bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The author’s programme of motoral improvement and physical fitness of intellectually disabled people
Authors: Drobnik Paweł , Cybulska Agnieszka , Dargiewicz Robert 
Published: February 2017

AbstractRegardless of which part of the world people live in, approx. 10-15% of society is disabled in terms of senses, physical or intellectual development.The objective of the undertaken studies was to assess physical fitness of intellectually disabled people on the example of disabled people under the custody of the Nursing Home (NH) in Gdańsk as well as to examine the impact of the authors’ improvement program entitled “Me and my fitness” on improvement of physical fitness.The studies involved 23 participants who were divided according to the degree of disability and age. Initial measurement of physical fitness was performed using the Eurofit Special test. After diagnosing physical fitness, the authors’ improvement program was introduced into the patients’ daily schedule. The program was implemented for six months, after which another measurement was performed using the same research tool.It was stated that the implemented motor improvement program beneficially impacted results in selected tests regarding physical fitness of the participants with mild intellectual disability. The results did not indicate significant changes, in particular in the group of people with moderate intellectual disability.1. The authors’ improvement program “Me and my fitness” indicates statistical symptoms beneficially impacting the relation with maintaining physical fitness measured by the Eurofit Special test among the participants with mild intellectual disability in a group of 30-45 year-olds. 2. The studies indicated that there are certain trends, curves showing the direction of changes, which after a longer period of improvement applying the authors’ program may become statistically significant.
Body balance in standing position in people after cerebral stroke on the basis of posturographic examinations
Authors: Jasińska Kamila 
Published: February 2017

AbstractA stroke has a number of direct effects on body balance. Despite the progress in medical science, it continues to be one of the major causes of disability in adults.The objective of the study was to evaluate the body balance in people after stroke depending on the side of hemiparesis.The study included 30 patients with left and right-sided hemiparesis. The mean age of the patients was 66 years. The tests were conducted on the R50300 Cosmogamma balance platform, in a standing position. Each patient was examined twice: with and without vision, in a standing position. The statistical analysis was carried out using the STATISTICA software.The results revealed statistical differences in the maximum lateral sways of the Centre of Pressure (COP) with the eyes open, the maximum front-back sways of the Centre of Pressure with the eyes closed, and the mean COP values in the frontal plane with and without vision in individuals with right and left-sided hemiparesis. Patients with left and right-sided hemiparesis were found to underload the affected side, regardless of whether they were tested with or without vision. Moreover, patients with right-sided hemiparesis who were tested with their eyes open had greater difficulty maintaining body balance in the frontal plane than those with left-sided hemiparesis, and patients with right-sided hemiparesis who were examined with their eyes closed had greater difficulty maintaining body balance in the sagittal plane than those with left-sided hemiparesis.During the posturographic examination, individuals with left and right-sided hemiparesis displayed underloading of the affected side, both when tested with their eyes open and closed. When tested with vision, patients with right-sided hemiparesis had greater difficulty maintaining body balance in the frontal plane than those with left-sided hemiparesis. When tested without vision, patients with right-sided hemiparesis had greater difficulty maintaining body balance in the sagittal plane than those with left-sided hemiparesis.
Analysis of the Motor Activities of Professional Polish Soccer Players
Authors: Andrzejewski Marcin , Pluta Beata , Konefał Marek , Chmura Paweł , Chmura Jan 
Published: February 2017

Abstract
Introduction. The aims of the present study were to determine the activity profiles of a large sample of Polish Premier League soccer players during elite-standard soccer matches depending on their position on the pitch and the intensity range of physical activity. Material and methods. The study sample comprised 1,178 players in 5 outfield positions: external defenders (ED, n = 289), central defenders (CD, n = 307), central midfield players (CM, n = 327), external midfield players (EM, n = 152), and forwards (F, n = 103). Altogether, 81 Polish League games held during four domestic seasons (2010-2011, 2011-2012, 2012-2013, and 2013-2014) were used in the analysis. A semi-automatic computerised player tracking system (Amisco Pro®, version 1.0.2, Nice, France) was applied to create the match activity profiles of the teams. Results. The results of statistical analysis revealed that the average total distance covered by all the players (n = 1,178) was 11,313 ± 852 m. With respect to the players’ position on the pitch, the central midfielders travelled the longest average distance (11,894 ± 765 m) during the game. The longest distance was covered in the V1 intensity range (62%), followed by V2 (15%), V3 (10%), V4 (8%), V5 (3%), and V6 (2%). Conclusions. The objective of this study was to verify the differences among playing positions and to quantify the demands placed on elite Polish soccer players in each individual position during match play. While analysing elite-level match play in terms of the overall distance covered in different categories of intensity, we found a number of statistically significant differences between different playing positions. The data presented in this study can be regarded as norms for elite soccer players, serve for present and future comparison, and represent the scientific basis for developing position-specific conditioning/training protocols in soccer.
Rethinking Meaning: An Ecological Perspective on Language
Authors: Rączaszek-Leonardi Joanna , Fusaroli Riccardo , Caramelli Nicoletta 
Published: February 2017

Abstract
In a view of language as part of embodied and situated cognition, reduction of its meaning to individual mental representations ceases to be sufficient. Language relies on and at the same time enables distributed cognition thus the key aspects of meaning are in the interaction of individuals within their world. This special issue is an outcome of a workshop, which gathered representatives of several disciplines in a common effort to find appropriate theoretical concepts for the characterization of those aspects of meaning that lie in the mutual constraining between language and collective practice. The emerging picture is complex, involving multimodal participatory construction of meaning in multiple systems and on multiple timescales. The Authors, however propose also several innovative methods to navigate this complexity. In this short introduction we aim at placing the works contained in this issue on a broader map of ongoing efforts to understand language as a proper part of human ecology.
Meaning in Phonology and Other Departures from Modularity in the Living Language
Authors: Fowler Carol A. 
Published: February 2017

Abstract
I review evidence of three kinds relating to leakages in modularity within language domains and between linguistic and nonlinguistic action. One kind of evidence shows that the form-meaning “rift” in language that enables the important principle of duality of patterning and the particulate principle of self-diversifying systems is bridged in many ways. Segmental language forms have iconic meanings, and form-meaning correlations of other kinds emerge cross linguistically. A second kind of evidence occurs in parallel transmission of linguistic prosodic information with iconic and emotional information conveyed suprasegmentally. The final kind of evidence shows the integrality of linguistic and nonlinguistic action (deictic points, speech-accompanying gestures, head motions, facial expressions, etc) in conveying communicative information in public language use. I suggest that these violations of modularity within language and between linguistic and nonlinguistic action reflect the dynamic effects of sets of competing and cooperating constraints including, among others, parity and learnability of language forms that shape communicative actions in social activity.
Polymorphisms in autophagy genes and active pulmonary tuberculosis susceptibility in Romania
Authors: Cucu Mihai Gabriel , Streața Ioana , Riza Anca Lelia , Cimpoeru Alina Liliana , Șerban-Șoșoi Simona , Ciocoiu Adela , Pleșea Răzvan Mihail , Popescu Elena Leocadia , Dorobanțu Ștefania , Anghel Andreea , Stroe Aida Maria , Ștefan Andreea Nicoleta , Cioboată Ramona , Băzăvan Ileana , Ciontea Marius Sorin , Căpitănescu Iulia , Olteanu Mihai , Nițu Mimi , Burada Florin , Tătaru Tiberiu , Netea Mihai , van Crevel Reinout , Olaru Marian , Mixich Francisc , Ioana Mihai 
Published: February 2017

Abstract
Autophagy, a homeostatic process involved in nutrient regeneration and immune responses, may be involved in intracellular killing of M. tuberculosis. Several studies linked variation in autophagy genes with susceptibility to pulmonary tuberculosis, but others did not confirm these findings.
We genotyped single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the ATG5 (rs2245214, c.574-12777G>C) and NOD2 (rs2066844, c.2104C>T) genes for 256 pulmonary tuberculosis patients and 330 unrelated healthy controls in Romania. Both SNPs have been reported as relevant for the autophagy process and potentially for susceptibility to active pulmonary tuberculosis.
In our study, the polymorphisms in ATG5 and NOD2 were not associated with tuberculosis. This suggests that the two genetic variants we focused on are not related to the risk for developing active TB in a Romanian population.
Simulation on impact response of FMLs: effect of fiber stacking sequence, thickness, and incident angle
Authors: Yang Bin , He Liang , Gao Yang 
Published: February 2017

Abstract
We built a three-dimensional finite element (FE) model to investigate the impact response of fiber-metal laminates (FMLs). This FE model comprises two metal layers as facesheets and a carbon woven fabric-reinforced plastic laminate as inner core. Simulation was performed on ABAQUS/Explicit platform, and stiffness progressive degeneration criteria were implemented to evaluate damages in composites. The Johnson-Cook model was selected to calculate failures in metal, while surface-based cohesive behavior was adopted to simulate the delamination phenomenon. We studied the fiber stacking sequence, panel thickness, and incident angle effect on the impact behavior of FMLs. The critical penetration energy of the FMLs was determined, and the impact parameter history was discussed.
Forecast accuracy of a BVAR under alternative specifications of the zero lower bound
Authors: Berg Tim Oliver 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThis paper discusses how the forecast accuracy of a Bayesian vector autoregression (BVAR) is affected by introducing the zero lower bound on the federal funds rate. As a benchmark I adopt a common BVAR specification, including 18 variables, estimated shrinkage, and no nonlinearity. Then I entertain alternative specifications of the zero lower bound. I account for the possibility that the effect of monetary policy on the economy is different in this regime, replace the federal funds rate by its shadow rate, consider a logarithmic transformation, feed in monetary policy shocks, or utilize conditional forecasts allowing for all shocks implemented through a rejection sampler. The latter two are also coupled with interest rate expectations from future contracts. It is shown that the predictive densities of all these specifications are greatly different, suggesting that this modeling choice is not innocuous. The comparison is based on the accuracy of point and density forecasts of major US macroeconomic series during the period 2009:1 to 2014:4. The introduction of the zero lower bound is not beneficial per se, but it depends on how it is done and which series is forecasted. With caution, I recommend the shadow rate specification and the rejection sampler combined with interest rate expectations to deal with the nonlinearity in the policy rate. Since the policy rate will remain low for some time, these findings could prove useful for practical forecasters.
Motor Neurons Tune Premotor Activity in a Vertebrate Central Pattern Generator
Authors: Lawton Kristy J. , Perry Wick M. , Yamaguchi Ayako , Zornik Erik 
Published: February 2017

Central patterns generators (CPGs) are neural circuits that drive rhythmic motor output without sensory feedback. Vertebrate CPGs are generally believed to operate in a top-down manner in which premotor interneurons activate motor neurons that in turn drive muscles. In contrast, the frog (Xenopus laevis) vocal CPG contains a functionally unexplored neuronal projection from the motor nucleus to the premotor nucleus, indicating a recurrent pathway that may contribute to rhythm generation. In this study, we characterized the function of this bottom-up connection. TheX. laevisvocal CPG produces a 50–60 Hz “fast trill” song used by males during courtship. We recorded “fictive vocalizations” in thein vitroCPG from the laryngeal nerve while simultaneously recording premotor activity at the population and single-cell level. We show that transecting the motor-to-premotor projection eliminated the characteristic firing rate of premotor neurons. Silencing motor neurons with the intracellular sodium channel blocker QX-314 also disrupted premotor rhythms, as did blockade of nicotinic synapses in the motor nucleus (the putative location of motor neuron-to-interneuron connections). Electrically stimulating the laryngeal nerve elicited primarily IPSPs in premotor neurons that could be blocked by a nicotinic receptor antagonist. Our results indicate that an inhibitory signal, activated by motor neurons, is required for proper CPG function. To our knowledge, these findings represent the first example of a CPG in which precise premotor rhythms are tuned by motor neuron activity.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTCentral pattern generators (CPGs) are neural circuits that produce rhythmic behaviors. In vertebrates, motor neurons are not commonly known to contribute to CPG function, with the exception of a few spinal circuits where the functional significance of motor neuron feedback is still poorly understood. The frog hindbrain vocal circuit contains a previously unexplored connection from the motor to premotor region. Our results indicate that motor neurons activate this bottom-up connection, and blocking this signal eliminates normal premotor activity. These findings may promote increased awareness of potential involvement of motor neurons in a wider range of CPGs, perhaps clarifying our understanding of network principles underlying motor behaviors in numerous organisms, including humans.
Socioeconomic Attainment of Extremely Low Birth Weight Survivors: The Role of Early Cognition
Authors: Dobson Kathleen G. , Ferro Mark A. , Boyle Michael H. , Schmidt Louis A. , Saigal Saroj , Van Lieshout Ryan J. 
Published: February 2017

OBJECTIVES:
To determine: (1) if childhood cognitive and academic abilities mediate the association between being born at extremely low birth weight (ELBW) and socioeconomic attainment at age 29 to 36 years; (2) which cognitive abilities (IQ, verbal abilities, fluid intelligence, mathematical abilities, or academic achievement) most strongly mediate this association; and (3) if the mediating role of cognition is different in ELBW survivors with significant neurosensory impairment (NSI).

METHODS:
A prospective, longitudinal cohort of 100 Canadian ELBW survivors born between 1977 and 1982 and 89 normal birth weight comparison participants were used to examine the mediating role of childhood cognition by using 5 cognitive mediators assessed at age 8 years (overall IQ, verbal IQ, performance IQ, quantitative ability, and academic achievement) on socioeconomic attainment at adulthood. Socioeconomic attainment was defined as personal annual earnings and full-time employment assessed via self-report at age 29 to 36 years.

RESULTS:
Mediation models revealed that childhood cognition mediated the association between ELBW status and income attainment, with mathematical abilities and overall IQ each accounting for 26% of the direct effect. Mediated effects were not statistically significant in full-time employment models. For both outcomes, the mediating effect of cognition was stronger for ELBW survivors with NSI.

CONCLUSIONS:
Childhood cognitive abilities partially mediate associations between ELBW status and adult income attainment. Early life cognition is a critical predictor of socioeconomic attainment in ELBW survivors, particularly in those born with NSI. Interventions aimed at enhancing early cognition in ELBW survivors may help optimize their later socioeconomic attainment.
Biodegradable Polymer Microfluidics for Tissue Engineering Microvasculature
Authors: King Kevin R. , Wang Chiaochun , Vacanti Joseph P. , Borenstein Jeffrey T. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractIn this work, we present for the first time, the fabrication of a fully biodegradable microfluidic device with features of micron-scale precision. This implantable MEMS device is a transition from poorly defined porous scaffolds to reproducible precision scaffolds with built-in convective conduits. First, conventional photolithography is used to create a master mold by bulk micromachining silicon. Next, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) silicone elastomer is replica molded to form a flexible inverse mold. The commonly used biodegradable polymer Poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA 85:15) is then compression micromolded onto the PDMS to form micropatterned films of the biodegradable polymer. Finally, a thermal fusion bonding process is used to seal the biodegradable PLGA films, forming closed microfluidic channels at the capillary size-scale. Film thicknesses from 100μm-1mm are demonstrated with features having 2μm resolution and 0.2μm precision. Scanning electron micrographs of bonded biodegradable films reveal no observable bond interface and no significant pattern deformation. Bonded microfluidic channels are capable of supporting more than 30psi during flow studies, and we have used the processes to develop complex microfluidic networks for cell culture and implantation as well as simple channels to verify the fluid dynamics in the degradable microchannels. The processes described here are high resolution and fully biodegradable. In addition, they are fast, inexpensive, reproducible, and scalable, making them ideal for both rapid prototyping and manufacturing of tissue engineering scaffolds.
Disposable Smart Plastic Biochips For Clinical Diagnostics
Authors: Ahn Chong H. , Choi Jin-Woo , Kim Sanghyo , Sohn Young-Soo , Puntambekar Aniruddha , Murugesan Suresh , Beaucage Gregory , Nevin Joseph H. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThis paper presents an overview of the development of novel disposable smart plastic fluidic biochips for clinical diagnostic applications. The biochip is manufactured using a low-cost, rapid turn around injection molding/embossing process on a plastic substrate. The plastic fluidic biochip uses a novel sPROMs (structurally programmable microfluidic system) approach to achieve passive control of fluidic sequencing [1-2]. The plastic biochip also uses an on-chip pressurized air source for fluidic movement thus eliminating the need for active driving mechanisms and allowing for a truly disposable approach. Furthermore, electrochemical biosensors are also integrated on-chip to analyze various metabolically significant parameters such as PO2(partial pressure of oxygen), Glucose, Lactate,and pH. The fluidic biochip is being developed for point-of-care health monitoring applications where parameters such as small size, simplicity of operation, disposability, reduced cross-contamination are vital. The issues mentioned above are successfully addressed using the approach of this work and are discussed in this paper.
High Performance Micromachined Planar Field-Asymmetric Ion Mobility Spectrometers for Chemical and Biological Compound Detection
Authors: Miller Raanan A. , Zapata Angela , Nazarov Erkinjon G. , Krylov Evgeny , Eiceman Gary A. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThe micromachined Planar High Field Asymmetric Waveform Ion Mobility Spectrometer (PFAIMS) is a novel detector for chemical and biological sensing applications. This detector fills an unmet market need, providing spectrometer capabilities and extremely high sensitivity, at a cost comparable to stand-alone sensors. The PFAIMS is quantitative, and has detection limits down to the parts-per-trillion. The performance of the PFAIMS in a number of applications ranging from industrial to biomedical, where it is used as both a stand alone sensor, and as a gas chromatographic detector are demonstrated. These applications include the detection of xylene isomers and non-invasive medical diagnosis through breath analysis.
Dielectrophoretic Orientation, Manipulation and Separation of Live and Heat-Treated Cells of Listeria on Microfabricated Devices with Interdigitated Electrodes
Authors: Li Haibo , Bashir Rashid 
Published: February 2017

AbstractDielectrophoresis, the movement of particles in non-uniform AC electric field, was used to separate live and heat-treated Listeria innocua cells with great efficiency on micro-fabricated devices with interdigitated electrodes by utilizing the difference of dielectric properties between live and dead cells. Both live and dead cells are found to be only able to collect either at the centers of the electrodes in negative dielectrophoresis or at the electrode edges in positive dielectrophoresis. Cell viability was characterized by a rapid method using epifluorescence staining. The dependency of the applied AC signal's frequency on the dielectrophoresis of different cells, as well as the orientation of the cells on the electrodes in the dielectrophoresis, is also observed and discussed. This on-electrode manipulation and separation of cells can prove to be useful in micro-scale diagnostic applications in biochips.
Batch Fabrication of Nanopillars for Autonomous Nanofluidic SERS Arrays
Authors: Pio Michael S. , Kwon Sunghoon , Choi Yang-Kyu , Lee Luke P. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractWe have investigated a nanopillar-based surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) for future multiplexed nanofluidic SERS (nanoSERS) arrays. Without using e-beam or focus ion beam method, we have accomplished this simple and batch processed nanoSERS arrays on a chip, which is economical and mass producible. The polysilicon nanopillar structures are fabricated on top of a silicon wafer using optical lithography, reactive ion etching and passivation steps. High aspect ratio pillar-like nanostructures and spacing are controlled by the reactive ion etching gas and passivation steps. The heights of nanopillars ranged from 0.1μm to 0.3mm and their diameters ranged from 20 nm to 100 nm. A thin gold (10-20 nm) layer is evaporated on top of the nanopillar surfaces for further surface enhancements. The Raman shifts were measured for 10-3M of 4, 6-diamidino-2-phenylindole dihydrochloride dye in solution using a 500mWnear infrared laser (785 nm). A direct correlation between the density of nanopillars and the intensity of Raman enhancement is observed. The SERS spectra through thin PyrexTMglass and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) are characterized to find the optimized nanofluidic materials for an autonomous multiplexing biomolecular detection schemes.