197,981 research outputs found
Repeated evolution of underwater rebreathing in diving Anolis lizards
No full textThis repository contains all data used to generate all non-image figures (Figures 2-4, Supplementary figures) in Boccia et al 2021, "Repeated evolution of underwater rebreathing in diving Anolis lizards". Data are divided into behavioural and oxygen trace folders. Please see https://github.com/chrisboccia/anole-rebreathing-curbio for code and the data processing pipeline used.
Authors: Christopher K. Boccia, Lindsey Swierk, Fernando P. Ayala-Varela, James Boccia, Isabela L. Borges, Camilo Andres Estupiñán, Alexandra M. Martin, Ramón E. Martínez-Grimaldo, Sebastian Ovalle, Shreeram Senthivasan, Ken S. Toyama, María del Rosario Castañeda, Andrés García, Richard E. Glor, D. Luke Mahler
Abstract: Air-based respiration limits the use of aquatic environments by ancestrally terrestrial animals. To overcome this challenge, diving arthropods have evolved to respire without resurfacing using air held between their cuticle and surrounding water. Inspired by natural history observations in Haiti (DLM & REG pers. obs.) and Costa Rica, we conducted experiments documenting routine air-based underwater respiration in several distantly-related semi-aquatic Anolis lizard species. Semi-aquatic anoles live along neotropical streams and frequently dive for refuge or food, remaining underwater for up to 18 minutes. While submerged, these lizards iteratively expire and re-inspire narial air bubbles – underwater “rebreathing.” Rebreathed air is used in respiration, as the partial pressure of oxygen in the bubbles decreases with experimental submersion time in living anoles but not in mechanical controls. Non-aquatic anoles occasionally rebreathe when submerged but exhibit more rudimentary rebreathing behaviors. Anole rebreathing is facilitated by a thin air layer (i.e., a “plastron”, sensu Brocher) supported by the animal’s rugose skin upon submergence. We suggest that hydrophobic skin, which we observed in all sampled anoles, may have been exaptative, facilitating the repeated evolution of specialized rebreathing in species that regularly dive. Phylogenetic analyses strongly suggest that specialized rebreathing is adaptive for semi-aquatic habitat specialists. Air-based rebreathing may enhance dive performance by incorporating dead space air from the buccal cavity or plastron into the lungs, facilitating clearance of carbon dioxide, or allowing uptake of oxygen from surrounding water (i.e., a “physical gill” mechanism)
ngenol mebutate treatment in keloids. De Felice B, Guida M, Boccia L, Nacca M. BMC Res Notes. 2015 Sep 22;8:466. doi: 10.1186/s13104-015-1429-9.
No full textIngenol-mebutate has been used for the treatment of actinic keratosis. It has been shown that ingenol-mebutate inhibits the growth of cancer cells or induces tumor cell death through pro-apoptotic effects. Keloids are benign skin tumours and are the effect of a deregulated wound-healing process in genetically predisposed patients. Increased cell proliferation, which accounts for the progressive and hypertrophic nature of keloids, correlates with the failure of apoptosis and plays a role in the process of pathological scarring. Keloid cells show a mutated p53 gene resulting in functionally inactive p53 protein which cannot control genomic integrity. They tend to escape from apoptosis which leads to keloid development by means of accumulation of continuously proliferating cells. Currently, the treatment of keloids remains a challenge for high recurrence rates. However, the design and the development of pro-apoptotic therapeutic strategies would be beneficial to keloids treatment.
CASE PRESENTATION:
A 55-year-old caucasian woman presented recurrent keloids on a presternal scar. Standard surgical intervention was used to treat the scar. However, this was unsuccessful and a year later the patient sought treatment again, but only by alternative means as the patient refused further surgical intervention. Consequently, based on past research and experience, the authors attempted to treat these lesions with ingenol mebutate gel, due to the pro-apoptotic effects.
CONCLUSION:
After 1 month, there was a clinical resolution of lesions, with a slightly squamous, post-inflammatory erythema. A cutaneous biopsy proved the absence of residual keloids and deregulated expression of molecular markers. The last follow-up of the patient, 1 year after treatment, showed that the patient was still free of keloids recurrence
Generazioni mediali, cultura pop e pratiche riflessive. Prospettive delle generazioni X e Y in Italia
No full textIl saggio analizza le forme di riflessività generazionale a partire dal consumo di cultura pop nelle generazioni X e Y. In particolare, a partire dai dati della ricerca PRIN 2006, vengono messe in luce le forme di auto-rappresentazione generazionale, quelle di etero-rappresentazione generazionale e di etero-costruzione generate dal marketing e dalla ricerca sociale
Observation System for Analyzing Individual Boccia BC3
No full textBoccia is a Paralympic sport for athletes with locomotor dysfunction. The aim of this observational methodology study was to describe the design of an ad hoc observation instrument for analyzing individual boccia in the BC3 category (for athletes with severe functional impairment) and to show how it can be used in a practical setting to analyze technical and tactical aspects of the game. The observation instrument was designed based on the internal logic and rules of boccia and was then loaded into the Lince software program to create a simple coding tool. The content of the instrument was validated by a panel of experts with extensive experience in Paralympic boccia. The reliability of the resulting data was confirmed by analysis of interobserver agreement, with high kappa values obtained for all criteria. The practical application of the observation system was demonstrated by performing T-pattern analysis of two sample datasets, which revealed underlying behavioral patterns for isolated throws (synchronic) and successive throws (diachronic)
Glynn Tromans: In search of ‘Fearless’ Boccia and the ‘Big Hairy Audacious Goal’
No full textThis chapter outlines the work of Glynn Tromans and his coaching philosophy and pedagogy in relation to his roles as Talent Development Manager and, in particular, Performance Coach for the BC3 squad at GB Boccia. It begins by giving a brief introduction to the sport of boccia and the historical and current status of the Great Britain BC3 squad, before outlining relevant aspects of Glynn’s historical background that have a bearing upon his current role. The bulk of the chapter focuses upon Glynn’s coaching philosophy and pedagogy and how these shape his work with the BC3 squad. This includes a vision and mission for the squad known amongst themselves as the ‘Big Hairy Audacious Goal’ and underpinned by a drive to play ‘Fearless’ boccia. The chapter then goes on to highlight some of the key current issues that arise for coaches working in boccia, from Glynn’s perspective from the international down to the individual national coach level. This includes an outline of how these issues might impact upon the future development of the sport of boccia. The chapter concludes with some recommendations from Glynn for coaching, education or practice within the sport of boccia moving forward
Gender Participation and Performance in Boccia International-Level Events
No full textBackground/Objectives: Boccia is an attractive and growing adapted sport. For approximately 30 years, this parasport was played together by male and female athletes, a fact that recently changed, to our best knowledge, without scientific support. Hence, this study aimed to analyse the relationship between gender participation and performance in Boccia international-level events. Methods: For data collection, four specific international-level Boccia events between 2012 and 2018 were selected as partials were available in the official competition websites (2708 partials, which represent a total of 32,496 ball throws). Results: We found that partials won by male athletes systematically increased between 2012 and 2018 but tended to stabilize between 2017 and 2018, contrary to females, with a growing trend from 2016 onwards. No differences were observed, considering the players’ gender and the type of partials (adjusted, balanced, and unbalanced) in the Boccia classes BC1, BC2, and BC3. In BC4 differences were found, but with little variance or low association level (Cramer’s Phi coefficient of 0.114). Conclusions: The results emphasize that based on performance, both men and woman can play Boccia together. Although, if the focus of separating genders in Boccia is toward growing and effective female participation and equal success and reward opportunities, this study highlights as a good perspective aiming regular practice of physical activity, exercise, and sport in people with disabilities, promoting their quality of life
Sistema de observação para analizar a interacção no jogo de Boccia por equipos
No full textThe observation instrument was purpose-built and combines a field format with systems of categories. The observation instrument allows to analyze the social interaction -prosocial and antisocial behaviors- that takes place in team boccia competition. The content validity of the observation instrument has been guaranteed by the coaching staff of the Boccia Spanish Team. The data were coded with the Lince software programme. Cohen's Kappa coefficient obtained by comparing the data sets generated by three observers indicates a high reliability of the data. We also performed a generalizability study, [Player][Category]/[End], demonstrating the consistency of the data based on the Ends observed. The application of the optimization module for [End][Category]/[Player] facets showed us how many players would constitute an optimal sample in future studies. The practical application of the observation system was demonstrated by performing T-pattern analysis using Theme software programme. The results obtained show that boccia is a very favorable educational environment for the disability group.Se ha diseñado un instrumento de observación ad hoc, combinación de formato de campo y sistemas de categorías, que permite analizar la interacción social -conductas prosociales y antisociales- que tiene lugar en la competición por equipos en el juego de boccia. El registro y codificación de los datos se ha desarrollado mediante el software Lince. La validez de contenido del instrumento de observación ha quedado avalada por el equipo técnico de la Selección Española de boccia. Los resultados relativos a la concordancia entre los registros generados por tres observadores diferentes, calculada mediante el coeficiente Kappa de Cohen, indican una elevada fiabilidad de los datos obtenidos mediante el sistema de observación. En el seno de la teoría de la Generalizabilidad, mediante el software SAGT, se ha desarrollado el plan de medida [Jugador] [Categoría] / [Parcial], que ha permitido asegurar que, con el número de parciales analizados, se consigue una elevada fiabilidad de precisión de generalización. Además, se ha procedido a la optimización del plan de medida [Parciales] [Categorías] / [Jugador]. La operatividad del sistema de observación desarrollado ha quedado patente en los T-patterns detectados mediante el software Theme, versión 6. Edu. De los resultados obtenidos se desprende que el juego de boccia constituye un entorno favorable de elevado valor formativo para el colectivo de la discapacidad.O instrumento de observação foi construído ad hoc e combina um formato de campo com sistemas de categorias. O instrumento de observação permite analisar a interação social - comportamentos anti-sociais e anti-sociais - que ocorre na competição de bocha em equipe. A validade de conteúdo do instrumento de observação foi garantida pela equipe técnica da Equipe Espanhola de Boccia. Os dados foram codificados com o programa de software Lince. Coeficiente Kappa de Cohen obtido pela comparação dos conjuntos de dados gerados por três observadores indica alta confiabilidade dos dados. Também realizamos um estudo de generalização [Jogador] [Categoria] / [Parcial], demonstrando a consistência dos dados com base nas extremidades observadas. A aplicação do módulo de otimização para as facetas [Parciales] [Categorias] / [Jogador] nos mostrou quantos jogadores seriam uma ótima amostra em estudos futuros. A aplicação prática do sistema de observação foi demonstrada através da análise do padrão T usando o programa de software Theme. Os resultados obtidos são desprezíveis que o jogo de bocha é constituído por um formulário de valor favorável para o colectivo da discapacidade
Gender Differences in Boccia Underhand Throw Biomechanics
No full textThe study purpose was determined gender differences in the boccia underhand throw biomechanics. The research method was used a cross sectional study. The 6 boccia athletes were sampled consisting of 3 male and 3 female. The research instrument was used a throw accuracy test. Movement analysis was recorded using a camera placed on the side of the throwing arm and associated with the throw direction. The movement analysis was divided into two stages, namely the arm swing stage and the throw results, and then analyzed using Kinovea software. For gender differences in the biomechanics of boccia underhand throw, an independent t-test was carried out. At the arm swing stage, female players were greater in backswing angles (175� for female, 155.67� for male, p = 0.122), front-swing angles (148� for female, 140� for male, p = 0.570), and power (19.88 J/s for female, 16.93 J/s for male, p = 0.248), while male players were greater in the angle of throwing arm inclination (27� for male, 22.67� for female, p = 0.563), angle of non-throwing arm inclination (17� for male, 14.67� for female, p = 0.834), and angle of shoulder inclination when releasing the ball (18.33� for male players, 18� for female players, p = 0.969). The average performance of boccia underhand throws is better for female than male as seen from the throws results. The ball distance from the target is longer for male players (0.10 meters for male players vs. 0.04 meters for female players, p = 0.260). This study contributes new data to characterize the performance of female and male players of boccia cerebral palsy. The study concluded that in order to achieve the accuracy of throwing results on the underhand throw technique, female players needed a large swing angle and power while male players needed the right body tilt
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