Comparison of starts and turns of national and regional level swimmers by individualized-distance measurements

The aim of this study was to compare the race characteristics of the start and turn segments of national and regional level swimmers. In the study, 100 and 200-m events were analysed during the finals session of the Open Comunidad de Madrid (Spain) tournament. The “individualized-distance” method with two-dimensional direct linear transformation algorithm was used to perform race analyses. National level swimmers obtained faster velocities in all race segments and stroke comparisons,although significant inter-level differences in start velocity were only obtained in half (8 out of 16) of the analysed events. Higher level swimmers also travelled for longer start and turn distances but only in the race segments where the gain of speed was high. This was observed in the turn segments, in the backstroke and butterfly strokes and during the 200-m breaststroke event, but not in any of the freestyle events. Time improvements due to the appropriate extension of the underwater subsections appeared to be critical for the end race result and should be carefully evaluated by the “individualized-distance” method.

Effects of different swimming race constraints on turning movements

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different swimming race constraints on the evolution of turn parameters. One hundred and fifty-eight national and regional level 200-m (meters) male swimming performances were video-analyzed using the individualized-distance model in the Open Comunidad de Madrid tournament. Turn (p < .001, ES = 0.36) and underwater distances (p < .001, ES = 0.38) as well as turn velocity (p < .001, ES = 0.69) significantly dropped throughout the race, although stroke velocity and underwater velocity were maintained in the last lap of the race (p > .05). Higher expertise swimmers obtained faster average velocities and longer distances in all the turn phases (p < .001, ES = 0.59), except the approach distance. In addition, national level swimmers showed the ability to maintain most of the turn parameters throughout the race, which assisted them in improving average velocity at the end of races. Therefore, the variations in the turning movements of a swimming race were expertise-related and focused on optimizing average velocity. Turning skills should be included in the swimming race action plan.

Efficiency and environmental indexes to evaluate the sustainability of mineral and organic fertilization in an irrigated melon crop

Melon is traditionally cultivated in fertigated farmlands in the center of Spain with high inputs of water and N fertilizer. Excess N can have a negative impact, from the economic point of view, since it can diminish the production and quality of the fruit, from the environmental point of view, since it is a very mobile element in the soil and can contaminate groundwater. From health point of view, nitrate can be accumulated in fruit pulp, and, in addition, groundwater is the fundamental supply source of human populations. Best management practices are particularly necessary in this region as many zones have been declared vulnerable to NO3- pollution (Directive 91/676/CEE) During successive years, a melon crop (Cucumis melo L.) was grown under field conditions applying mineral and organic fertilizers under drip irrigation. Different doses of ammonium nitrate were used as well as compost derived from the wine-distillery industry which is relevant in this area. The present study reviews the most common N efficiency indexes under the different management options with a view to maximizing yield and minimizing N loss.

Yield, nutrient utilization and soil properties in a melon crop amended with wine-distillery waste

In Spain, large quantities of wine are produced every year (3,339,700 tonnes in 2011) (FAO, 2011) with the consequent waste generation. During the winemaking process, solid residues like grape stalks are generated, as well as grape marc and wine lees as by-products. According to the Council Regulation (EC) 1493/1999 on the common organization of the wine market, by-products coming from the winery industry must be sent to alcohol-distilleries to generate exhausted grape marc and vinasses. With an adequate composting treatment, these wastes can be applied to soils as a source of nutrients and organic matter. A three-year field experiment (2011, 2012 and 2013) was carried out in Ciudad Real (central Spain) to study the effects of wine-distillery waste compost application in a melon crop (Cucumis melo L.). Melon crop has been traditionally cultivated in this area with high inputs of water and fertilizers, but no antecedents of application of winery wastes are known. In a randomized complete block design, four treatments were compared: three compost doses consisted of 6.7 (D1), 13.3 (D2) and 20 t compost ha-1 (D3), and a control treatment without compost addition (D0). The soil was a shallow sandy-loam (Petrocalcic Palexeralfs) with a depth of 0.60 m and a discontinuous petrocalcic horizon between 0.60 and 0.70 m, slightly basic (pH 8.4), poor in organic matter (0.24%), rich in potassium (410 ppm) and with a medium level of phosphorus (22.1 ppm). During each growing period four harvests were carried out and total and marketable yield (fruits weighting <1 kg or visually rotten were not considered), fruit average weight and fruit number per plant were determined. At the end of the crop cycle, four plants per treatment were sampled and the nutrient content (N, P and K) was determined. Soil samplings (0-30 cm depth) were carried before the application of compost and at the end of each growing season and available N and P, as well as exchangeable K content were analyzed. With this information, an integrated analysis was carried out with the aim to evaluate the suitability of this compost as organic amendment.

A toolset for the development of mixed-criticality partitioned systems

The development of mixed-criticality virtualized multi-core systems poses new challenges that are being subject of active research work. There is an additional complexity: it is now required to identify a set of partitions, and allocate applications to partitions. In this job, a number of issues have to be considered, such as the criticality level of the application, security and dependability requirements, time requirements granularity, etc. MultiPARTES [11] toolset relies on Model Driven Engineering (MDE), which is a suitable approach in this setting, as it helps to bridge the gap between design issues and partitioning concerns. MDE is changing the way systems are developed nowadays, reducing development time. In general, modelling approaches have shown their benefits when applied to embedded systems. These benefits have been achieved by fostering reuse with an intensive use of abstractions, or automating the generation of boiler-plate code.

Diseño de una red de división / combinación de potencia de N-puertos sobre una octava en banda X mediante divisores Wilkinson multietapa y asimétricos implementados en tecnología Microstrip

Se muestra el proceso de diseño y medida de una red de división/combinación de potencia de gran ancho de banda (5 a 10 GHz) basado en divisores de potencia Wilkinson asimétricos y multi-sección. Se comparan las ventajas e inconvenientes de las distintas formas de conectar los divisores de potencia, proponiendo un diseño general que depende de la tecnología de fabricación que se disponga. Se detalla el proceso de diseño de los divisores de potencia del circuito, así como las estrategias a seguir para plasmar los parámetros del circuito en un modelo de simulación,mostrando los problemas que surgen y las soluciones que se tomaron. Finalmente se muestran las medidas el circuito fabricado, comparando su respuesta con la de la simulación.

Water and nitrogen footprint in an irrigated crop under mineral and organic fertilization

In order to establish rational nitrogen (N) application and reduce groundwater contamination, a clearer understanding of the N distribution through the growing season and its balance is crucial. Excessive doses of N and/or water applied to fertigated crops involve a substantial risk of aquifer contamination by nitrate; but knowledge of N cycling and availability within the soil could assist in avoiding this excess. In central Spain, the main horticultural fertigated crop is the melon type ?piel de sapo¿ and it is cultivated in vulnerable zones to nitrate pollution (Directive 91/676/CEE). However, until few years ago there were not antecedents related to the optimization of nitrogen fertilization together with irrigation. Water and N footprint are indicators that allow assessing the impact generated by different agricultural practices, so they can be used to improve the management strategies in fertigated crop systems. The water footprint distinguishes between blue water (sources of water applied to the crop, like irrigation and precipitation), green water (water used by the crop and stored in the soil), and it is furthermore possible to quantify the impact of pollution by calculating the grey water, which is defined as the volume of polluted water created from the growing and production of crops. On the other hand, the N footprint considers green N (nitrogen consumed by the crops and stored in the soil), blue N (N available for crop, like N applied with mineral and/or organic fertilizers, N applied with irrigation water and N mineralized during the crop period), whereas grey N is the amount of N-NO3- washed from the soil to the aquifer. All these components are expressed as the ratio between the components of water or N footprint and the yield (m3 t-1 or kg N t-1 respectively). The objetives of this work were to evaluate the impact derivated from the use of different fertilizer practices in a melon crop using water and N footprint.

Variables determinantes del drag-flick en jugadoras de hockey hierba

El penalti córner es una de las situaciones de juego más importantes en el hockey hierba. Las mujeres utilizan menos el drag-flick que los hombres. Los objetivos de este estudio fueron describir los parámetros cinemáticos del drag-flick en jugadoras especialistas y hallar las variables determinantes en el rendimiento en este gesto técnico en jugadoras de hockey. Se analizaron quince lanzamientos de cinco lanzadoras con 6 cámaras del sistema de captura automática VICON registrando a 250 Hz. Para la comparación de medias se utilizó un análisis no paramétrico Kruskall Wallis de un factor (sujeto). Aquellos parámetros en los que se hallaron diferencias significativas, se compararon por pares por medio de una U de Mann Whitney. Las jugadoras 1 (22,5 ? 0,9 m/s) y 3 (22,6 ? 0,7 m/s) registraron velocidades de salida de la bola superiores (p < 0,001) a todas las demás jugadoras (19,1 ? 0,7 m/s jugadora 2; 20,5 ? 0,4 m/s jugadora 4 y 19,9 ? 0,4 m/s jugadora 5). La jugadora 1 basa su aceleración final en un doble apoyo largo, con una secuencia de velocidades y una distancia recorrida lo más amplia posible. Sin embargo, jugadora 3 basa su velocidad en la carrera previa, y en una secuencia de movimientos explosiva. Las características individuales de cada jugadora juegan un papel importante en la elección de una estrategia técnica u otra de lanzamiento.

The gait patterns of an elite athlete with low vision: a case study

Presentación Póster en ESMAC 2012

Influence of body weight support on wearable devices reproducing normal gait

Oral presentation en ESMAC 2015

Caracterización de poblaciones de vid silvestre de la Península Ibérica

La vid silvestre se considera como el ancestro autóctono de las vides cultivadas y una enorme reserva genética en peligro de extinción. La prospección llevada a cabo entre 2003 y 2004 permitió catalogar 51 localizaciones de vides silvestres españolas, la mayoría de ellas ubicadas en riberas de ríos. Estos ejemplares se incluyeron en el Banco de Germoplasma de la Finca "El Encín" (BGVCAM - Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, España). En primer lugar, se caracterizó la cantidad y la distribución de su diversidad genética utilizando 25 loci empleando microsatélites nucleares (SSR). Hemos analizado también la posible coexistencia en el hábitat natural de vides silvestres con vides cultivadas naturalizadas y portainjertos. De este modo, los análisis fenotípicos y genéticos identificaron el 19% de las muestras recogidas como derivadas de genotipos cultivados, siendo, o bien vides cultivadas naturalizadas o genotipos híbridos derivados de cruces espontáneos entre vides silvestres y cultivadas. La diversidad genética de las poblaciones de vides silvestres fue similar a la observada en el grupo de las cultivadas. El análisis molecular mostró que el germoplasma de cultivadas y silvestres es genéticamente divergente con bajo nivel de introgresión. Se ha identificado cuatro grupos genéticos, con dos de ellos fundamentalmente representados por los genotipos de vides cultivadas y dos por las accesiones silvestres. El análisis de los vínculos genéticos entre las vides silvestres y cultivadas podría sugerir una contribución genética de las accesiones silvestres españolas a las actuales variedades occidentales. En segundo lugar, se realizó un profundo estudio morfológico "ex situ " y se contrastaron con los resultados de la caracterización realizada en 182 variedades comerciales españolas de la misma colección. Todos los individuos silvestres mostraron diferencias morfológicas con Vitis vinifera L subsp. vinifera, pero no se encontraron diferencias significativas dentro Vitis vinifera L. subsp. sylvestris, ni por localización geográfica ni por sexo. Los resultados de este estudio describen las principales características morfológicas de las vides silvestres españolas y sus rasgos diferenciales con su pariente cultivada. Por último, se analizó la composición antociánica presente en 21 accesiones de vides silvestres de la Península Ibérica conservadas en el BGVCAM de la Finca "El Encín" y seleccionadas basándose en diferencias ampelográficas y caracterización molecular. La concentración de antocianinas es similar la encontrad en vides cultivadas con destino a la vinificación. Las accesiones estudiadas mostraron una variabilidad considerable en su perfil antociánico y fue posible distinguir varios grupos. Sin embargo, la presencia de material silvestre con perfiles antociánicos poco comunes o inexistentes en variedades españolas, sugiere que la variabilidad genética relacionada con antocianinas en poblaciones españolas de vides silvestres podría ser más alta que la de variedades cultivadas comúnmente consideradas de origen español. ABSTRACT The wild grapevine is considered an autochthonous relative of cultivated vines and a huge gene pool endangered in Europe. Prospecting carried out between 2003 and 2004 enabled to inventory 51 Spanish sites with wild grapevines, most of them located near rivers. These individuals were grafted in the collection of "El Encín" (BGVCAM - Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain). Firstly, werw characterized the amount and distribution of their genetic diversity using 25 nuclear SSR loci. We have also analysed the possible coexistence in the natural habitat of wild grapevines with naturalized grapevine cultivars and rootstocks. In this way, phenotypic and genetic analyses identified 19% of the collected samples as derived from cultivated genotypes, being either naturalized cultivars or hybrid genotypes derived from spontaneous crosses between wild and cultivated grapevines. The genetic diversity of wild grapevine populations was similar than that observed in the cultivated group. The molecular analysis showed that cultivated germplasm and wild germplasm are genetically divergent with low level of introgression. We identified four genetic groups, with two of them fundamentally represented among cultivated genotypes and two among wild accessions. The analyses of genetic relationships between wild and cultivated grapevines could suggest a genetic contribution of wild accessions from Spain to current Western cultivars. Secondly, a morphological study was done "ex situ" and were compared with data from 182 Spanish commercial cultivars grown in the same collection. All wild individuals showed morphological differences with Vitis vinifera L. ssp. vinifera but no significant differences were found within Vitis vinifera L subsp. sylvestris neither by geographic origin nor by sex. A pattern with the main characteristics of Spanish wild grapevines is suggested. Ultimately, were investigated the anthocyanin composition of 21 mostly Spanish wild grapevine accessions preserved at BGVCAM "El Encín" and selected in consideration of observed ampelographic differences and molecular characterization. Total anthocyanin concentration was similar to that found in winegrape cultivars. The accessions studied showed considerable variability in their anthocyanin fingerprints and it was possible to distinguish several groups, similar to previous reports on the anthocyanin fingerprint of winegrapes. The anthocyanin composition of wild grapevine accessions was similar to that of cultivated grapes. Nevertheless, the presence of wild accessions with anthocyanin fingerprints uncommon or nonexistent in Spanish cultivated varieties suggests that the genetic variability related to anthocyanins in Spanish wild grapevine populations may be higher than that of cultivated varieties commonly considered of Spanish origin.

Utilización de plataformas dinamométricas para la valoración de la fuerza explosiva en futbolistas juveniles de alto nivel: comparación por edad y posiciones en el campo y su aplicación al entrenamiento

Con el objetivo de valorar la potencia desarrollada por la musculatura del tren inferior, se realizó un estudio con los tres equipos juveniles de alto nivel de la cantera de un equipo de la primera división española para informar a los cuerpos técnicos y orientar en cuanto al entrenamiento de esta capacidad. Se realizaron los test: Squat Jump (SJ) y CounterMovement Jump (CMJ) así como saltos reactivos, con un total de 59 futbolistas. El material utilizado fueron dos plataformas de fuerzas piezoeléctricas con una frecuencia de muestreo de 400 Hz (BTS). Los resultados mostraron que son los porteros los que mayor fuerza, potencia e impulso desarrollaron, que los centrales fueron los que mayor altura del salto consiguieron, además de una diferencia significativa entre los niveles de fuerza por edades. Se compararon los resultados con otros estudios de equipos de todo el mundo y estos resultados fueron positivos en cuanto a la preparación física de estos atletas. Finalmente se detalló un informe individual y por equipos sobre cada futbolista y se planificó un trabajo de 6 semanas para aumentar la fuerza explosiva del miembro inferior.

Utilización de la herramienta Speed Court para la valoración del rendimiento en porteros de fútbol

Con el objetivo de valorar la efectividad de la técnica de desplazamiento en porteros de fútbol y la velocidad de movimiento, se realizó un estudio con 9 porteros de fútbol juveniles de alto nivel de la cantera de un equipo de la primera división española. Se ha pretendido apoyar el trabajo del cuerpo técnico. Se realizaron tres tests, un primer Test y un Re-test para validar los datos y un Post-Test para ver la evolución de los jugadores a las seis semanas. Durante esas seis semanas, un sujeto entrenó en la herramienta de valoración. El material utilizado fue la herramienta Speed-Court. Los resultados mostraron que la técnica de desplazamiento libre siempre es más eficiente en dichos tests y que los jugadores mejoraron en uno de los test tras seis semanas de entrenamiento. El jugador que entrenó durante las seis semanas mejoró todos los resultados salvo en la técnica de portero desde atrás.

O ESTUDANTE DA EAD (EDUCAÇÃO A DISTÂNCIA): UM ESTUDO DE PERFIL E INTERAÇÃO GERACIONAL

A aprendizagem formal e tradicional tem dado lugar a um cenário desafiador no qual educador e educando não comungam do mesmo espaço físico. A Educação a Distância (EAD), ainda é vista como uma solução que agrega cada vez mais alunos de diferentes idades que desejam uma graduação de ensino superior ou a continuidade dela. A pesquisa com o título: “O estudante da EAD (educação a distância): um estudo de perfil e interação geracional” propõe conhecer as características do perfil atual do estudante da EAD, abordando o diálogo entre as gerações no ambiente social escolar. O enfoque da pesquisa é qualitativa, exploratória e descritiva com dados que foram coletados através de entrevista com 08 alunos das gerações X e Y para assim entender se este perfil tem sido renovado com alunos mais jovens, do que a faixa etária de 25 a 45 anos. O resultado demonstra que alunos na faixa de 17 a 24 anos a cada ano aumentam 1% das matrículas. Já a faixa de 25 a 45 anos prevalece com 70% das matrículas. Portanto, este resultado revela que o perfil do aluno EAD ainda é o do jovem adulto, para adulto mais experiente, que busca a graduação com o propósito de progressão no ambiente profissional. As duas gerações citadas geração X e geração Y, mesmo em contextos históricos diferenciados de valores, crenças e comportamentos participam atualmente de uma transformação social que contempla os meios de produção do trabalho, a formação educacional e as relações sociais. O diálogo intergeracional direciona a um aprendizado compartilhado, participativo na troca de experiências mutuas. Para a geração X o jovem atual não é mais nomeado como o que precisa escutar e aprender, mas tem muito a partilhar, principalmente diante da facilidade com os meios tecnológicos. E para a geração Y, na partilha não há barreiras de idade, mas a segurança de interagir e se comunicar diante da troca de experiências

The Chemically Inducible Plant Cytochrome P450 CYP76B1 Actively Metabolizes Phenylureas and Other Xenobiotics1

Cytochrome P450s (P450s) constitute one of the major classes of enzymes that are responsible for detoxification of exogenous molecules both in animals and plants. On the basis of its inducibility by exogenous chemicals, we recently isolated a new plant P450, CYP76B1, from Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) and showed that it was capable of dealkylating a model xenobiotic compound, 7-ethoxycoumarin. In the present paper we show that CYP76B1 is more strongly induced by foreign compounds than other P450s isolated from the same plant, and metabolizes with high efficiency a wide range of xenobiotics, including alkoxycoumarins, alkoxyresorufins, and several herbicides of the class of phenylureas. CYP76B1 catalyzes the double N-dealkylation of phenylureas with turnover rates comparable to those reported for physiological substrates and produces nonphytotoxic compounds. Potential uses for CYP76B1 thus include control of herbicide tolerance and selectivity, as well as soil and groundwater bioremediation.