotemporal characteristics of motor actions by blind long jump athletes

Background Blind people depend on spatial and temporal representations to perform activities of daily living and compete in sport. Objective The aim of this study is to determine the spatiotemporal characteristics of long jumps performed by blind athletes and compare findings with those reported for sighted athletes. Methods We analysed a sample of 12 male athletes competing in the F11 Long Jump Finals at the Paralympic Games in London 2012. Performances were recorded using four high-speed cameras, and speeds were measured using a radar speed gun. The images were processed using validated image analysis software. Results The long jump run-up is shorter in blind athletes than in sighted athletes. We observed statistically significant differences for body centre of mass velocity and an increase in speed over the last three strides prior to take-off, contrasting with reports for sighted athletes and athletes with less severe visual impairment, who maintain or reduce their speed during the last stride. Stride length for the last three strides was the only spatial characteristic that was not significantly associated with effective jump distance. Blind long jumpers extend rather than shorten their last stride. Contact time with the take-off board is longer than that reported for sighted athletes. Conclusion The actions of blind long jumpers, unlike those without disabilities, do not vary their leg actions during the final runway approach for optimal placement on the take-off board

Atmospheric polarimetric effects on GNSS radio occultations: the ROHP-PAZ field campaign

The ROHP-PAZ mission will collect, for the first time, GPS radio occultations at two polarizations with the aim of characterizing rain. Prior to the mission's launch (2016), a field campaign has been conducted to identify and understand the measurements. In this study we present the set-up and the results of such a campaign: the main finding is the confirmation of sensitivity to heavy rain and, unexpectedly, to other frozen hydrometeors. This is key information for the spaceborne experiment.This study was conducted under the Spanish ACI2010-1089 and AYA2011-29183-C02-02 grant, with contributions from EUMETSAT’s ROM SAF CDOP2

Early Functional and Morphological Muscle Adaptations During Short-Term Inertial-Squat Training

Purpose: To assess early changes in muscle function and hypertrophy, measured as increases in muscle cross-sectional areas (CSAs) and total volume, over a 4 weeks inertial resistance training (RT) program.Methods: Ten young RT-naive volunteers (age 23.4 ± 4.1 years) underwent 10 training sessions (2–3 per week) consisting of five sets of 10 flywheel squats (moment of inertia 900 kg⋅cm2). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of both thighs were performed before (PRE), and after 2 (IN) and 4 (POST) weeks of training to compute individual muscle volumes and regional CSAs. Scans were performed after ≥96 h of recovery after training sessions, to avoid any influence of acute muscle swelling. PRE and POST regional muscle activation was assessed using muscle functional MRI (mfMRI) scans. Concentric (CON) and eccentric (ECC) squat force and power, as well as maximal voluntary isometric contraction force (MVIC) of knee extensors and flexors, were measured in every training session.Results: Significant quadriceps hypertrophy was detected during (IN: 5.5% ± 1.9%) and after (POST: 8.6% ± 3.6%) the training program. Increases in squat force (CON: 32% ± 15%, ECC: 31 ± 15%) and power (CON: 51% ± 30%, ECC: 48% ± 27%) were observed over the training program. Knee extensor MVIC significantly increased 28% ± 17% after training, but no changes were seen in knee flexor MVIC. No correlation was found between regional muscular activation in the first session and the % of increase in regional CSAs (r = -0.043, P = 0.164).Conclusion: This study reports the earliest onset of whole-muscle hypertrophy documented to date. The process initiates early and continues in response to RT, contributing to initial increases in force. The results call into question the reliability of mfMRI as a tool for predicting the potential hypertrophic effects of a given strengthening exercise