Search results for "variance"

Single-trial-based Temporal Principal Component Analysis on Extracting Event-related Potentials of Interest for an Individual Subject

2021

Abstract Temporal principal component analysis (t-PCA) has been widely used to extract event-related potentials (ERPs) at the group level of multiple subjects’ ERP data. The key assumption of group t-PCA analysis is that desired ERPs of all subjects share the same waveforms (i.e., temporal components), whereas waveforms of different subjects’ ERPs can be variant in phases, peak latencies and so on, to some extent. Additionally, several PCA-extracted components coming from the same ERP dataset failed to be statistically analysed simultaneously because their polarities and amplitudes were indeterminate. To fill these gaps, a novel technique was proposed and employed to extract desired ERP fro…

Reliability of a decision-tree model in predicting occupational lead poisoning in a group of highly exposed workers

2016

Objective This study aimed to provide the toxicological profile of some lead-exposed workers and obtain a predictive model for lead poisoning. Methods Data regarding external and absorbed exposure were collected from 585 subjects employed in ten metallurgical production departments. Airborne lead concentration, blood lead level (BLL), cumulative blood lead index (CBLI), urine delta-aminolevulinic acid (DALA), age, workplace/section, exposure period, and whether reported lead poisoning as occupational disease were examined using ANOVA, and, post-ANOVA, Pearson correlation matrix, PCA (principal component analysis), decision-tree modeling, and logistic modeling. Results BLL was less sensitive…

Fluoride ingestion and thyroid function in children resident of naturally fluoridated areas - An observational study

2019

Background Literature shows association between systemic fluorides with water fluoride level above 3ppm and endocrine disorders especially related to thyroid. Aim & Objectives: To estimate serum T3, T4, TSH, Fluoride levels among children with normal nutritional status and optimal iodine intake, residing in three different ranges of drinking water fluoride levels below 3ppm. Material and methods Present double blinded observational trial comprised of 293 children aged between 9-13 years consuming naturally fluoridated water of 3 different ranges: Group I: 0.01 - 0.6ppm, Group II: 0.7-1.2ppm and Group III: 1.3-1.8ppm. For each child demographic data, BMI and Clinical Fluorosis Index were rec…

On the anti-inflammatory and anti-phospholipase A2 activity of extracts from lanostane-rich species

2000

Abstract We have studied extracts from three species rich in lanostane triterpenes for their activity against different in vivo models of inflammation induced by TPA, EPP and PLA2. The inhibitory effect against PLA2 in vitro was also studied. When the Poria cocos extract was tested against PLA2-induced mouse paw edema, it was active by the oral and parenteral routes. Its effect was greater in both magnitude and duration than that of Pistacia terebinthus and Ganoderma lucidum extracts. P. terebinthus was effective against chronic and acute inflammation, and according to a preliminary chromatographic analysis, its seems to be a good source of lanostane anti-inflammatory agents. G. lucidum was…

Food consumption and nutrient intakes with a special focus on milk product consumption in early pubertal girls in Central Finland

2005

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the current status of dietary intakes in early pubertal girls with a special focus on milk products.DesignCross-sectional data using 3-day food records.SubjectsEight hundred and sixty girls, aged 10–12 years, at Tanner maturation stage I-III.ResultsThe mean consumption of milk products (620 g day−1) was similar to that of a Finnish study in the 1980s, while the consumption of non-milk drinks (403 gday−1) had increased. Twelve per cent of the girls had a dairy-restricted diet and consumed significantly less milk products than girls with a non-restricted diet (465 vs. 644 g day−1, P<0.001). Girls with low milk product consumption had the highest non-milk drinks…

2017

Many daily activities, such as tying one’s shoe laces, opening a jar of jam or performing a free throw in basketball, require the skillful coordinated use of both hands. Even though the non-invasive method of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been repeatedly shown to improve unimanual motor performance, little is known about its effects on bimanual motor performance. More knowledge about how tDCS may improve bimanual behavior would be relevant to motor recovery, e.g. in persons with bilateral impairment of hand function. We therefore examined the impact of high-definition anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-atDCS) on the performance of a bimanual sequential s…

A lower-limb training program to improve balance in healthy elderly women using the T-Bow® Device

2009

Ageing impairs balance, which increases the risk of falls. Fall-related injuries are a serious health problem associated with dependency and disability in the elderly and results in high costs to public health systems. This study aims to determine the effects of a training program to develop balance using a new device called the T-Bow (R). A total of 28 women > 65 years were randomly assigned to an experimental group (EG) (n = 18; 69.50 [0.99] years), or a control group (CG) (n = 10; 70.70 [2.18] years). A program for lower limbs was applied for 8 weeks using 5 exercises on the T-Bow (R): squat, lateral and frontal swings, lunges, and plantarflexions. The intensity of the exercises was cont…

A comparison of elastic tubing and isotonic resistance exercises.

2010

The aim of this study was to assess eff ects of a short-term resistance program on strength in fi t young women using weight machines / free weights or elastic tubing. 42 physically fi t women (21.79 ± 0.7 years) were randomly assigned to the following groups: (i) the Thera-Band ® Exercise Station Group (TBG); (ii) the weight machines / free weights group (MFWG); or (iii) the control group (CG). Each experimental group performed the same periodised training program that lasted for 8 weeks, with 2 – 4 sessions per week and 3 – 4 sets of 8 – 15 submaximal reps. A load cell (Isocontrol; ATEmicro, Madrid, Spain) was used to test the evolution of the Maximum Isometric Voluntary Contraction (MIVC…

Effects of a short-term resistance program using elastic bands versus weight machines for sedentary middle-aged women.

2008

This study was designed to determine whether different effects on functional capacity and body composition were produced by using different devices (elastic bands (EBs) versus weight machines (WMs)) with the same resistance training program. Forty-five healthy sedentary middle-aged women volunteers were chosen and randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups: 21 subjects trained using EBs (EBG), 14 in trained using WMs (WMG), and 10 were controls (CG). Both exercise groups trained with a periodized muscular endurance program twice a week for 10 weeks, with a total of 6 exercises per session for the major muscle groups. Exercise intensity was equalized by jointly monitoring the same targeted number of…

Anthropometric and physical characteristics allow differentiation of young female volleyball players according to playing position and level of exper…

2017

The aim of our study was to determine the differences in some anthropometric and physical performance variables of young Croatian female volleyball players (aged 13 to 15) in relation to playing position (i.e., independent variable) and performance level within each position (i.e., independent variable). Players were categorized according to playing position (i.e., role) as middle blockers (n=28), opposite hitters (n=41), passer-hitters (n=54), setters (n=30), and liberos (n=28). Within each position, players were divided into a more successful group and a less successful group according to team ranking in the latest regional championship and player quality within the team. Height and body …