Search results for "FUNCTIONAL"
showing 10 items of 4822 documents
Assessment of the Tricuspid Valve Morphology by Transthoracic Real-Time-3D-Echocardiography
2005
Aim: To demonstrate the feasibility of transthoracic three-dimensional real-time echocardiography (3D-TTE) supplemental to routine assessments of the tricuspid valve and to analyze interrater agreement. Methods: Twenty healthy subjects and 74 patients with right ventricular failure were examined with conventional 2D and additionally 3D-TTE (SONOS 7500, Philips, Netherlands). The 3D exams were performed and recorded by one of two raters. The recordings were evaluated offline and independently by both raters for visualization of morphological and functional features of the tricuspid valve according to a subjective 3-point scale. Statistical analyses were performed for interrater agreement and…
Improvement of phonemic fluency following leftward prism adaptation.
2021
AbstractAnatomo functional studies of prism adaptation (PA) have been shown to modulate a brain frontal-parieto-temporal network, increasing activation of this network in the hemisphere ipsilateral to the side of prism deviation. This effect raises the hypothesis that left prism adaptation, modulating frontal areas of the left hemisphere, could modify subjects’ performance on linguistic tasks that map on those areas. To test this hypothesis, 51 healthy subjects participated in experiments in which leftward or rightward prism adaptation were applied before the execution of a phonemic fluency task, i.e., a task with strict left hemispheric lateralization onto frontal areas. Results showed tha…
Effects of strength vs. endurance training and their combination on physical performance characteristics in female horseback riders
2020
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate effects of strength (S), endurance (E) and concurrent strength and endurance (SE) training on neuromuscular and cardiorespiratory characteristics during the 12-week volume-equated protocols in female horseback riders. METHODS: Subjects (N=44) (29.4±8.9 yrs) were assigned to S (n=11), E (n=11), SE (n=13) and control (C) (n=9) groups. Training consisted of progressive S, E or SE training 3x/week and riding exercise 4-6x/week. The measurements included maximal isometric bilateral leg press force (MVCLP) and EMG of VL and BF muscles, rapid isometric force production (0-500ms), maximal force of trunk extensor/flexors (MVCE/MVCF), countermo…
A New Systematic Classification of Peripheral Anatomy of the Right Hepatic Duct: Experience From Adult Live Liver Donor Transplantation
2008
Abstract Objective The peripheral intrahepatic biliary anatomy, especially at the sectorial level on the right side, has not been adequately described. The purpose of our study was to systematically describe this complex anatomy in clinically applicable fashion. Patients and Methods We analyzed three-dimensional computed tomography (CT) imaging reconstructions of 139 potential living liver donors evaluated at our institution between January 2003 and June 2007. Results Eighty-nine (64%) donors had a normal right bile duct sectorial anatomy. In the other 50/139 (36%) cases, we observed abnormal sectorial branching patterns, with 45/50 abnormalities as trifurcations, whereas the remaining ones…
Identification of organic hydroperoxides and hydroperoxy acids in secondary organic aerosol formed during the ozonolysis of different monoterpenes an…
2009
On-line ion trap mass spectrometry (ITMS) enables the real-time characterization of reaction products of secondary organic aerosol (SOA). The analysis was conducted by directly introducing the aerosol particles into the ion source. Positive-ion chemical ionization at atmospheric pressure (APCI(+)) ITMS was used for the characterization of constituents of biogenic SOA produced in reaction-chamber experiments. APCI in the positive-ion mode usually enables the detection of [M+H](+) ions of the individual SOA components. In this paper the identification of organic peroxides from biogenic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by on-line APCI-ITMS is presented. Organic peroxides containing a hydroper…
Assessment of Physical Fitness and Risk Factors for the Occurrence of the Frailty Syndrome among Social Welfare Homes’ Residents over 60 Years of Age…
2022
The study aimed at assessing physical fitness and occurrence of the frailty syndrome among social welfare homes’ residents as well as defining factors which determine the level of frailty and its occurrence. The examination included 198 residents (115 females and 83 males of average age 75.5 ± 10.21) and was carried out with the use of the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) test with the following cut-off points: 0–6—frail, 7–9—pre-frail, 10–12—non-frail. The research additionally collected data regarding age, gender, number of chronic diseases, education level, type of prior work and current physical activity. In addition, the height …
Association Between Free-Living Sit-to-Stand Transition Characteristics, and Lower-Extremity Performance, Fear of Falling, and Stair Negotiation Diff…
2022
Abstract Background Good sit-to-stand (STS) performance is an important factor in maintaining functional independence. This study investigated whether free-living STS transition volume and intensity, assessed by a thigh-worn accelerometer, is associated with characteristics related to functional independence. Methods Free-living thigh-worn accelerometry was recorded continuously for 3–7 days in a population-based sample of 75-, 80-, and 85-year-old community-dwelling people (479 participants; women n = 287, men n = 192). The records were used to evaluate the number and intensity (angular velocity of the STS phase) of STS transitions. Associations with short physical performance battery (SPP…
A Bio-Inspired Cognitive Agent for Autonomous Urban Vehicles Routing Optimization
2017
Autonomous urban vehicle prototypes are expected to be efficient even in not explicitly planned circumstances and dynamic environments. The development of autonomous vehicles for urban driving needs real-time information from vehicles and road network to optimize traffic flows. In traffic agent-based models, each vehicle is an agent, while the road network is the environment. Cognitive agents are able to reason on the perceived data, to evaluate the information obtained by reasoning, and to learn and respond, preserving their self-sufficiency, independency, self-determination, and self-reliance. In this paper, a bio-inspired cognitive agent for autonomous urban vehicles routing optimization…
Evaluation of Nanostructured Coatings for the Protection of Apuan Marble Stone
2019
Nowadays the use of multifunctional nanomaterials has significantly increased with interesting applications for the cultural heritage conservation sector, leading to the definition and use of products with innovative properties. Therefore, a preliminary validation of the performances and behavior over time of these treatments becomes an unavoidable key point for a correct use of these products before being applied to historical materials, in order to avoid irreparable damage over time. In this direction, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment with multifunctional nanostructured products on Apuan marble. The focus of the work was to test methods to accelerat…
Activation by mitogens and superantigens of axolotl lymphocytes: functional characterization and ontogenic study.
1996
Urodele amphibians have weak and slow immune responses compared to mammals and anuran amphibians. Using new culture conditions, we tested the ability of lymphocytes of a well-studied salamander, the Mexican axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) to proliferate in vitro with diverse mitogenic agents. We demonstrated that the axolotl has a population of B lymphocytes that proliferate specifically and with a high stimulation index to the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) known as a B-cell mitogen in mammals. This proliferative capacity is observed without significant changes throughout ontogenesis. In the presence of LPS, axolotl B lymphocytes are able to synthesize and secrete both isotopes of immunoglobulin d…