bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An Eight-Week Thoracic Stabilization Exercise Program Improves Postural Back Pain and Spine Alignment of University Students with Back Pain
Authors: Çelenay Şeyda Toprak , Kaya Derya Özer 
Published: December 2014

Objectives: The study aimed to investigate effects of thoracic stabilization exercises on postural back pain, spinal alignment and inclination in university students who had postural back pain. Methods: University students who had minor to moderate postural back pain (18-25 years) were randomly allocated into Exercise (n = 28) and Control (n = 25) Groups. The programs were carried out 8 weeks and 3 days/week. The postural back pain intensity was assessed by Visual Analogue Scale. Spinal alignment and spinal inclination were evaluated with the Spinal Mouse® (Idiag, Fehraltorf, Switzerland). Assessments were applied before (BP) and after program (AP). Wilcoxon and Mann Whitney U tests were utilized. Results: The significant differences were observed for postural back pain (BP: 1.33 (1.16); AP: 0.33 (1.16)), thoracic curvature (BP: 44.50 (11.75); AP: 36.50 (13.25)), lumbar curvature (BP: -29.00 (10.00); AP: -7.00 (19.50)) and spinal inclination (BP: 5.00 (5.25); AP: 0.00 (4.00)) in Exercise Group between BP and AP (p<0.05). No significant differences were observed in Control group for all the parameters (p>0.05). The intergroup comparison showed that postural back pain, thoracic curvature, lumbar curvature and spinal inclination decreased in Exercise Group in comparison to Control Group (p<0.05). Conclusion: The exercise program with eight weeks regular practice was effective on improving postural back pain, spinal alignment and inclination in university students with postural back pain.
Scapular Winging
Authors: Çelenay Şeyda Toprak , Kaya Derya Özer 
Published: December 2014

Objectives: To investigate the effects of scapular muscle training with proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation techniques (PNF) on shoulder muscle strength, endurance and function in subjects with winging scapula. Methods: Forty subjects with bilateral winging scapula were randomly allocated into PNF Group (n=20, age:20.85±1.34 years), and Controls (n=20, age:20.77±1.77 years). PNF techniques in scapular diagonals were applied for scapular positioning and toning of the surrounding muscles for 3 days/week, 5 weeks. Shoulder muscle strength was evaluated diagonally with Biodex System 3 Pro isokinetic dynamometer (Biodex Medical Systems, Shirley, USA) at 60 and 180º/s. The scapular muscle endurance with Scapular Isometric Pinch Test, functional ability with Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire (DASH) was assessed. Paired and independent t tests were used for analysis. Results: For pre (1) and post (2) applications, significant improvement on 60º/s flexion peak torque/bodyweight (1:36.78±13.05; 2:61.22±29.75), 60º/s extension peak torque/bodyweight (1:65.35±23.27; 2:80.18±38.66), 180º/s flexion peak torque/bodyweight (1:40.69±15.32; 2:50.84±23.90) on dominant sides; scapular endurance (1:31.95±23.06; 2:51.15±31.08 sn) and DASH score (1:7.86±12.00; 2:5.25±9.28) were found in PNF group (p<0.05). However, no significant difference was observed for Controls (p>0.05). Scapular endurance, flexion and extension peak torque/bodyweight at 60º/s were different in favor of PNF group in intergroup comparisons (p<0.05). Conclusion: Scapular muscle training with PNF may be effective in improving scapular and shoulder muscle strength, endurance and function in subjects with winging scapula.
Health-Related Physical Fitness Profiles of Women who Attend Regular Activity Classes
Authors: Kaya Derya Özer , Çelenay Şeyda Toprak 
Published: December 2014

Objectives: The study aimed to investigate physical fitness profiles of women who attend activity classes of a regularly. Methods: Two hundred thirty one healthy women (age: 37.80±9.45years, weight: 75.46±13.72 kg, height: 1.62±0.05 m.) who regularly attended activity classes of a town sport center were participated. Body composition with bioelectrical impedance analysis (Bodystat 1500, Bodystat Ltd., England), cardio-respiratory fitness with UKK 2 km walk test, muscle strength of lower extremity with Biodex System 3 isokinetic dynamometer (Biodex Medical Systems, USA), hand grip with hand dynamometer (Chattanooga, TN, USA) and upper extremity endurance with push-ups test, trunk strength and endurance with back/leg/chest dynamometer (Baseline, USA) and static back extension, flexibility with sit and reach test were assessed. Results: Body mass index, fat mass, fat percentage, dry lean mass and waist hip ratio were as follows: 28.69±5.11 kg/cm2; 28.65±10.22 kg; 37.08±7.59; 12.74±2.47 kg; 0.83±0.06. They were overweight and fat percentage was over the border. One hundred forty eight participants completed the 2 km walk test. VO2 max according to the calculations of the test was found 132.63±17.80 which is slightly over the normal values. Lower extremity muscle strength at 60º/s for knee extension (123.43±45.02; 115.76±44.19 N/M) and flexion (70.68±27.49; 68.13±26.11 N/M) of right and left extremities were given respectively. Hand grip was 26.59±7.05 N on the dominant side. Push up scores were 19.09±6.24 rep/40 sec. Trunk strength 71.44±24.90 N, trunk endurance with static back extension was 45.14±29.36 sec. which is quite poor. Flexibility was 10.73±7.58 cm. Conclusion: Although the cardio respiratory functions of the participants who had tolerate the test were fine, body composition and musculoskeletal fitness results were found poor. Attention must be paid for the musculoskeletal fitness and weight control for these women.
Acute Effect of Thumb Spica Taping on Grip Strength and Endurance in Professionals Handball Player
Authors: Demirci Serdar , Kalaycıoğlu Tuğçe , Baltacı Gül 
Published: December 2014

Objectives: Thumb metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint injury is frequently seen due to dynamic character of handball game. Spica taping is generally applied to protect thumb during returning to sports activities following rehabilitation in handball player. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of spica taping on grip strength and grip endurance in professional handball players. Methods: Thirteen female handball players who was playing in Turkey Handball Federation Super League participated in the study. Mean age was 25.23±5.47 years, mean age of beginning to sports was 13.15±5.62 years, mean body mass index was (BMI) 22.38±2.74 kg/cm2. Hand grip strength and grip endurance in dominant side were evaluated before and after spica taping. “Jamar Hand Dynamometer” was used to assess hand grip strength. Grip endurance was measured in seconds during half of average grip strength sustaining for each players. All assessments were applied while sitting during shoulder adduction and neutral rotation with 90° elbow flexion, forearm midrotation, and neutral wrist position. Measurements were repeated 3 times and average values were recorded. Results: There was a statistically significant difference in grip strength between before and after spica taping application (p<0.001). There was a statistically difference in grip endurance between before and after spica taping application (p<0.001). Conclusion: Our results demonstrated that thumb spica taping is effective in improving grip strength and grip endurance in handball players. We suggest that supporting thumb stabilization without limiting hand functions might protect the MCP joint, and contribute injury prevention accompanying with improving sports performance. Consequently, thumb taping is recommended to handball players before competition.
Comparison of MRI Results of Grafts Obtained by Unilateral Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Either Using Anteromedial Portal Only or Transtibial Method with Contralateral Healthy Knee
Authors: Güler Olcay , Mahirogulları Mahir , Mutlu Serhat , Çerci Mehmet Halis , Şeker Ali , Çakmak Selami 
Published: December 2014

Objectives: Our aim is to compare graft angles and tibial tunnel insertion in patients undergone single bundle ligament reconstruction using anatomical anteromedial (AM) and transtibial (TT) method with the contralateral healthy knee by using MR imaging. And to investigate correlation of this evaluation with functional results. Methods: We investigated 96 knees of 48 patients undergone anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with AM or TT method. 23 of 48 patients were operated with AM method. These patients were named as Group A. 25 patients were operated with TT method and named as group B. MRI was taken for both knees in each group postoperatively at the mean 10.47 (9-15) and 11.72 (9-17) months, respectively. Angle between ACL graft and anatomical axis of tibia in coronal and sagittal plane, [Sagittal ACL graft angle (SAGA), Frontal ACL graft angle (FAGA)], middle insertion point on tibial articular surface, [ Sagittal ACL middle point (SGMP), Frontal ACL tibial tunnel middle point (FTMP), and Sagittal ACL tibial tunnel middle point(STMP)] was assessed by three orthopaedic surgeons. Values in both groups, inter observer, values between operated and healthy knees and differences between two groups were statistically evaluated. Functional scores between operated and healthy knees were evaluated with the Lysholm scoring system. Results: Inter observer results were statistically significant in group A between operated and healthy knees for 1st and 2nd observers in SAGA values and for 1st and 3rd, and 2nd and 3rd observers in FAGA values (p<0.05). In group B there was statistically significant difference in SAGA values for 1st and 2nd, and for 2nd and 3rd observers and in FTMP values for 1st and 3rd, and 2nd and 3rd observers (p<0.05). Statistically significant difference was detected between SAGA, FAGA and SGMP values of operated and healthy knees of A and B groups in all three observers’ evaluation (p<0.05). No statistically significant difference was detected between STMP values of operated knees and SGMP values of healthy knees in both groups (p>0.05). Statistically significant difference was detected between SAGA and FAGA values of operated knees in both groups (p<0.05). There was statistically significant difference in Lysholm scores between group A and B (p<0.05). Nonetheless there was no statistically significant difference between the Lysholm scores of operated knees in A and B groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: ACL reconstruction surgery with TT and AM methods do not provide anatomical reconstruction in Sagittal plane. Moreover, functional results were not as good as contralateral healthy knees. Although tibial tunnel was in anatomical position in both TT and AM methods, the posterior insertion of graft is thought to be the result of anterior placement of interference screw.
Homogenous ensemble phonotactic language recognition based on SVM supervector reconstruction
Authors: Liu Wei-Wei , Zhang Wei-Qiang , Johnson Michael T , Liu Jia 
Published: December 2014

Abstract
Currently, acoustic spoken language recognition (SLR) and phonotactic SLR systems are widely used language recognition systems. To achieve better performance, researchers combine multiple subsystems with the results often much better than a single SLR system. Phonotactic SLR subsystems may vary in the acoustic features vectors or include multiple language-specific phone recognizers and different acoustic models. These methods achieve good performance but usually compute at high computational cost. In this paper, a new diversification for phonotactic language recognition systems is proposed using vector space models by support vector machine (SVM) supervector reconstruction (SSR). In this architecture, the subsystems share the same feature extraction, decoding, and N-gram counting preprocessing steps, but model in a different vector space by using the SSR algorithm without significant additional computation. We term this a homogeneous ensemble phonotactic language recognition (HEPLR) system. The system integrates three different SVM supervector reconstruction algorithms, including relative SVM supervector reconstruction, functional SVM supervector reconstruction, and perturbing SVM supervector reconstruction. All of the algorithms are incorporated using a linear discriminant analysis-maximum mutual information (LDA-MMI) backend for improving language recognition evaluation (LRE) accuracy. Evaluated on the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) LRE 2009 task, the proposed HEPLR system achieves better performance than a baseline phone recognition-vector space modeling (PR-VSM) system with minimal extra computational cost. The performance of the HEPLR system yields 1.39%, 3.63%, and 14.79% equal error rate (EER), representing 6.06%, 10.15%, and 10.53% relative improvements over the baseline system, respectively, for the 30-, 10-, and 3-s test conditions.
Palmitate-Induced Impairments of β-Cell Function Are Linked With Generation of Specific Ceramide Species via Acylation of Sphingosine
Authors: Manukyan Levon , Ubhayasekera Sarojini J. K. A. , Bergquist Jonas , Sargsyan Ernest , Bergsten Peter 
Published: December 2014

Abstract
Prolonged exposure to palmitate impairs β-cell function and mass. One of the proposed mechanisms is alteration in ceramide (Cer) generation. In the present study, exposure to palmitate induced the level of palmitoyl transferase and Cer synthases, enzymes of the Cer de novo and salvage pathways, and doubled total Cer levels, which was associated with decreased insulin secretion and augmented apoptosis in MIN6 cells and human islets. By inhibiting enzymes of the pathways pharmacologically with myriocin (ISP-1) or fumonisin B1 or by small interfering RNA (siRNA), we showed that Cer(14:0), Cer(16:0), Cer(20:1), and Cer(24:0) species, generated by the salvage pathway, are linked to the harmful effect of palmitate on β-cells. Oleate attenuates negative effects of palmitate on β-cells. When oleate was included during culture of MIN6 cells with palmitate, the palmitate-induced up-regulation of the enzymes of the de novo and salvage pathways was prevented resulting in normalized levels of all Cer species except Cer(20:1). Our data suggest that enhanced Cer generation in response to elevated palmitate levels involves both de novo and salvage pathways. However, the negative effects of palmitate on β-cells are attributed to generation of Cer species Cer(14:0), Cer(16:0), and Cer(24:0) via acylation of sphingosine.
Is the southern South American genus Tweedia (Apocynaceae: Asclepiadoideae) monophyletic? Molecular phylogenies, distribution and taxonomy
Authors: Calviño Carolina I. , Fernandez Martina , Ezcurra Cecilia 
Published: December 2014

AbstractTweedia is a genus traditionally regarded as composed of seven species distributed on both sides of the Andes in southern South America. Recent molecular analyses of two of its species have shown that they are found in different lineages within the MOOG clade of Apocynaceae subfam. Asclepiadoideae, which questions its monophyly and generic affinities. Whereas Tweedia australis falls within the Diplolepis clade of MOOG, T. brunonis appears within tribe Oxypetalinae. This work provides a molecular phylogeny of all species of Tweedia including its type, T. birostrata, to test the monophyly of the group and assess its relationships with Diplolepis and other genera of the MOOG clade. Phylogenetic analyses of cpDNA trnT‐trnF and rps16 regions of 68 accessions of Apocynaceae using maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian inference methods show that Tweedia species form a well‐supported monophyletic group that is morphologically distinct, allied to Araujia and Philibertia of the Oxypetalinae. The study also supports the recent transfer of the former T. australis to Diplolepis as D. australis. Within Tweedia, two clades divided by the Andes can be recognized, one from the west (central Chile) and one from the east (western Argentina). The geographical and environmental characteristics of the genus and of these two groups are discussed in an evolutionary context.
Direct identification of Gram-positive bacteria and resistance determinants from blood cultures using a microarray-based nucleic acid assay: in-depth analysis of microarray data for undetermined results
Authors: Kim Seon Young , Hong Yun Ji , Hwang Sang Mee , Kim Taek Soo , Kim Jae-Seok , Park Kyoung Un , Song Junghan , Kim Eui-Chong 
Published: December 2014

AbstractThe Verigene Gram-Positive Blood Culture (BC-GP) nucleic acid assay (Nanosphere, Inc., Northbrook, IL, USA) is a newly developed microarray-based test with which 12 Gram-positive bacterial genes and three resistance determinants can be detected using blood culture broths. We evaluated the performance of this assay and investigated the signal characteristics of the microarray images.At the evaluation stage, we tested 80 blood cultures that were positive for various bacteria (68 bacteria covered and 12 not covered by the BC-GP panel) collected from the blood of 36 patients and 44 spiked samples. In instances where the automated system failed and errors were called, we manually inspected microarray images, measured the signal intensities of target spots, and reclassified the results.With the manual analysis of the microarray images of 14 samples for which error calls were reported, we could obtain correct identification results for 12 samples without the need for retesting, because strong signals in the target spots were clearly discriminable from background noise. With our interpretation strategy, we could obtain 97.1% sensitivity and 100% specificity for bacterial identification by using the BC-GP assay. The two unidentified bacteria were viridans group streptococci, which produced weaker target signals. During the application stage, among 25 consecutive samples positive for Gram-positive bacteria, we identified two specimens with error calls asWith help of the manual review of the microarray images, the BC-GP assay could successfully identify species and resistance markers for many clinically important Gram-positive bacteria.
Vision verbs dominate in conversation across cultures, but the ranking of non-visual verbs varies
Authors: San Roque Lila , Kendrick Kobin H. , Norcliffe Elisabeth , Brown Penelope , Defina Rebecca , Dingemanse Mark , Dirksmeyer Tyko , Enfield NJ , Floyd Simeon , Hammond Jeremy , Rossi Giovanni , Tufvesson Sylvia , van Putten Saskia , Majid Asifa 
Published: December 2014

AbstractTo what extent does perceptual language reflect universals of experience and cognition, and to what extent is it shaped by particular cultural preoccupations? This paper investigates the universality~relativity of perceptual language by examining the use of basic perception terms in spontaneous conversation across 13 diverse languages and cultures. We analyze the frequency of perception words to test two universalist hypotheses: that sight is always a dominant sense, and that the relative ranking of the senses will be the same across different cultures. We find that references to sight outstrip references to the other senses, suggesting a pan-human preoccupation with visual phenomena. However, the relative frequency of the other senses was found to vary cross-linguistically. Cultural relativity was conspicuous as exemplified by the high ranking of smell in Semai, an Aslian language. Together these results suggest a place for both universal constraints and cultural shaping of the language of perception.
Formal pseudodifferential operators and Witten’s r-spin numbers
Authors: Liu Kefeng , Vakil Ravi , Xu Hao 
Published: December 2014

Abstract
We derive an effective recursion for Witten’s
r-spin intersection numbers, using Witten’s
conjecture relating r-spin numbers to the Gel’fand–Dikii
hierarchy.
Consequences include
closed-form descriptions of the intersection numbers
(for example, in
terms of gamma functions).
We use these closed-form descriptions
to prove Harer–Zagier’s
formula for the Euler characteristic of

ℳ

g
,
1

{\mathcal{M}_{g,1}}

.
Finally, we extend Witten’s series expansion formula for the Landau–Ginzburg
potential to study r-spin numbers in the small phase space in
genus zero.
Our key tool is the calculus of formal pseudodifferential
operators, and is partially motivated by work of Brézin
and Hikami.
Integrating nanoscience and technology in the high school science classroom
Authors: Huffman Douglas , Ristvey John , Tweed Anne , Palmer Elisabeth 
Published: December 2014

AbstractIn the National Science Foundation funded NanoTeach development project, high school teachers participated in a year-long professional development experience where they learned about emerging nanoscale science and technology (NS&T) content and research-based instructional strategies to support effective classroom lesson design and implementation. Program participants from four states were assigned either to the fully facilitated model or to the team study approach. Case studies were prepared for four participants from the Louisiana site, two from the fully facilitated NanoTeach model group and two from the team study NanoTeach group. Data for the case studies included in this article include qualitative and quantitative data regarding the changes in teachers’ NS&T knowledge and their ability to teach the content using the effective strategies included in the professional development sessions and resource materials. The case studies provide new insights into the ways teachers’ integrated NS&T in the high school curriculum.
Asymptotic behavior of the Bernoulli type Galton–Watson branching process with immigration
Authors: Uchimura Yoshinori , Saitô Kimiaki 
Published: December 2014

Abstract
In this paper, we present a random variable to which the Bernoulli type Galton–Watson branching process with immigration converges in law.
This convergence is based on the limiting distribution of the process given in [Commun. Stoch. Anal. 5 (2011), no. 3, 457–480].
We also give another proof of the result in [Commun. Stoch. Anal. 5 (2011), no. 3, 457–480] in this paper.
Microstructure and erosion characteristics of Ni-AlN thin films prepared by electrodeposition
Authors: Li Wei , Zhu Yongyong , Xia Fafeng 
Published: December 2014

Abstract
Ni-AlN thin films were successfully fabricated via direct-current (DC), pulse-current (PC), and ultrasonic-assisted pulse-current (UAPC) deposition. The microstructure, microhardness, and erosion characteristics of the Ni-AlN thin films were determined with the use of scanning probe microscopy (SPM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Vickers hardness test, electrochemical station, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). SPM results revealed that the Ni-AlN thin films synthesized by UAPC deposition have a compact and fine morphology with average grain diameters of the Ni and AlN particles of approximately 97.7 and 40.2 nm, respectively. Based on the XRD results, the Ni-AlN thin films consist of Ni and AlN phases. The Ni-AlN thin films prepared by DC, PC, and UAPC deposition at 4.5 A/dm2 current density exhibited an optimum microhardness value of 904, 943, and 987 HV, respectively. Based on the erosion test results, the films prepared by UAPC deposition possesses the best corrosion resistance among the prepared thin films. The corrosion potentials of the DC-, PC-, and UAPC-deposited films were -0.552, -0.473, and -0.446 V vs. SCE, respectively.