A Note on Wavelet Correlation and Cointegration

In a recent paper Leong-Huang:2010 {Journal of Applied Statistics 37, 215–233} proposed a wavelet-correlation-based approach to test for cointegration between two time series. However, correlation and cointegration are two different concepts even when wavelet analysis is used. It is known that statistics based on nonstationary integrated variables have non-standard asymptotic distributions. However, wavelet analysis offsets the integrating order of nonstationary series so that traditional asymptotics on stationary variables suffices to ascertain the statistical properties of wavelet-based statistics. Based on this, this note shows that wavelet correlations cannot be used as a test of cointegration.

A novel form of human disease with a protease-sensitive prion protein and heterozygosity methionine/valine at codon 129: Case report

Background: Sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (sCJD) is a rare neurodegenerative disorder in humans included in the group of Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies or prion diseases. The vast majority of sCJD cases are molecularly classified according to the abnormal prion protein (PrPSc) conformations along with polymorphism of codon 129 of the PRNP gene. Recently, a novel human disease, termed "protease-sensitive prionopathy", has been described. This disease shows a distinct clinical and neuropathological phenotype and it is associated to an abnormal prion protein more sensitive to protease digestion. Case presentation: We report the case of a 75-year-old-man who developed a clinical course and presented pathologic lesions compatible with sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, and biochemical findings reminiscent of "protease-sensitive prionopathy". Neuropathological examinations revealed spongiform change mainly affecting the cerebral cortex, putamen/globus pallidus and thalamus, accompanied by mild astrocytosis and microgliosis, with slight involvement of the cerebellum. Confluent vacuoles were absent. Diffuse synaptic PrP deposits in these regions were largely removed following proteinase treatment. PrP deposition, as revealed with 3F4 and 1E4 antibodies, was markedly sensitive to pre-treatment with proteinase K. Molecular analysis of PrPSc showed an abnormal prion protein more sensitive to proteinase K digestion, with a five-band pattern of 28, 24, 21, 19, and 16 kDa, and three aglycosylated isoforms of 19, 16 and 6 kDa. This PrPSc was estimated to be 80% susceptible to digestion while the pathogenic prion protein associated with classical forms of sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease were only 2% (type VV2) and 23% (type MM1) susceptible. No mutations in the PRNP gene were found and genotype for codon 129 was heterozygous methionine/valine. Conclusions: A novel form of human disease with abnormal prion protein sensitive to protease and MV at codon 129 was described. Although clinical signs were compatible with sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, the molecular subtype with the abnormal prion protein isoforms showing enhanced protease sensitivity was reminiscent of the "protease-sensitive prionopathy". It remains to be established whether the differences found between the latter and this case are due to the polymorphism at codon 129. Different degrees of proteinase K susceptibility were easily determined with the chemical polymer detection system which could help to detect proteinase-susceptible pathologic prion protein in diseases other than the classical ones.

An??lisis de la oferta de actividades de fitness en Pamplona y propuesta alternativa

En el presente documento se realiza un an??lisis de la oferta que se da en el mundo de los gimnasios en la ciudad de Pamplona y se propone la creaci??n de un gimnasio que tendr?? el HIIT como metodolog??a de entrenamiento y en torno a la que girar??n una serie de actividades elegidas de entre todas las nuevas tendencias que est??n surgiendo en el Fitness. Posteriormente se realizar??n los an??lisis y se aportar??n las referencias para constatar que realmente este m??todo de trabajar es el m??s indicado para el proyecto.

Fitness 19. Plan de marketing

El siguiente trabajo consiste en el desarrollo de un plan de marketing para la apertura de un centro franquiciado de la empresa Fitness19 en la localidad de Algorta, Getxo. Se trata de una franquicia española que basa su actividad en la instalación de centros deportivos de Fitness “Low Cost”, es decir, de bajo coste para el usuario. Con esto lo que pretenden es diferenciarse del resto de empresas de su sector ofreciendo unos servicios especializados a bajo coste. La filosofía que siguen es la de ofrecer solo fitness, que es lo que realmente busca el cliente, al mejor precio. De esta manera, presentaremos el proyecto, analizaremos el entorno de la empresa (tanto genérico como específico) y su situación interna con el objetivo de definir las amenazas, oportunidades, debilidades y fortalezas que presenta. Para ello examinaremos el ámbito geográfico en el que se planea su implantación y su mercado y detallaremos los servicios que pone a nuestra disposición la franquicia. Una vez realizado este análisis y diagnóstico se procederá a la elaboración de las estrategias de marketing y se detallará un plan de acción y control para su consiguiente aplicación. El objetivo del análisis y la planificación es llevar a cabo la tarea de crear y poner en funcionamiento de forma exitosa el centro franquiciado siguiendo un plan estructurado y preciso. Este plan está diseñado para abarcar todas las estrategias y acciones necesarias desde el momento de creación de la empresa, que será en Mayo de 2015, pasando por la ubicación, obra del local y su apertura hasta la época navideña de ese mismo año. De esta manera se definen en el trabajo dos etapas muy diferentes: etapa preapertura y etapa de actividad.

Análisis del comportamiento de la ventana anabólica en personas practicantes de fitness físicamente activas (Revisión bibliográfica)

La literatura científica relacionada con el timing nutricional es muy popular y por ello un área de investigación continuamente cambiante. Uno de los temas de mayor interés en cuanto al tiempo de los nutrientes es el concepto de ventana anabólica, una estrategia diseñada para maximizar las adaptaciones inducidas por el entrenamiento.

Effects of Small-Sided Games vs. Interval Training in Aerobic Fitness and Physical Enjoyment in Young Elite Soccer Players

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of Small-Sided Games (SSG) vs. Interval Training (IT) in soccer training on aerobic fitness and physical enjoyment in youth elite soccer players during the last 8 weeks of the season. Seventeen U-16 male soccer players (age = 15.5 +/- 0.6 years, and 8.5 years of experience) of a Spanish First Division club academy were randomized to 2 different groups for 6 weeks: SSG group (n = 9) and IT group (n = 8). In addition to the usual technical and tactical sessions and competitive games, the SSG group performed 11 sessions with different SSGs, whereas the IT group performed the same number of sessions of IT. Players were tested before and after the 6-week training intervention with a continuous maximal multistage running field test and the counter movement jump test (CMJ). At the end of the study, players answered the physical activity enjoyment scale (PACES). During the study, heart rate (HR) and session perceived effort (sRPE) were assessed. SSGs were as effective as IT in maintaining the aerobic fitness in elite young soccer players during the last weeks of the season. Players in the SSG group declared a greater physical enjoyment than IT (P = 0.006; ES = 1.86 +/- 1.07). Coaches could use SSG training during the last weeks of the season as an option without fear of losing aerobic fitness while promoting high physical enjoyment.

Fluorescence cross-correlation spectroscopy to study hemodynamics

[EN] In the recent years a series of optical correlation techniques have been developed in order to be able to measure flow velocity with high spatial resolution while being non-invasive in order to be employed in-vivo on biological organisms. The technique employed in my thesis work, scanning laser image correlation (SLIC), is a powerful approach for the detection of flow motions because it overcomes some limitations of the classical spectroscopy techniques. SLIC method consists in repeated laser scans over a linear pattern and on the cross correlation of the signal emitted by the excited fluorophores in different positions along the scan line. Therefore, the resulting measurements for flow velocity are really accurate.