bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Officiating Role Influences the Physical Match Activity Profiles of Rugby League Touch Judges and Referees
Authors: Pearce Leesa , Woods Carl , Sinclair Wade , Leicht Anthony 
Published: August 2017

Abstract
This study investigated the effect of the officiating role on physical activity profiles of rugby league match officials during match-play. Physical performance indicators were collated from 23 match officials, resulting in 78 observations. Match officials were categorised into two groups: referees and touch judges. Microtechnology facilitated the quantification of total distance (m), relative distance (m⋅min-1), maximum velocity (m⋅s-1), the percentage of high intensity running distance (% total > 3.01 m⋅s-1), walking distance (<1 m⋅s-1), jogging distance (1.01 – 3 m⋅s-1), fast jogging distance (3.01 - 5 m⋅s-1), and sprinting distance (>5 m⋅s-1). Multivariate analysis modelled the main effect of the officiating role with follow up univariate analyses identifying significant differences. A significant effect was noted (V = 750; F(8, 66) = 24.71; p < 0.05) with referees covering a greater total distance (7767 ± 585 vs. 7022 ± 759 m), relative distance (90 ± 6 vs. 82 ± 8 m⋅min-1), jogging distance (3772 ± 752 vs. 3110 ± 553 m), and fast jogging distance (2565 ± 631 vs. 1816 ± 440 m) compared to touch judges. Touch judges covered greater distances while sprinting (1012 ± 385 vs. 654 ± 241 m). Results provide important guidance in the development of training programs for match officials.
Balance Training Programs in Athletes – A Systematic Review
Authors: Brachman Anna , Kamieniarz Anna , Michalska Justyna , Pawłowski Michał , Słomka Kajetan J. , Juras Grzegorz 
Published: August 2017

Abstract
It has become almost routine practice to incorporate balance exercises into training programs for athletes from different sports. However, the type of training that is most efficient remains unclear, as well as the frequency, intensity and duration of the exercise that would be most beneficial have not yet been determined. The following review is based on papers that were found through computerized searches of PubMed and SportDiscus from 2000 to 2016. Articles related to balance training, testing, and injury prevention in young healthy athletes were considered. Based on a Boolean search strategy the independent researchers performed a literature review. A total of 2395 articles were evaluated, yet only 50 studies met the inclusion criteria. In most of the reviewed articles, balance training has proven to be an effective tool for the improvement of postural control. It is difficult to establish one model of training that would be appropriate for each sport discipline, including its characteristics and demands. The main aim of this review was to identify a training protocol based on most commonly used interventions that led to improvements in balance. Our choice was specifically established on the assessment of the effects of balance training on postural control and injury prevention as well as balance training methods. The analyses including papers in which training protocols demonstrated positive effects on balance performance suggest that an efficient training protocol should last for 8 weeks, with a frequency of two training sessions per week, and a single training session of 45 min. This standard was established based on 36 reviewed studies.
High-Speed 120 Gbps AMI-WDM-PDM Free Space Optical Transmission System
Authors: Upadhyay Kamal Kishore , Srivastava Saumya , Shukla N. K , Chaudhary Sushank 
Published: August 2017

Abstract
Free space optical (FSO) communication systems are gaining high popularity from the last decade due to its various advantages such as no license spectrum, low-cost implementation etc. In this work, 160 Gbps data is transmitted over 8 km FSO link by adopting alternate mark inversion (AMI), wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) and polarization division multiplexing (PDM) schemes. The results are reported in terms of Q factor, bit error rate, signal to noise ratio, total received power and eye diagrams.
Initial patient choice of a growth hormone device improves child and adolescent adherence to and therapeutic effects of growth hormone replacement therapy
Authors: Gau Maki , Takasawa Kei 
Published: August 2017

AbstractBackground:It is thought that growth hormone (GH) therapy success depends on the patient’s adherence to their treatment regimen, but an optimal approach to improve adherence has not yet been established.Methods:To evaluate the effect of patient choice of a GH device on adherence to GH therapy, we carried out a retrospective longitudinal study of 46 GH deficient patients (24 boys, mean age of commencing GH therapy: 7.70±3.12 years) treated with recombinant GH therapy for 3 years, either with or without patient choice (n=28, 18, respectively).Results:The group comparison study for adherence, which evaluated the frequency of missed injections based on self-report, revealed that patient choice reduced the proportion of patients with low adherence 3 years after commencing GH therapy (33.3%–7.1%, p=0.042). Furthermore, this longitudinal study revealed that the patients with choice yielded significantly greater height standard deviation scores (SDS) (ΔHt SDS: 1.34±0.44 vs. 0.92±0.57, p=0.020) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) SDS (ΔIGF-1 SDS: 2.49±0.75 vs. 1.89±1.13, p=0.038) than those without choice.Conclusions:These results indicate that patient choice might improve adherence to GH therapy, which improves the therapeutic effects of GH therapy.
Transition from Legacy to Connectivity Solution for Infrastructure Control of Smart Municipal Systems
Authors: Zabasta A. , Kunicina N. , Kondratjevs K. 
Published: August 2017

Abstract
Collaboration between heterogeneous systems and architectures is not an easy problem in the automation domain. By now, utilities and suppliers encounter real problems due to underestimated costs of technical solutions, frustration in selecting technical solutions relevant for local needs, and incompatibilities between a plenty of protocols and appropriate solutions. The paper presents research on creation of architecture of smart municipal systems in a local cloud of services that apply SOA and IoT approaches. The authors of the paper have developed a broker that applies orchestration services and resides on a gateway, which provides adapter and protocol translation functions, as well as applies a tool for wiring together hardware devices, APIs and online services.
Control of the Development of Swirling Airflow Dynamics and Its Impact on Biomass Combustion Characteristics
Authors: Barmina I. , Valdmanis R. , Zaķe M. 
Published: August 2017

Abstract
The development of the swirling flame flow field and gasification/ combustion dynamics at thermo-chemical conversion of biomass pellets has experimentally been studied using a pilot device, which combines a biomass gasifier and combustor by varying the inlet conditions of the fuel-air mixture into the combustor. Experimental modelling of the formation of the cold nonreacting swirling airflow field above the inlet nozzle of the combustor and the upstream flow formation below the inlet nozzle has been carried out to assess the influence of the inlet nozzle diameter, as well primary and secondary air supply rates on the upstream flow formation and air swirl intensity, which is highly responsible for the formation of fuel-air mixture entering the combustor and the development of combustion dynamics downstream of the combustor. The research results demonstrate that at equal primary axial and secondary swirling air supply into the device a decrease in the inlet nozzle diameter enhances the upstream air swirl formation by increasing swirl intensity below the inlet nozzle of the combustor. This leads to the enhanced mixing of the combustible volatiles with the air swirl below the inlet nozzle of the combustor providing a more complete combustion of volatiles and an increase in the heat output of the device.
Model for studying anti- allergic drugs for allergic conjunctivitis in animals
Authors: Nakazawa Yosuke , Oka Mikako , Takehana Makoto 
Published: August 2017

Abstract
Allergic conjunctivitis (AC), which is characterized by ocular itching, hyperemia, and edema, deteriorates quality of life. In this study, effects of anti-allergic drugs were evaluated by assessing eye-scratching behavior, the number of eosinophils in conjunctiva epithelial tissues, and concentrations of chemical mediators in the tears of the guinea pig model of ovalbumin (OA)-induced AC.

Methodology
On day 0, 3-week-old guinea pigs were sensitized by OA subconjunctival injections. On days 15, 17, and 19, OA solution was administered. Anti-allergic eye drops were administered 5 and 15 min before the final OA challenge on day 19. Scratching behavior within 1 h after OA exposure was studied. Eosinophils in the conjunctiva were stained with Giemsa reagent. Histamine and substance P (SP) concentrations in tears were measured using ELISA.

Results
Subconjunctivally injected guinea pigs were observed for clinical symptoms. Scratching responses significantly reduced with ketotifen or olopatadine treatment. Eosinophil numbers reduced in animals treated with ketotifen, levocabastine, or tranilast. Histamine and/or SP concentrations in tears were inhibited by some of these anti-allergic drugs.

Conclusions
It is important to assess the anti-allergic AC drugs objectively because there are several of these drugs currently available. This model allows for an objective evaluation of anti-allergic drugs for AC.
Stability Analysis of Radial Turning Process for Superalloys
Authors: Jiménez Alberto , Boto Fernando , Irigoien Itziar , Sierra Basilio , Suarez Alfredo 
Published: August 2017

Abstract
Stability detection in machining processes is an essential component for the design of efficient machining processes. Automatic methods are able to determine when instability is happening and prevent possible machine failures. In this work a variety of methods are proposed for detecting stability anomalies based on the measured forces in the radial turning process of superalloys. Two different methods are proposed to determine instabilities. Each one is tested on real data obtained in the machining of Waspalloy, Haynes 282 and Inconel 718. Experimental data, in both Conventional and High Pressure Coolant (HPC) environments, are set in four different states depending on materials grain size and Hardness (LGA, LGS, SGA and SGS). Results reveal that PCA method is useful for visualization of the process and detection of anomalies in online processes.
Bottom to Top Approach for Railway KPI Generation
Authors: Villarejo Roberto , Johansson Carl-Anders , Leturiondo Urko , Simon Victor , Seneviratne Dammika , Galar Diego 
Published: August 2017

Abstract
Railway maintenance especially on infrastructure produces a vast amount of data. However, having data is not synonymous with having information; rather, data must be processed to extract information. In railway maintenance, the development of key performance indicators (KPIs) linked to punctuality or capacity can help planned and scheduled maintenance, thus aligning the maintenance department with corporate objectives. There is a need for an improved method to analyse railway data to find the relevant KPIs. The system should support maintainers, answering such questions as what maintenance should be done, where and when. The system should equip the user with the knowledge of the infrastructure’s condition and configuration, and the traffic situation so maintenance resources can be targeted to only those areas needing work. The amount of information is vast, so it must be hierarchized and aggregated; users must filter out the useless indicators. Data are fused by compiling several individual indicators into a single index; the resulting composite indicators measure multidimensional concepts which cannot be captured by a single index. The paper describes a method of monitoring a complex entity. In this scenario, a plurality of use indices and weighting values are used to create a composite and aggregated use index from a combination of lower level use indices and weighting values. The resulting composite and aggregated indicators can be a decision-making tool for asset managers at different hierarchical levels.
Ergonomics Contribution in Maintainability
Authors: Teymourian Kiumars , Seneviratne Dammika , Galar Diego 
Published: August 2017

Abstract
The objective of this paper is to describe an ergonomics contribution in maintainability. The economical designs, inputs and training helps to increase the maintainability indicators for industrial devices. This analysis can be helpful, among other cases, to compare systems, to achieve a better design regarding maintainability requirements, to improve this maintainability under specific industrial environment and to foresee maintainability problems due to eventual changes in a device operation conditions. With this purpose, this work first introduces the notion of ergonomics and human factors, maintainability and the implementation of assessment of human postures, including some important postures to perform maintenance activities. A simulation approach is used to identify the critical posture of the maintenance personnel and implements the defined postures with minimal loads on the personnel who use the equipment in a practical scenario. The simulation inputs are given to the designers to improve the workplace/equipment in order to high level of maintainability. Finally, the work concludes summarizing the more significant aspects and suggesting future research.
Transient expression of green fluorescent protein in parasitic dodder as a tool for studying of cytoskeleton
Authors: Kaštier Peter , Martinčová Michaela , Fiala Roderik , Blehová Alžbeta 
Published: August 2017

AbstractDodder (Cuscuta) species cause severe agricultural damage in many countries throughout the world. To establish strategies for control of its growth and spreading it is important to study its life cycle and survival strategies. For these efforts genetic modification would represent a powerful tool. Here we report on Agrobacteriummediated transformation of dodder using green fluorescent protein (GFP) fused to actin-binding protein as a vital marker. Since the shoot of germinating C. europaea contains a functional apical meristem and grows quickly comparing to the root-like structure, the shoot apex was used here as explant. The transgene expression was only transient, nevertheless it enabled to detect allocation of actin filaments and studying the cytoskeleton organization in dodder shoot apex. Transient expression of GFP appears to be a suitable method for studying Cuscuta development through cytoskeleton organisation that is presently largely unexplored.
Partial migration and decreasing migration distance in the Hungarian population of the Common Blackbird (Turdus merula Linnaeus, 1758): Analysis of 85 years of ring recovery data
Authors: Németh Zoltán 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe Common Blackbird is a partial migrant throughout much of its range in Europe. That is, part of its breeding population migrates while the rest stays at the breeding ground for winter. Given the rapidly changing global climate, it is important to understand how migratory birds, including partial migrants, respond to shifting climatic conditions. In this study, I analyzed 85 years of ring recovery data of the Hungarian population of the Blackbird, ringed during the breeding season and recovered during migration or winter, with two objectives in mind: (1) to assess whether the Hungarian Blackbird population is also partially migratory, and (2) to test the prediction that Blackbirds have exhibited decreasing migration distances over the past decades as expected based on warming winter temperatures. Hungarian Blackbirds expressed both migratory and resident strategies, thus can be considered as partial migrants. Furthermore, Blackbirds had been recovered increasingly closer (-5.9 km/year) to their breeding grounds in the past decades. Age and sex had no effects on recovery distance. Provided that this trend continues, the adaptive benefits of migratory behavior may eventually be reduced to a level that selection will not maintain it in the population and the Hungarian population becomes entirely sedentary. Surprisingly, 88% of migrant recoveries were the result of shooting or hunting activities in Mediterranean countries, primarily in Italy, highlighting both the need to understand the effects of hunting pressure on migratory behavior at the population level in songbirds and the urgency to ban the killing of migratory birds in European countries.
Evaluating the Accuracy of Determining Coordinates of a Corner of a Building Measured in the RTN GNSS Mode, Having Applied the Innovative Algorithm of Vector Translation
Authors: Krzyżek Robert 
Published: August 2017

Abstract
The study evaluates the accuracy of determining coordinates of a corner of a building measured in the RTN GNSS mode (Real Time Network Global Navigation Satellite System) using the method of line-line intersection and having applied the algorithm of vector translation, developed by the author. The performed analysis of accuracy proved a high precision in determining the points subjected to studies. An important factor in the formation of a mean error regarding the position of the corner of a building, having used the algorithm of vector translation, is the assumption of correctness of the reference points, i.e. the so-called base points, determined in the RTN GNSS mode. In this case, the base points take the role of measurement control points. The mean error of the position of the corner of a building, taking into account the innovative solution, is at the level of several centimeters. The study results presented in the article allow to positively evaluate the algorithm of vector translation in terms of accuracy of determining the position of a corner of a building, measured in real time.
Remote Sensing to Estimate Saturation Differences of Chosen Building Materials Using Terrestrial Laser Scanner
Authors: Suchocki Czesław , Katzer Jacek , Panuś Arkadiusz 
Published: August 2017

Abstract
Terrestrial Laser Scanner (TLS) method which is commonly used for geodetic applications has a great potential to be successfully harnessed for multiple civil engineering applications. One of the most promising uses of TLS in construction industry is remote sensing of saturation of building materials. A research programme was prepared in order to prove that harnessing TLS for such an application is viable. Results presented in the current paper are a part of a much larger research programme focused on harnessing TLS for remote sensing of saturation of building materials. The paper describes results of the tests conducted with an impulse scanner Leica C-10. Tests took place both indoors (in a stable lab conditions) and outdoors (in a real environment). There were scanned specimens of the most popular building materials in Europe. Tested specimens were dried and saturated (including capillary rising moisture). One of the tests was performed over a period of 95 hours. Basically, a concrete specimen was scanned during its setting and hardening. It was proven that absorption of a laser signal is influenced by setting and hardening of concrete. Outdoor tests were based on scanning real buildings with partially saturated facades. The saturation assessment was based on differences of values of intensity. The concept proved to be feasible and technically realistic.
Primary neuroendocrine small cell carcinoma in larynx: case report and literature review
Authors: Evsei Anca , Iosif Cristina , Enache Simona , Manea Claudiu , Sarafoleanu Codrut 
Published: August 2017

Abstract
Background. Neuroendocrine tumors of the larynx represent a rare group of neoplasms characterized by pathological and biological heterogeneity. The histological and immunohistochemical diagnosis is the most important step in the appropriate management of these tumors and the prognosis varies according to histological types. Conventional anatomical and functional imaging can be complementary for diagnosis, staging and monitoring of treatment response. Material and methods. Here we report on a case of a laryngeal neuroendocrine small cell carcinoma occurring in a 67-year-old man who was referred to our clinic for clinical reevaluation, diagnosis and treatment. The clinical presentation, the histopathological and immunohistochemical examination and management of this kind of tumor are highlighted. Conclusion. Small cell neuroendocrine carcinomas are very aggressive neoplasms. Patients could benefit from surgery, but radiotherapy and chemotherapy remain the treatment of choice. Very low incidence of neuroendocrine tumors in the larynx and specifically very poor prognosis of neuroendocrine small cell carcinoma encouraged an extensive literature review.
Stereological Evaluation of the Brains in Patients with Parkinson’s disease Compared to Controls
Authors: Heidari Zahra , Moghtaderi Ali , Mahmoudzadeh-Sagheb Hamidreza , Gorgich Enam Alhagh Charkhat 
Published: August 2017

Abstract
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a chronic and progressive neurological disorder. A tetrad of bradykinesia, rigidity, tremor and postural instability are the core features of the disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate stereological changes in the brain of patients with PD and compare them with that of healthy controls. This case-control study was conducted on 29 patients with PD and 12 controls (C) in Zahedan, Iran. All subjects enrolled into the study through the convenience sampling method. MRI images of the brains of two groups in frontal and sagittal axis with consecutive 5mm distance slices were captured. Parameters including total volume (V) and volume density (Vv) of different parts of the brain were estimated based on Cavalries’ point counting stereological method. To analyze the data, descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney U-Test applied for comparing the PD and C groups were used. Significance level was set at p<0.05. Our study showed that the volume of the brain and total volume and volume density (Vv) of cerebral hemispheres, cerebellum, ventricles, hippocampus, pons, mid brain and superior cerebellar peduncles in the PD group did not indicate significant difference from the control group. Total volume of brain stem in PD group wasn’t significantly different from the control group. The volume density of brain stem (p= 0.012) and total volume and volume density of middle cerebellar peduncle (p< 0.0001) in PD group were significantly larger than the control group. This study shows that PD stereological parameters related to volume and volume density of middle cerebellar peduncle and volume density of brain stem were significantly larger in patients compared to the controls. Therefore, stereological parameters can be used for early diagnosis and probably for follow-up in patients with PD.