Analysis of the Response Speed of Musculature of the Knee in Professional Male and Female Volleyball Players

The aim of this study was to evaluate the normalized response speed (Vrn) of the knee musculature (flexor and extensor) in high competitive level volleyball players using tensiomyography (TMG) and to analyze the muscular response of the vastus medialis (VM), rectus femoris (RF), vastus lateralis (VL), and biceps femoris (BF) in accordance with the specific position they play in their teams. One hundred and sixty-six players (83 women and 83 men) were evaluated. They belonged to eight teams in the Spanish women's superleague and eight in the Spanish men's superleague. The use of Vrn allows avoiding possible sample imbalances due to anatomical and functional differences and demands. We found differences between Vrn in each of the muscles responsible for extension (VM, RF, and VL) and flexion (BF) regardless of the sex. Normalized response speed differences seem to be larger in setters, liberos and outside players compared to middle blockers and larger in males when compared to females. These results of Vrn might respond to the differences in the physical and technical demands of each specific position, showing an improved balance response of the knee extensor and flexor musculature in male professional volleyball players.

Effect of towing speed on retention of zooplankton in bongo nets

Long-term time series of zooplankton data provide invaluable information about the fluctuations of species abundance and the stability of marine community structure. These data have demonstrated that environmental variability have a profound effect on zooplankton communities across the Atlantic basin (Beaugrand et al., 2002; Frank et al., 2005; Pershing et al., 2005). The value of these time series increases as they lengthen, but so does the likelihood of changes in sampling or processing methods. Sam-pling zooplankton with nylon nets is highly selective and biased because of mesh selectivity, net avoidance, and damage to fragile organisms. One sampling parameter that must be standardized and closely monitored is the speed of the net through the water column. Tow speed should be as fast as possible to minimize net avoid-ance by the organisms, but not so fast as to damage soft bodied zooplankters or extrude them through the mesh (Tranter et al., 1968; Anderson and Warren, 1991).

Acesso à justiça, retroalimentação e flexibilização procedimental nos juizados especiais estaduais

Este trabalho tem como objetivo principal explorar e apresentar, do ponto de vista doutrinário, legal e estatístico, três pontos centrais que carecem da atenção dos operadores do direito. O primeiro, relativo ao acesso à justiça e suas peculiaridades em apertada síntese, especialmente com olhos voltados para a retroalimentação processual, típica das sociedades de massa. Neste tópico, avaliamos dados estatísticos colhidos e fornecidos pela Comissão Especial de Juizados Especiais do Tribunal de Justiça do Estado do Rio de Janeiro. O segundo, relativo à efetividade e instrumentalidade do processo como garantias fundamentais do processo voltadas à preservação da prestação jurisdicional comprometida com a duração razoável do processo e na preservação do Estado Democrático de Direito. Por fim, o terceiro busca a análise da questão relativa aos aspectos doutrinários da flexibilização procedimental como mecanismo para a preservação da celeridade. Analisando o enfoque do Direito Inglês e Português, bem como aspectos ligados ao gerenciamento do processo e adequação, proponho a flexibilização em sede dos Juizados Especiais Cíveis como medida de concreta preservação da informalidade.