bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Forecasting college football game outcomes using modern modeling techniques
Authors: South Charles , Egros Edward
Published: January 2020

There are many reasons why data scientists and fans of college football would want to forecast the outcome of games – gambling, game preparation and academic research, for example. As advanced statistical methods become more readily accessible, so do the opportunities to develop robust forecasting models. Using data from the 2011 to 2014 seasons, we implemented a variety of advanced modeling techniques to determine which best forecasts the outcome of games. These methods included ridge regression, the lasso, the elastic net, neural networks, random forests, k-nearest neighbors, stochastic gradient boosting, and a Bayesian regression model. To evaluate the efficacy of the proposed models, we tested them on data from the 2015 season. The top performers – lasso regression, a Bayesian regression with team-specific variances, stochastic gradient boosting, and random forests – predicted the correct outcome over 70% of the time, and the lasso model proved most accurate at predicting win-loss outcomes in the 2015 test data set.
The relationship between the location of neonatal clavicular fractures and predisposing factors
Authors: Asena M. , Akelma H. , Ziyadanoğulları M.O.
Published: January 2020

BACKGROUND: The aim was to investigate the maternal and fetal predisposing factors of clavicle fracture locations in newborns. METHODS: A retrospective evaluation was made of 77 clavicle fractures identified from a total of 33,480 live newborns between September 2016 and September 2018 at a single center in Turkey. Fractures were grouped according to the Allman classification: Group I mid third, Group II lateral distal third, Group III medial proximal third of the clavicle, respectively. Demographic features compared between the groups included maternal age, parity and height and infantile gestational age, gender, birth weight and length. Neonatal clinical features were also compared between the three groups and included mode of delivery, Apgar score, fracture laterality, time to diagnosis, mode of diagnosis, and presence of symptoms of brachial plexus palsy. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between the three groups when the demographic characteristics of the mothers and newborns were compared. In terms of clinical characteristics Group 3 contained a higher proportion of patients with symptoms of brachial plexus palsy than Group 1 (61.5% versus 22%, p = 0.017). There was no statistically significant difference between Groups 2 and 3 and Groups 1 and 2. CONCLUSION: A significant association was found between the occurrence of brachial plexus palsy and fracture of the medial third of the clavicle (Allman type III).
Stridor in infants with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy and whole body hypothermia: A case series
Authors: Alsaleem M. , Hpa N. , Kumar V.H.S.
Published: January 2020

BACKGROUND: Stridor is one of the rare side effects of neonatal hypothermia treatment for hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. We aimed to describe the clinical characteristics of the infants who underwent whole-body hypothermia and developed stridor. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 171 infants with moderate or severe hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy who underwent hypothermia therapy. Demographics, as well as clinical characteristics, were documented. RESULTS: A total of 18 infants developed transient stridor out of 171 infants who underwent whole-body hypothermia (10.5%). The stridor was transient and resolved in all infants. All infants with stridor received treatment with one or more of the following: racemic epinephrine, dexamethasone, positive pressure ventilation and/or heliox. Two infants required otorhinolaryngologist (ENT) evaluation due to persistent and severe symptoms, of whom one was found to have left vocal cord paresis that improved with time. CONCLUSION: Stridor is a transient complication associated with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy and whole-body hypothermia in neonates. The exact mechanism is unclear and most likely multifactorial. ENT evaluation is recommended in the presence of prolonged symptoms or significant respiratory distress.
A randomized clinical trial study on the effectiveness of a tele-analogy-based problem-solving programme for people with acquired brain injury (ABI)
Authors: Man David W.K. , Soong W.Y.L. , Tam S.F. , Hui-Chan Christina W.Y.
Published: January 2020

Primary objective:

The present study reports the results of 103 persons with acquired brain injury who were randomly assigned to one of three 20-session analogy problem-solving skill training groups, namely: online training (through computer video conferencing with interactive software); computer-assisted training (through interactive patient-directed software); therapist administered training (face-to-face therapist guided training activities); and a “no-treatment” control group.

Research design:

Pre- and post-test quasi-experimental design.

Main outcome and results:

Individuals' problem-solving skills and self-efficacy in all four groups were assessed over a four-week period. Overall, the training methods were found to be effective in improving problem solving skills regardless of the modes of delivery (except in the case of the control group). The continuous “human touch” characteristics of the therapist-administered group showed significant better improvements in self-efficacy in problem-solving.

Conclusion:

The statistically significantly improvement in problem solving skills in the online-group suggests that this approach could effectively improve cognitive functions of person with ABI and yield training outcomes comparable to other modes of delivery such as the face-to-face training. The conceptualization and applicability of tele-cognitive rehabilitation, its implications for persons with ABI, and future studies in this research area are also discussed.
Focal lesions of the corticospinal tract demonstrated by diffusion tensor imaging in patients with diffuse axonal injury
Authors: Ahn Young Hwan , Kim Seong Ho , Han Bong Soo , Kim Oh Lyong , Ahn Sang Ho , Cho Yoon Woo , Kwon Yong-Hyun , Jang Sung Ho
Published: January 2020

Objectives:

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) with fiber tractography (FT) could be useful for exploration of the state of the corticospinal tract (CST) at the subcortical white matter level. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate focal lesions of the CST in patients with diffuse axonal injury (DAI), using DTI with FT.

Design:

Two patients with DAI and six normal control subjects were recruited to this study. DTI was performed using 1.5-T with a synergy-L Sensitivity Encoding (SENSE) head coil. Fractional anisotropy (FA) and apparent diffusion coefficients (ADC) were measured using a region of interest (ROI) method. FTs were obtained with FA <0.3 and an angle change >45° as termination criteria.

Results:

On the DTI with FT, the focal lesions, which could not observed using routine brain MRI, were detected in the left brainstem of patient 1 and in the right pons and the left and right medulla of patient 2. The patients showed significantly decreased FA values in the focal lesions compared to normal controls.

Conclusions:

DTI with FT demonstrated focal lesions at the brainstem that had not been revealed by conventional brain MRI; these focal lesions explained the weaknesses of the patients. We conclude that DTI with FT may be a useful modality for use in investigating the status of CST in patients with DAI.
Virtual reality training for stroke rehabilitation
Authors: Lam Yat San , Man David W.K. , Tam Sing Fai , Weiss Patrice L.
Published: January 2020

Objective:

To evaluate the effectiveness of a 2-D virtual reality (2DVR) programme in the training of people with stroke on how to access and use the station facilities of the Mass Transit Railway (MTR).

Method:

A flat-screen 2DVR based training programme and a corresponding, typical psycho-educational programme with video modelling were developed for comparison through a research design that involved a randomised control group pre-test and post-test.

Results:

Twenty and sixteen subjects respectively received 10 training sessions using the 2DVR strategy and a video-based psycho-educational programme. An additional 22 subjects formed the control group. They were assessed by using a behavioural checklist of MTR skills and a newly validated MTR self-efficacy scale. The subjects of both training groups showed a significant improvement in their knowledge, skills and self-efficacy in using the MTR ( p < 0.01), whereas, the MTR skills and self-efficacy of the control group remained stable over a four-week interval.

Conclusion:

Though both training programmes were effective in training the patients with stroke, they demonstrated differential improvements in MTR skills and related self-efficacy. Additional studies are recommended to identify the most effective training procedures for maintaining these skills and the best transfer ratio in the training of VR-based community living skills of people with stroke.
The influence of autonomic impairment on aerobic exercise outcome in stroke patients
Authors: Katz-Leurer Michal , Shochina Mara
Published: January 2020

Purpose:

To investigate whether autonomic impairment post stroke modifies the influence of early aerobic training in relation to resting heart rate, peak workload and walking performance at the subacute stage post event.

Methods:

Sixty-four patients after a first ischemic stroke were included and randomly assigned either to an aerobic training or to a control group. The training period lasted 8 weeks. Heart rate variability (HRV) parameters, aerobic and functional abilities were measured.

Results:

Early aerobic exercise significantly improved endurance and walking performance in stroke patients (p < 0.05). A significant association was found between the HRV parameters two weeks post event and heart rate at rest and peak workload at the beginning of the program. No significant interaction effects between autonomic impairment and training on outcome measures were found.

Conclusion:

Early aerobic training resulted in positive effects on peak workload and walking parameters in stroke patients. No modification effect was found between HRV parameters and exercise on those parameters.
Degeneration speed of corticospinal tract in patients with cerebral infarct
Authors: Kim Dong Gyu , Ahn Young Hwan , Byun Woo Mok , Kim Tae Gun , Yang Dong Suk , Ahn Sang Ho , Cho Yoon Woo , Jang Sung Ho
Published: January 2020

Objectives:

Diffusion tensor image tractography (DTT) could be useful for exploring the state of the corticospinal tract (CST) at the level of the subcortical white matter. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the speed of degeneration of the CST in patients with cerebral infarct, using DTT.

Design:

Two patients with middle cerebral artery territory infarct were recruited for this study. DTT was performed 5 times with an interval of 7 days, starting at 2 days after onset, using a 1.5-T system with a synergy-L Sensitivity Encoding head coil. The termination criteria used were fractional anisotrophy < 0.3, 0.2, 0.1, respectively, and an angle change > 45°.

Results:

Detection of CST degeneration began at the 9 day DTT in both patients. The most rapid CST degeneration was noted for 7 days at 16 days from onset. We did not detect any tract in the affected hemisphere of both patients at the 23-day DTT.

Conclusions:

We demonstrated that CST degeneration begins before 9 days from onset and progresses rapidly in patients with middle cerebral artery territory infarct. It seems that the CST degeneration began earlier than expected.
Effective targets for constraint-induced movement therapy for patients with upper-extremity impairment after stroke
Authors: Koyama Tetsuo , Sano Kyoko , Tanaka Shotaro , Hatanaka Teruaki , Domen Kazuhisa
Published: January 2020

Objective:

Examination of effectiveness of different sites of constraint-induced movement therapy (CI therapy) for upper-extremity impairment of patients after stroke.

Subjects:

Patients exhibiting moderate to slight upper-extremity impairment after stroke.

Methods:

The patients received a modified version of CI therapy for a cumulative total of 5 h daily for 10 days. Using Fugl-Meyer scores, shoulder/elbow/forearm, wrist and hand functions were separately assessed before and after treatment. To assess the site-specific effects of CI therapy, before and after scores were statistically compared at each site using Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. Relative effects were evaluated by paired comparison of the results at each site with, in turn, the results at every other site. Instances of single-score increments were, using standard chi-square tests, statistically isolated and compared.

Results:

Nineteen patients, 12–169 (median 31) months after stroke, were enrolled in this study and completed the protocol. Age range was 40–81 (median 65) years old and pretreatment Fugl-Meyer total scores spanned 31–64 (median 48). Analyses detected statistically significant improvements for wrist, hand and coordination but not for shoulder/elbow/forearm subcomponents. For the hand, at least single-point increments were observed in 74% of the population, while only 47% showed similar increments for the shoulder/elbow/forearm, and 53% for the wrist. Statistical analysis revealed that a higher proportion had increments in hand scores.

Conclusions:

Statistical analysis shows that CI therapy is most beneficial for treating hand function, suggesting an efficient application of this treatment.
Attention training for reading impairment in mild aphasia: A follow-up study
Authors: Sinotte Michèle Page , Coelho Carl A.
Published: January 2020

Non-linguistic cognitive skills have recently become an area of focus in aphasia research. One skill that has received in-depth investigation is the role of attention in language tasks. In applying the resource allocation theory to aphasic language deficits, researchers have described performance variablity in language tasks that may result from insufficient capacity, inefficient allocation, or inappropriate allocation of attentional resources [16]. The present study was designed as a follow-up to a recent study examining direct attention training as a treatment for reading impairment in mild aphasia [3]. A treatment program was implemented to target complex attention skills for an individual with mild reading difficulties secondary to aphasia. Results revealed modest gains in reading rate and comprehension. A decrease in the variability of comprehension of longer complex reading passages was noted, suggesting a more efficient allocation of the participant's attentional resources. The positive gains noted for this individual's reading skills were felt to be the result of improvement in allocation of attentional resources rather than improvement in linguistic skills. The findings of this study add to the growing body of literature pertaining to the value of expanding assessment and treatment protocols for individuals with aphasia to include both linguistic and cognitive measures.
Extending the Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) approach to cognitive functions: Constraint-Induced Aphasia Therapy (CIAT) of chronic aphasia
Authors: Meinzer Marcus , Elbert Thomas , Djundja Daniela , Taub Edward , Rockstroh Brigitte
Published: January 2020

Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) is a powerful and well evaluated therapeutic tool for the treatment of post-stroke paresis. CIMT is based on an intensive training (massed practice) principle and a gradual rebuilding of movement functions (shaping principle). In this article we will review how CIMT principles can be adapted to treat post-stroke aphasia, thereby establishing a Constraint-Induced Aphasia Therapy (CIAT). First results of this new approach suggest success and feasibility for the treatment of chronic aphasia. The observation of reorganizational changes in brain activity following intensive language training add to previous evidence that CIMT-based therapy may lead to macroscopic remodelling of cortical network architecture.
Single case experimental design study of Carer facilitated Errorless Learning in a patient with severe memory impairment following TBI
Authors: Campbell Loretta , Wilson F. Colin , McCann John , Kernahan George , Gray Rogers Rosalind
Published: January 2020

Objectives:

To investigate if errorless learning applied by carer(s) in an everyday setting can reduce the frequency of everyday memory problems following severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Research design:

Multiple baseline single case experimental design.

Methods and procedures:

A patient with severe memory impairment, six years post TBI was recruited via an outpatient neurorehabilitation clinic. ABA analysis was conducted using daily frequency counts of everyday memory problems as an index of change.

Experimental intervention:

Errorless learning delivered by the patient’s carer, aimed at reducing the occurrence of identified everyday memory problems. The carer was guided in treatment implementation by an Occupational Therapist.

Main outcomes and results:

Incidence of frequently occurring memory lapses was significantly reduced (p < 0.001) and this was maintained at 3 months post intervention.

Conclusion:

This study highlights the potential clinical value of errorless learning with self-generated cues applied by carers within an everyday setting.
Skill reacquisition after acquired brain injury: A holistic habit retraining model of neurorehabilitation
Authors: Martelli Michael F. , Nicholson Keith , Zasler Nathan D.
Published: January 2020

Persistent cognitive, emotional and behavioral dysfunction following brain injury present formidable challenges in the area of neurorehabilitation. This paper reviews a model and practical methodology for community based neurorehabilitation based upon: Evidence from the “automatic learning” and “errorless learning” literature for skills relearning after brain injury; A widely applicable task analytic approach to designing relevant skills retraining protocols; Analysis of organic, reactive, developmental, and characterological obstacles to strategy utilization and relearning, and generation of effective therapeutic interventions; and Procedures for (a) promoting rehabilitative strategy use adapted to acute and chronic neurologic losses, (b) an individual’s inherent reinforcement preferences and coping style, (c) reliant on naturalistic reinforcers which highlight relationships to functional goals, utilize social networks, and (d) employ a simple and appealing cognitive attitudinal system and set of procedures. This Holistic Habit Retraining Model and methodology integrates core psychotherapeutic and learning principles as rehabilitation process ingredients necessary for optimal facilitation of skills retraining. It presents a model that generates practical, utilitarian strategies for retraining adaptive cognitive, emotional, behavioral and social skills, as well as strategies for overcoming common obstacles to utilizing methods that promote effective skills acquisition.
The positive effects of a physical activity program for multiple sclerosis patients with fatigue
Authors: Fragoso Yara Dadalti , Santana Diego Luiz Ballio , Pinto Rodrigo Cruz
Published: January 2020

Fatigue is a common and disabling symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS). There is no effective pharmacological treatment for fatigue, although a few reports point towards beneficial effects from physical activity for MS patients suffering from fatigue. We devised a physical activity program for MS patients with fatigue and present the results from our first use of this program, on nine patients from our region. The program consisted of a 20-week series of gradual stretching, resistance and aerobic exercises, adapted to the individual clinical condition of each patient. The results showed significant improvement in cardio-circulatory parameters, as well as a significant decrease in scores on the fatigue scale. The success of this program led patients to ask to continue with it after the trial was finished, and more patients are enrolling in the program, motivated by the good results reported by fellow patients.
Cortical reorganization demonstrated by diffusion tensor tractography analyzed using functional MRI activation
Authors: Han Bong Soo , Ahn Sang Ho , Jang Sung Ho
Published: January 2020

The diffusion tensor tractography (DTT) allows the corticospinal tract(CST) to be visualized at the subcortical level and functional MRI (fMRI) is capable of precisely identifying activation sites at the cortex. Therefore, it seems that combined DTT/fMRI would allow more accurate evaluation of the state of the CST. We have attempted to demonstrate cortical reorganization in a patient with cortical hemorrhage using DTT analyzed by fMRI activations. Six normal subjects and a 12-year-old female patient with a hemorrhage in the left fronto-parietal cortex were recruited. fMRI was performed at 1.5-T with timed hand grasp-release movements, and DTT was performed using 1.5-T with a Synergy-L Sensitivity Encoding head coil. Three-dimensional reconstructions of the fiber tracts were obtained using the fMRI activation as the seed region of interest and the CST area of the anterior pons as the target region of interest. The tract of the affected hemisphere originated from the lateral area of the injured precentral knob and descended along the known corticospinal tract pathway. It seems that the motor function of the affected hand was reorganized into the lateral area of the injured precentral knob. Therefore, these combined modalities would be helpful in elucidating the state of the CST.
A pilot study into the effect of vocal exercises and singing on dysarthric speech
Authors: Tamplin Jeanette
Published: January 2020

This pilot study aimed to investigate the effects of vocal exercises and singing on intelligibility and speech naturalness for subjects with acquired dysarthria following traumatic brain injury or stroke. A multiple case study design was used, involving pre, mid, and post-treatment assessments of intelligibility, rate, naturalness, and pause time for four subjects with dysarthria. Each subject participated in 24 individual music therapy sessions over eight weeks involving oral motor respiratory exercises, rhythmic and melodic articulation exercises, rhythmic speech cuing, vocal intonation therapy, and therapeutic singing using familiar songs. Results were measured using a standardized dysarthric speech assessment – the Sentence Intelligibility Test, waveform analysis, and ratings of speech naturalness. Statistically significant improvements in functional speech intelligibility were achieved but improvements in rate of speech were not significant. Speech naturalness improved post-treatment and a reduction in the number and length of pauses was verified via waveform analysis. Preliminary findings suggest that a program of vocal exercises and singing may facilitate more normative speech production for people with acquired dysarthria and support the need for further research in this area.
Muscle characteristics of persons with fibromyalgia syndrome
Authors: Jegede Adejoke B. , Gilbert Christopher , Tulkin Steven R.
Published: January 2020

Purpose:

To explore agonist and antagonist muscle characteristics, depression and physical functioning of patients with Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS).

Method:

Individuals with FMS (N = 34) and chronic pain (N = 36) were recruited from a chronic pain program. Normal controls (N = 37) were recruited from the general community.

Measures:

Demographic data (age, gender, marital status, ethnicity, and employment status), self-report physical and psychological functioning, current level of pain, level of depression, and agonist and antagonist muscle activity (SCM, Biceps/triceps, Forearm flexor/extensor, Lower leg tibialis anterior/gastrocnemius) were measured with sEMG.

Results:

There was a significant difference in upper arm muscle contra-activation between the FMS patients and normal controls but not between the non-FMS chronic pain patients and normal controls. When compared to normal controls, the FMS group reported more depression and a higher level of physical functioning problems, but it was not significantly different from the mean score for the non-FMS chronic pain group. Problems with physical functioning and depression did not predict strength of contra-activation in the upper arm muscle.

Conclusion:

These findings suggest presence of unusual muscle activity occurring in the bicep muscle of FMS and non-FMS chronic pain patients, which establishes a possible link between muscle dysfunction, mood and pain.
Effect of constraint-induced movement therapy with modified opposition restriction orthosis in chronic hemiparetic patients with stroke
Authors: Kim Dong Gyu , Cho Yun Woo , Hong Ji Heon , Song Jun Chan , Chung Hyun-Ae , Bai Dai-seg , Lee Chu-Hee , Jang Sung Ho
Published: January 2020

Objectives:

Constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) has been demonstrated to be effective in improving hemiparetic upper extremity function in stroke patients, but few studies have been performed to assess orthosis modification. We investigated the effect of the newly designed small orthosis named modified opposition restriction orthosis (MORO) in chronic hemiparetic patients with stroke.

Design:

Twenty-one stroke patients were randomly assigned to the CIMT group or control group. Thirteen patients in the CIMT group wore MORO confining the thumb and index finger for at least 5 hours of each day, 7 days a week for 8 weeks. The affected upper extremity function was evaluated using the manual function test (MFT), Purdue Pegboard (PP) score, and motor activity log (MAL) at pre and post-CIMT.

Results:

Four of the 13 patients in the CIMT group dropped out due to motivational problems, and 9 patients remained in the CIMT group at the end of the study. The patients in the CIMT group showed a mean improvement of 195.8% on MAL AOU (Amount of Use), 24.6% on PP score, and 5.5% on MFT.

Conclusion:

This new MORO would be effective for use in a CIMT program in chronic hemiparetic patients with stroke.
Mirror therapy activates outside of cerebellum and ipsilateral M1
Authors: Shinoura Nobusada , Suzuki Yuichi , Watanabe Yasuko , Yamada Ryozi , Tabei Yusuke , Saito Kuniaki , Yagi Kazuo
Published: January 2020

Mirror therapy is effective in the rehabilitation of patients with hemiparesis, but its mechanism is not clear. In this study, a patient with brain tumor (patient 1) who underwent mirror therapy after surgery and showed drastic recovery of hand paresis, a patient with visual memory disturbance (patient 2), and five normal volunteers performed tasks related to mirror therapy in fMRI study. In patient 1 and all normal volunteers, right and left hand clenching with looking at a mirror (eye open) activated outside of cerebellum, while right and left hands clenching with eye closed activated inside of cerebellum. In patient 2, mirror therapy did not activate outside of cerebellum. In patient 1, and 3 out of 5 normal volunteers, the area of right (affected) M1 activated by right and left hands clenching with eye open was more than that by right and left hands clenching with eye closed, and that right M1 was activated by right hand clenching with eye open. In conclusion, mirror therapy facilitate the paresis of patients by activating ipsilateral M1 and outside of cerebellum, which is possibly related to visual memory function.
Gait changes after deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's disease in a patient with cervical myelopathy
Authors: Farris Sierra M. , Giroux Monique L.
Published: January 2020

Subthalamic (STN) deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an effective treatment for advanced Parkinson's disease. We present a patient with significant gait problems due to Parkinson's disease (PD) who underwent STN DBS. Gait worsened after surgery despite significant improvement in parkinsonian signs, due to underlying spasticity previously overshadowed by his parkinsonian motor symptoms. This case illustrates an emergence of dysfunction in gait in a patient with otherwise improved function and reinforces the need for an interdisciplinary approach to care of these patients.
Patient perceptions of multiple sclerosis-related care: Comparisons by practice specialty of principal care physician
Authors: Buchanan Robert J. , Kaufman Michael , Zhu Li , James Wesley
Published: January 2020

Do people with multiple sclerosis who receive the majority of their care from neurologists perceive access to and quality of their care differently than people receiving their care from medical internists, family/general practitioners, and other types of physicians? The objective of this study is to identify any patient-identified differences in MS-related care by the practice specialty of the principal care physician, as well as differences by practice specialty in satisfaction with access to physician services and differences in patient perceptions of quality. Data were collected by surveying 1,518 people with MS throughout the United States and grouped by practice specialty of principal care physician (neurologist, internal medicine, family/general practice, and other physicians). Significant differences were observed by practice specialty of the principal care physician in physician understanding of various aspects of MS, satisfaction with access to MS-focused care, and quality of MS-focused care, with neurologists associated with better patient perceptions. Patients consider MS-related care superior when it is delivered by neurologists compared to MS patients receiving care from medical internists, family/general practitioners, and other physicians.
Brain activation pattern according to exercise complexity: A functional MRI study
Authors: Park Ji-Won , Kwon Yong Hyun , Lee Mi Young , Bai Daiseg , Nam Ki-Seok , Cho Yoon Woo , Lee Chu-Hee , Jang Sung Ho
Published: January 2020

The aim of this study was to compare the areas of brain activation between complex and simple exercises in a unimanual hand and to assess the possibility of an exercise task for paretic hands following stroke. The subjects included 11 healthy right-handed volunteers. The complex exercise was a wooden ball rotation task with the unimanual hand and the simple exercise was a hand grasp task performed during a functional MRI scan. Stronger activation of the left primary sensorimotor cortex, the left premotor area, and the ipsilateral cerebellum emerged when the complex movement was performed. Ipsilateral activity was located in the primary sensory cortex and premotor area, and contralateral activity was shown in the left cerebellum. These results suggest that a unimanual ball rotation task may be appropriate for rehabilitation of a movable paretic hand in an early stage of stroke recovery, which should provide motor and sensory input using external stimuli, while the simple motor task may appropriate in a compensatory stage, and should inhibit the ipsilateral activity due to maladaptive plasticity.
Lumbar disk prolapse: Response to mechanical physiotherapy in the absence of changes in magnetic resonance imaging. Report of 11 cases
Authors: Broetz Doris , Hahn Ulrich , Maschke Evelin , Wick Wolfgang , Kueker Wilhelm , Weller Michael
Published: January 2020

Background:

Lumbar disk prolapses are among the most common neurological conditions. In this open study, we asked whether repeated end-range spinal movements (McKenzie method) as physiotherapy in patients with lumbar disk prolapse induce early changes in location, size and signal intensity of lumbar disc material detectable by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We compared clinical with radiographic changes. The clinical efficacy of mechanical physiotherapy according to the McKenzie method within 5 days was documented.

Methods:

Eleven consecutive patients with lumbar disk prolapse were included. Patients were treated with repeated end-range spinal movements and MRI was performed before and after 2–5 treatments.

Results:

All patients achieved a reduction in symptoms and signs of disk prolapse during and after these procedures but none showed any change in the MRI features of the prolapses.

Conclusions:

Beneficial effects of specific mechanical physiotherapy in patients with radicular syndromes from lumbar disk prolapse are not paralleled by changes in the MRI appearance of the prolapses. Alternative explanations for the early clinical responses in some patients with lumbar disc prolapse treated according to the McKenzie method must be sought.
A (DES)CONSTRUÇÃO DA PRÁTICA PEDAGÓGICA NA EDUCAÇÃO DO CAMPO: O DIÁLOGO ENTRE O SABER POPULAR E O SABER CIENTÍFICO
Authors: Xavier Travalha Conceição Clarete , Faria Alves Leila De Cassia
Published: January 2020

Construída com o protagonismo dos movimentos sociais camponeses, a Educação do Campo se tornou um dos mais importantes mecanismos de transformação social, via educação, desenvolvidos no Brasil nas duas últimas décadas. O diálogo entre os movimentos sociais e a universidade vem permitindo novas formas de se conceber a educação como instrumento de emancipação dos povos do campo. As motivações deste artigo originaram-se de inquietações e preocupações geradas no contexto da formação de professores no âmbito da Educação do Campo. O nosso objetivo foi refletir acerca do diálogo entre a ciência oficial constituída e os saberes populares a partir da descrição de uma prática pedagógica construída numa escola do campo. Os resultados evidenciaram que o diálogo entre esses saberes é algo real nas escolas do campo, possível no universo acadêmico e imprescindível nas diversas esferas que compõem o universo educativo das escolas do campo.
Efektivitas Pemanfaatan Dana Desa dalam Mengentaskan Kemiskinan di Kecamatan Kuala, Kab Nagan Raya
Authors: Ramly Ar Royyan , Wahyuddin Wahyuddin , Djalil Muslim A. , Indriani Mirna
Published: January 2020

Penelitian ini bertujuan menganalisa dan melihat efektifitas distribusi pemanfaatan dana desa di Kecamatan Kuala Kabupaten Nagan Raya dan hubungannya dengan tingkat kemiskinan. Data yang digunakan berupa data time series dari tahun 2015 hingga tahun 2018 yang dikumpulkan melalui data primer dan sekunder. Data primer diperoleh dengan mendatangi langsung ke desa-desa di kecamatan kuala. Sementara data sekunder diperoleh dari website Badan Pusat Statistik (BPS), telaah dokumen, artikel yang berhubungan dengan objek penelitian. Penelitian ini melakukan observasi terhadap 10 desa sebagai sample dari 17 desa di Kecamatan Kuala. Metode analisa mengunakan regresi data panel dengan metode analisa random effect model (REM). Dari hasil regresi model random effect ditemukan bahwa variabel dana desa berpengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap kemisikinan dengan Probabilitas sebesar  0,0000 = p-value α = 5%. Kemudian variabel alokasi dana desa berpengaruh negatif signifikan terhadap kemiskinan dengan Probabilitas sebesar  0,0000 = p-value α = 5%. Artinya dengan menambahkan 1% dana desa atau meningkatkan dana desa akan mengurangi kemiskinan di Kecamatan Kuala Kabupaten Nagan Raya
Population-Resources Dynamics
Authors: Telles Charles
Published: January 2020

Dynamics of population and resources symmetries are investigated and a model of ecological interaction that fits with empirical behavior was obtained. It was observed how variables in these dynamics are in recurrence considering parameters such as time, frequency, iteration and interaction. Variables investigated are the consume, time and supply mechanics.
Time series analysis of these variables indicated a possible phase space formation of the phenomena. The main conclusion leads to a nonlinear dynamics of the  ecological interactions of the organisms and resources symmetries.
(Item cover credit: Amber, Mabel. Aug. 12, 2018)
Application-specific oxide-based and metal-dielectric thin-film materials prepared by RF sputtering
Authors: Nur E Alam Mohammad , Vasiliev Mikhail
Published: January 2020

We report on the development of several different thin-film material systems prepared by RF magnetron sputtering at Edith Cowan University nanofabrication labs. While focusing on the RF sputtering process optimizations for new or the previously underexplored material compositions and multilayer structures, we disclose several unforeseen material properties and behaviours. We communicate research results related to the design, prototyping, and practical fabrication of high-performance magneto-optic (MO) materials, oxide based sensor components, and transparent heat regulation coatings for advanced construction and solar windows.
Network Modeling of Piezoelectric Transducers for Energy Conversion
Authors: Fa Lin , Zhao Meishan
Published: January 2020

Created by: Lin Fa and Meishan Zhao
Job quality
Authors: Simões Nádia
Published: January 2020

We present the concept of job quality and its measurement. We discuss a recently introduced approach which evaluates job quality at the worker-level (micro-level). It considers eleven dimensions grouped into three main groups: core objective dimensions, complementary objective dimensions, and subjective dimensions.
DNA Excision Repairs and Implication on Human Health
Authors: Kang Tae-Hong
Published: January 2020

The physiological impact of the aberrant oxidation products on genomic DNA were demonstrated by embryonic lethality or the cancer susceptibility and/or neurological symptoms of  animal impaired in the base excision repair (BER); the major pathway to maintain genomic integrity against non-bulky DNA oxidation. However, growing evidence suggests that other DNA repair pathways or factors that are not primarily associated with the classical BER pathway are also actively involved in the mitigation of oxidative assaults on the genomic DNA, according to the corresponding types of DNA oxidation. Among others, factors dedicated to lesion recognition in the nucleotide excision repair (NER) pathway have been shown to play eminent roles in the process of lesion recognition and stimulation of the enzyme activity of some sets of BER factors. Besides, substantial bulky DNA oxidation can be preferentially removed by a canonical NER mechanism; therefore, loss of function in the NER pathway shares common features arising from BER defects, including cancer predisposition and neurological disorders, although NER defects generally are nonlethal.
Cytonemes in Tumourigenesis
Authors: Portela Marta
Published: January 2020

Increasing evidence during the past two decades shows that cells interconnect and communicate through cytonemes. These cytoskeleton-driven extensions of specialized membrane territories have emerged as a novel alternative for cell to cell communication that are involved in development, physiology, and disease. Several recent studies have shown that signalling pathways mediated by cytonemes during development, are essential for certain tumoral cell types progression.
In Drosophila wing disc EGFR and RET tumour models, cytoneme formation is required to receive signals from the neighbouring cells. Genetic ablation of cytonemes prevents tumour progression, restores apico-basal polarity, and improves survival.
Furthermore, cytonemes in the Drosophila glial cells are essential for glioblastoma progression as they alter Wg/Fz1 signalling between glia and neurons. Research on cytoneme formation, maintenance, and cell signalling mechanisms will help to better understand not only physiological developmental processes and tissue homeostasis but also cancer progression.
Niektoré typy nezhodného prívlastku v slovenských nárečiach
Authors: Ferenčíková Adriana
Published: January 2020

Do badań geografi cznego zróżnicowania składni gwarowej metoda gromadzenia danych terenowych za pomocą kwestionariusza nie jest efektywna. Właściwą informację o systemowych strukturach syntaktycznych w dialektach można zdobyć tylko dzięki analizie obszernego kompletu tekstów gwarowych, równomiernie obejmujących ogólnonarodowe terytorium językowe. Na takiej analizie opierają się nasze badania typów przydawki bezokolicznikowej (np. metla dvor zametať; košíki na repu kopať; xustočka co na hlavu nośic) i przydawki niekongruentnej ze substantivum verbale (np. varexe na haluške viberaňia; robote okolo maku dorábäňia), które należą do systemu syntaktycznego wielkiej części gwar słowackich, jednak nie istnieją w języku literackim.
Placing Kashubian in the Circum-Baltic (CB) area
Authors: Nomachi Motoki
Published: January 2020

Celem niniejszego artykułu jest umiejscowienie kaszubszczyzny na lingwistycznej mapie tzw. bałtyckiej ligi językowej (Circum-Baltic area). W tekście kaszubszczyzna analizowana jest pod kątem kilku istotniejszych cech dla tej ligi językowej według O. Dahla, M. Koptjevskiej-Tamm, B. Wälchliego i innych.
Zagadnienie wspólnoty językowej Słowian w "Rocznikach" Jana Długosza
Authors: Maćkowiak Krzysztof
Published: January 2020

Długosz porusza w Rocznikach wiele kwestii lingwistycznych. Są to problemy, które z punktu widzenia współczesnych studiów nawiązują do etnolingwistyki, kultury słowa oraz językoznawstwa porównawczego. Artykuł koncentruje się na tym ostatnim wątku – rekonstruuje poglądy kronikarza na dzieje i kształt słowiańskiej wspólnoty językowej. Długosz wiedział, jak rozległe tereny zajmowała ona w Europie. Aczkolwiek nakreślony przez niego obraz językowy Słowian jest niepełny. Trzeba jednak zaznaczyć, że zdecydował o tym nie brak stosownej wiedzy, ale przyjęty zakres tematyczny analizowanego dzieła. Historyk opisywał losy Polski i jej bezpośrednich sąsiadów, dlatego skupił się na północnej Słowiańszczyźnie oraz trzech współtworzących ją językach: polskim, czeskim i ruskim.
O położeniu nieba pod czas rewolucyi roku – opisy nieba w dniu równonocy wiosennej w kalendarzach astrologiczno-prognostykarskich z I połowy XVIII wieku
Authors: Parys Małgorzata
Published: January 2020

Przedmiotem artykułu jest prezentacja sposobów obrazowania planet w opisach nieba zawartych w prognostykach, obligatoryjnie występujących w XVIII-wiecznych kalendarzach. Wzorzec gatunkowy kalendarza astrologiczno-prognostykarskiego obejmuje wielostylowy, izofunkcyjny zbiór gatunków o określonej strukturze kompozycyjnej. Poszczególne gatunki odzwierciedlają założenia astrologii poprzez właściwy sobie układ treści i właściwości językowo-stylistyczne. Ideologia astralna posługuje się centralną metaforą RZECZYPOSPOLITEJ NIEBIESKIEJ. Niebo konceptualizowane jest jako kraj, którego organizacja przypomina ustrój polityczny Rzeczypospolitej szlacheckiej, czyli monarchię elekcyjną. W Rzeczypospoliej Niebieskiej rolę elekcyjnych władców odgrywają planety, a poddanymi są zależne od nich poszczególne stany i narody, królestwa, prowincje i miasta. Równość planet w możliwości kandydowania na tron Pana Rocznego jest odzwierciedleniem idei równości stanu szlacheckiego.
Rozumienie współczesne i dzieje wyrażenia miłość własna w polszczyźnie
Authors: Grzegorczykowa Renata , Mikołajczuk Agnieszka
Published: January 2020

W artykule przedstawiamy dzieje wyrażenia miłość własna (stabilizującego się w języku polskim między XVII a końcem XVIII w.) i jego współczesne rozumienie, w tym w psychologii. W wyniku analizy semantycznej (z wykorzystaniem językowych korpusów XVII–XVIII i XX–XXI w.) wydzielamy dwa sposoby rozumienia tego wyrażenia: 1) ‘miłość własną1’ – neutralny stan psychiczny, który obejmuje: ‘poczucie swojej odrębności, akceptację siebie, pragnienie dobra dla siebie i poczucie własnej wartości’; 2) ‘miłość własną2’ – oceniany negatywnie stan psychiczny, który obejmuje: ‘wyolbrzymione poczucie własnej wartości, pragnienie dobra wyłącznie dla siebie, pragnienie uznania ze strony innych’. Na koniec rekonstruujemy metaforyczne obrazowanie miłości własnej utrwalone we współczesnej polszczyźnie.
Foreign policy of the Slovak Republic towards challenges in the eastern policy of the European Union
Authors: Pytlik Bogusław
Published: January 2020

The article is about the selected and current problems of the Central and Eastern Europeanforeign policy of the Slovak Republic. This state, like other small in terms of territoryCentral European countries, due to the actual position held as a player in internationalrelations, it cannot influence the decisions of the other states, i.e. more powerful participants. In this respect, it seems interesting which analysed activities of the Slovak foreignpolicy are now a priority. The content analysis of the source documents and the results ofoperations of the Slovak government allows us to make a distinction between ‘declaredpriorities “and” real priorities”. The first shall be adopted officially, among others, by virtueof the Slovak Republic’s membership in the Euro-Atlantic structures, and the latter arethe result of an independent assessment of international affairs and strive to highlightthe important role of the Slovak Republic in this area. In the case of the first group ofpriorities a very clear duality of attitudes can also be seen, which makes you think aboutthe real objectives, especially in the Eastern European dimension of the foreign policythat the current government of the Slovak Republic aims to meet.
Udział Senatu RP w tworzeniu prawa i kreowaniu polityki społeczno-gospodarczej państwa
Authors: Nowacka Eliza
Published: January 2020

Polityka społeczno-gospodarcza jako jedna z dziedzin branżowych polityki publicznej kreowana może być przez różne organy państwa, wśród nich znajduje się także druga izba parlamentu. Zauważyć jednak należy, że nie jest to główna domena działalności izby drugiej. Widoczne ograniczenie udziału drugiej izby w kreowaniu polityki społeczno-gospodarczej państwa dostrzec można zwłaszcza w tych państwach, w których realizowany jest model bikameralizmu asymetrycznego, przykład może stanowić parlament Republiki Czeskiej, którego izba druga nie bierze udziału w procesie uchwalenia ustawy budżetowej.Analizując prace Senatu RP, także nie można powiedzieć, że kreowanie polityki społeczno-gospodarczej państwa jest działalnością priorytetową wyższej izby polskiego parlamentu, pomimo tego, że Senat posiada instrumenty, które pozwalają brać udział w kreowaniu tej polityki. Chociaż wśród projektów ustaw zaproponowanych przez izbę wyższą parlamentu polskiego rzadko można znaleźć te dotyczące kreowania politykispołeczno-gospodarczej, można jednak podać przykłady inicjatyw ustawodawczych, które proponują zmiany w systemie podatkowym, prawie pracy, zmiany dotyczące opieki społecznej czy też rent i emerytur. Dzięki inicjatywom ustawodawczym Senatu powołane do życia zostały izby obrachunkowe i związki pracodawców.Aktywność Senatu w dziedzinie polityki społeczno-gospodarczej państwa dostrzec można w działalności komisji senackich. Tutaj zwrócić uwagę należy na poprawki do ustawy budżetowej czy opiniowanie umów międzynarodowych. Senat jako „izba refleksji” przywiązuje dużą wagę do organizowania licznych seminariów i konferencji, także dotyczących polityki społeczno-gospodarczej państwa. Należy jednak podkreślić, że Senat marginalizuje swoją rolę w dziedzinie polityki społeczno-gospodarczej. Podejmuje działania niejako na marginesie innej działalności. Dostrzec można brak w tych działaniach programów długofalowych i kompleksowych. Senat wykorzystuje instrumenty ustrojowe, czyni to jednak w sposób umiarkowany