Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
23 Electrical Stimulation of Primary Motor Cortex for Parkinson ' s Syndrome

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of several nuclei at the basal ganglia, mainly globus pallidus interna (GPi), and subthalamic nucleus (STN) is highly effective in controlling motor symptoms in patients with advanced Parkinson’s disease (PD) (Krack et al., 1998; Limousin et al., 1998) However, several complications have been published by different groups with a large experience in DBS (Lyons et al., 2004; Umemura et al., 2003), and patients with poor response to levodopa or those with cognitive impairment, advanced age, considerable brain atrophy, cerebral ischemic foci in the white matter or Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) part III < 30 to 40 in the off condition are considered unsuitable patients for DBS, because of the increased surgical risk (Lopiano et al., 2002; Pahwa et al., 2005). On the other hand, STN DBS may improve axial symptoms at the beginning, but results are less rewarding at long-term follow-up (Bejjani et al., 2000; Kleiner-Fisman et al., 2003). At the early of the 1990s, Tsubokawa introduced electrical motor cortex stimulation (EMCS) for the relief of central pain (Tsubokawa et al., 1991a, b). Its use has been extended to peripheral neuropathic pain conditions, and very recently to patients with movement disorders. EMCS might represent an alternative in patients who would not fulfill all DBS inclusion criteria. There has been some evidence that EMCS may relieve motor symptoms of patients with PD (Canavero et al., 2002; Pagni et al., 2005). However, there have also been a number of contradictory reports regarding the efficacy of EMCS in patients with PD. A number of reasons could account for the apparent discrepancies among different studies which may include different selection criteria, different surgical (i.e. extradural vs. subdural electrode) or methodological (i.e. stimulation frequencies) approaches, and importantly, different way of motor performance assessments. This report attempts to summarize current evidence on these topics.
Assessment of Asthma Control and Severity among Children According to Global Initiative for Asthma Guidelines in Sulaimani City-Iraq

Background: Asthma is a common and potentially serious chronic disease that imposes a substantial burden on patients, their families and the community. Objective: Assessment of the level of asthma control and severity in asthmatic children in Sulaimani city according to the global initiative for asthma (GINA) guidelines. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 82 patients who are known cases of asthma, aged 5 – 15 years , from 1st of March 2014 to 1st of August 2014. Results: Out of 82 patients in our study, 20.8%were classified as having intermittent asthma all of them have well controlled asthma, 42.7% of those classified as having mild persistent asthma 65.7% of them have well controlled asthma, 26.8% of those classified as having moderate persistent asthma 54.5% of them have partly controlled asthma, and 9.8%of those classified as having severe persistent asthma the majority of them 87.5% have uncontrolled asthma and none of them reached to the controlled asthma level according to GINA guidelines. Regarding the peak expiratory flow (PFT) we notice that 58.8% of asthmatic children who were classified as having intermittent severity, their PEF measurements ranged between 160- 250 l/min while those with severe persistent asthma 75% of them have readings between 50-150 l/min. Conclusion: Current levels of asthma control in the Sulaimani city fall far short of the goals specified in the GINA guidelines for asthma management. Also there is a strong correlation between PEF measurements and the level of asthma severity,
Kinetics of potassium release in sweet potato cropped soils: a case study in the highlands of Papua New Guinea

Abstract. The present study attempts to employ potassium (K) release parameters to identify soil-quality degradation due to changed land use patterns in sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam) farms of the highlands of Papua New Guinea. Rapid population increase in the region increased pressure on the land to intensify subsistence production mainly by reducing fallow periods. Such continuous cropping practice coupled with lack of K fertilization practices could lead to a rapid loss of soil fertility and soil-resource degradation. The study aims to evaluate the effects of crop intensification on the K-release pattern and identify soil groups vulnerable to K depletion. Soils with widely differing exchangeable and non-exchangeable K contents were sequentially extracted for periods between 1 and 569 h in 0.01 M CaCl2, and K-release data were fitted to four mathematical models: first order, power, parabolic diffusion and Elovich equations. Results showed two distinct parts in the K-release curves, and 58–80% of total K was released to solution phase within 76 h (first five extractions) with 20–42% K released in the later parts (after 76 h). Soils from older farms that were subjected to intensive and prolonged land use showed significantly (P
Cleaved Caspase-3 Response to Acute Resistance Exercise in Young and Old Men and Women : Relationship to Muscle Glycogen Content and 5'-AMP-Activated Protein Kinase (AMPK) Activity

In addition to suppressing protein synthesis and activating protein degradation in skeletal muscle and other cell types 5'-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is known to stimulate nuclear apoptosis in non-muscle cells through cleaved (activated) caspase-3 one of the final steps in the apoptosis cascade. Although it is unknown whether AMPK stimulates caspase-3 cleavage or nuclear apoptosis in skeletal muscle cells in vivo AMPK activity and nuclear apoptosis are elevated at rest in aged rat skeletal muscle. AMPK phosphorylation and activity are also higher in old vs. young rats and humans in response to overload or resistance exercise. Furthermore older individuals display lower muscle glycogen content a condition known to accentuate AMPK activity at rest and during aerobic exercise. We hypothesized that skeletal muscle cleaved caspase-3 content would be higher after acute resistance exercise in older versus younger individuals. Seven young (21.7 Â± 2.1 yrs) and 11 old (67.0 Â± 8.6 yrs) subjects performed an acute bout of leg extension resistance exercise. Muscle biopsies were obtained pre-exercise (PRE) immediately post-exercise (0P) 1-hour post-exercise (1P) and 2-hours post-exercise (2P). Glycogen content was measured in muscle samples as were the phosphorylations (via western blot) of AMPK and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC; a marker of AMPK activity). Procaspase-3 and cleaved (activated) caspase-3 contents were also assessed via western blot. AMPK phosphorylation was significantly (p < 0.05) increased in old but not young subjects immediately post-exercise. In both age groups AMPK activity (assessed by ACC phosphorylation) was elevated vs. PRE at the 0P and 1P time points and cleaved caspase-3 content was elevated vs. PRE at the 0P 1P and 2P time points. However there was no effect of exercise on procaspase-3 content in either age group and no differences between age groups in AMPK activity procaspase-3 content or cleaved caspase-3 content at any time point. There were significant or close to significant relationships between glycogen content and AMPK activity at time points PRE 0P and 1P regardless of age. However no significant correlations between AMPK activity and cleaved caspase-3 content were observed at any time point. In summary these data indicate that cleaved caspase-3 (e.g. caspase-3 activity) increases in response to acute resistance exercise in both young and old subjects. However exercise-induced AMPK activation may not be the mechanism by which this occurs.
Changes in the transcriptome and metabolome during the initiation of growth cessation in hybrid aspens

At 9 550 years of age, Old Rasmus, a Norway spruce (Picea abies), located in the Dalarna province in Sweden is recognized as the oldest surviving tree in the world. Old Rasmus exemplifies a robust capacity to survive in changing conditions, making trees a unique and fascinating subject for study. For perennial trees located in high latitudes one of the most important survival mechanisms is to be able to predict the coming winter and to halt growth in time. Poplars (Populus sp.) use mainly two environmental signals, temperature and light (day length), to predict the coming winter. However, of these two signals day length predominates. Towards the end of summer when the days shorten the trees recognize a critical day length and thereafter start the processes to halt growth and prepare for the impending winter. This thesis focuses on the early gene expression and metabolic responses exhibited in hybrid aspen (Populus tremula L. x tremuloides) induced by a shorter day length below the critical day length. In our effort to identify and describe these responses we used high throughput technologies such as microarray and GC-MS to generate data. We show that similar responses exists in hybrid aspen as in Arabidopsis, with initial responses in carbohydrate and secondary metabolism pathways and circadian clock associated genes. Our results provide evidence that the hormone Gibberellin (GA) is linked with the photoperiodic regulation pathway by affecting PHYTOCHROME A (PHYA) expression and thereby the levels of transcripts that act downstream of PHYA. We also suggest that in Populus the protein GIGANTEA1 (GI1) might be able to influencing growth cessation process by regulating the expression of FLOWERING LOCUS T2 (FT2) independently of CONSTANS2 (CO2).
A probabilistic study of the return of stratospheric ozone to 1960 levels

Anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases and ozone‐depleting substances are expected to continue to affect concentrations of ozone in the stratosphere through the 21st century. While a range of estimates for when stratospheric ozone is expected to return to unperturbed levels is available in the literature, quantification of the spread in results is sparse. Here we present the first probabilistic study of latitudinally resolved years of return of stratospheric ozone to 1960 levels. Results from our 180‐member ensemble, simulated with a newly developed simple climate model, suggest that the spread in return years of ozone is largest around 40°N/S and in the southern high latitudes and decreases with increasing greenhouse gas emissions. The spread in projections of ozone is larger for higher greenhouse gas scenarios and is larger in the polar regions than in the midlatitudes, while the spread in ozone radiative forcing is smallest in the polar regions.
Position and Movement of Centre of Force During Propulsion of 3 Different one Arm Drive Wheelchairs by Hemiplegic Users

Purpose: This pilot study used a CONFORmat® Pressure mat to measure the position and movement of the centre of force measured at the buttock/seat interface of users whilst seated in three different one arm drive wheelchairs during propulsion. The manual wheelchairs included were: a dual handrim, a lever drive and a Neater Uni-wheelchair. Methods: 15 hemiplegic user’s propelled each wheelchair around an indoor course during which the centre of force was continuously recorded. Position and movements of the centre of force in the anteroposterior and mediolateral directions were recorded. The time taken to complete the circuit was also recorded. Standard deviations and 95% confidence intervals for each participant in each wheelchair were calculated to determine statistically significant differences. Results: Movement of the centre of force was greatest in the dual handrim wheelchair, both antero-posteriorly [F(2,39)= 21.696, p<0.001] and mediolaterally [F(2,39)= 44.273, p<0.001]. Position of the centre of force was also anteriorly displaced in the dual handrim wheelchair, [F(2,39) =15.57, p<0.001]. There were no significant differences in the position of the centre of force in the medio-lateral direction. [F(2,39)= 2.488, p=0.096] Conclusions: The dual handrim wheelchair produced the greatest movement of centre of force and the lever wheelchair produced the least. This may be indicative of the symmetry and stability of seated posture in hemiplegic one arm drive wheelchair users.
The genetic diversity of Iranian isolates causing fusarium wilt of Lentil

Fusarium wilt of lentil is one of the most important diseases which cause severe damages annually. In order to study the genetic diversity of Iranian isolates of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lentis (Fol), forty five isolates of the pathogen were isolated from wilted lentil plants from different lentil growing areas of Iran and two isolates were collected from International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), Damascus, Syria. The analysis of banding patterns resulting from RAPD PCR amplifications showed that Fol isolates could be differentiated into 10 groups at 64% similarity level well in accordance with their geographic origins. Studying with ISSR technique, all six primers used indicated the diversity of the isolates and differentiated them into six groups at 74% similarity level. It could partially separate isolates based on their geographical origins. Using the MXCOPH algorithm, high cophenetic correlation values for RAPD and ISSR data (0.883 and 0.918, respectively) were obtained. Both analyses were found suitable for the evaluation of genetic polymorphisms in fungal populations. Also the correlation value (r= 0.911) between cophenetic matrix values obtained from these analyses suggested a very significant correlation between RAPD and ISSR dendrograms.
Understanding limit theorems for semimartingales: a short survey

This paper presents a short survey on limit theorems for certain functionals of semimartingales that are observed at high frequency. Our aim is to explain the main ideas of the theory to a broader audience. We introduce the concept of stable convergence, which is crucial for our purpose. We show some laws of large numbers (for the continuous and the discontinuous case) that are the most interesting from a practical point of view, and demonstrate the associated stable central limit theorems. Moreover, we state a simple sketch of the proofs and give some examples.
Interactions between light waves in a nonlinear dielectric

Abstract : The induced non-linear electric dipole and higher moments in an atomic system, irradiated simultaneously by two or three light waves, are calculated by quantum mechanical perturbation theory. Terms quadratic and cubic in the field amplitudes are included. An important permutation symmetry relation for the non-linear polarizability is derived and its frequency dependence is discussed. The non-linear microscopic properties are related to an effective macroscopic non-linear polarization, which may be incorporated into Maxwell's equations for an infinite, homogeneous, anisotropic, non-linear, dielectric medium. Energy and power relationships are derived for the non-linear dielectric which correspond to the Manley-Rowe relations in the theory of parametric amplifiers. Explicit solutions are obtained for the coupled amplitude equations, which describe the interaction between a plane light wave and its second harmonic or the interaction between three plane electromagnetic waves, which satisfy the energy relationship 3 = 1 + 2 , and the approximate momentum relationship k3 = k1 + k2 + k. (Author)
Kasena Norms and Reproductive Health

Kasena reproductive culture is pro-natalist, pro-child and pro-offspring and this is obvious from their norms, sayings, and their institutions. This pro-natalist attitude is inculcated in children at an early age. These are not just glib generalisations. There is in fact evidence for this in almost all aspects of life, but we also encounter practices that appear to contradict this inclination such as the belief in spirits masquerading as babies with congenital deformities which are perceived as threats to the family and society and who should therefore be gotten rid of or the encouragement of social menopause in a pre-menopausal couple. A variety of other ethnographic facts mediate the tendency to place ultimate value in large family sizes.
The middle and upper Lochkovian (Lower Devonian) conodont successions in key peri‐Gondwana localities (Spanish Central Pyrenees and Prague Synform) and their relevance for global correlations

Detailed correlation, based on conodont sequences, between middle and upper Lochkovian carbonate successions from two key peri‐Gondwanan regions, the Spanish Central Pyrenees and the Prague Synform, is attained for the first time. This correlation facilitates the definition of tie points for further multidisciplinary studies that seek to establish high‐resolution temporal subdivision and global correlation. Some intervals have a precision of less than 0.5 Ma, which is significantly greater than in previous studies. The estimated elapsed time considered herein is about 3.2 Ma and is subdivided into five major zones of global scope: transitans‐trigonicus, trigonicus‐kutscheri, kutscheri‐pandora β, pandora β‐gilberti and gilberti‐steinachensis β. By providing tie points and globally applicable criteria, this research contributes to the international cooperative effort to subdivide the Devonian standard stages into globally recognised substages.
Tetanus Toxin Antibody Levels in Pre-School Nigerian Children after Three Doses of Diphtheria-Pertussis-Tetanus/Pentavalent Immunization: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Post-neonatal tetanus is an important problem. Prevention of tetanus in Nigeria is via immunization with three doses of Diphtheria-Pertussis-Tetanus (DPT)/Pentavalent vaccine at 6, 10 and 14 weeks. The anti-tetanus antibody levels of these children are not known after they had received DPT3/Pentavalent vaccines. Aim: This work was to determine the anti-tetanus antibody (IgG) response in Nigerian children aged six months to five years who had received three doses of DPT vaccine in early infancy. Methods: Children aged six months to five years who were attended to in the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital for acute illnesses were recruited. Their anti-tetanus IgG levels were measured using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). The optimal cut-off level of ≥0.1 IU/ml was used as the protective level. Data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0 with simple proportions and percentages. Students’ “t” test and ANOVA were used to compare quantitative variables while Chi-square and Fisher’s exact test were used to compare categorical data. Results: Four hundred and eighteen children participated in the study. The mean IgG antibody level was 1.021 ± 0.9 IU/ml. Four hundred children (95.7%) had protective levels of antibodies. The highest proportion of subjects with protective levels was in infants, 6 - 11 months (99%) and lowest in children aged 36 - 47 months (92.2%). Conclusion: The proportion of children with protective levels was above 90% in all age groups studied. The current national immunization schedule is adequate. Further studies in older age groups are needful.
Purification and biochemical characterization of beta-glucosidase from cockroach , Periplaneta americana

1 SUMMARY A beta-glucosidase was purified from Periplaneta americana by chromatography on ionexchanges, gel filtration and hydrophobic interaction columns. The preparation was shown to be homogeneous on polyacrylamide gel. The enzyme was purified 9.93-fold to a specific activity of 40.33 (U/ mg of protein) and an overall yield of 1.54 %. SDS-PAGE revealed a single polypeptide of 43.8 kDa, thus indicating apparent homogeneity of the final enzyme preparation. Gel filtration chromatography showed that the enzyme was a 46.5 kDa monomeric protein. The purified enzyme exhibited pH and temperature optima at 3.6 and 55°C, respectively. The beta-glucosidase was stable at 37C and its pH stability was in the range of 3.0-4.0. The enzyme readily hydrolyzed p-nitrophenyl-beta-D-glucoside, cellobiose, cellodextrins, p-nitrophenyl-N-acetyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside, p-nitrophenyl-N-acetyl-betaD-galactopyranoside and required strictly β-glyco configuration for activity. The specificity constants (Vmax/ KM) values for N -acetyl-beta-D-Glucopyranoside, p-nitrophenyl-beta-Dglucoside and cellobiose were respectively 31.05 mMs, 12.47 mMs and 4.59 mMs. It required no metal ion as a co-factor. Zn, Ba, pCMB inhibited the beta-glucosidase activity.
Nonlinear optimal control of bypass transition using a receding horizon approach

We consider the nonlinear optimal control of bypass transition in a boundary layer flow subjected to a pair of free stream vortical perturbations using a receding horizon approach. The optimal control problem is solved using the Lagrange variational technique that results in a set of adjoint equations, used to obtain the optimal wall actuation (blowing and suction from a control slot located in the transition region). The receding horizon approach enables the application of control action over a longer time period, and allows the extraction of time-averaged statistics as well as investigation of the control effect downstream of the control slot. The results show that the controlled flow energy is initially reduced in the streamwise direction and then increased because transition still occurs. The distribution of the optimal control velocity responds to the flow activity above and upstream of the control slot. The control effect propagates downstream of the slot and the flow energy is reduced up to the exit of the computational domain. The mean drag reduction is 55% and 10% in the control region and downstream of the slot, respectively. The control mechanism is investigated by examining the second order statistics and the two-point correlations. It is found that in the upstream (left) side of the slot, the controller counteracts the near wall high speed streaks and reduces the turbulent shear stress; this is akin to opposition control in channel flow, and since the time-average control velocity is positive, it is more similar to blowing-only opposition control. In the downstream (right) side of the slot, the controller reacts to the impingement of turbulent spots that have been produced upstream and inside the boundary layer (top-bottom mechanism). The control velocity is positive and increases in the streamwise direction, and the flow behavior is similar to that of uniform blowing.
Bioactivity of extracts of Centaurea polyclada dc. (Asteraceae)

The free radical-scavenging property, antibacterial activity, and brine shrimp toxicity of n-hexane, dichloromethane (DCM), and methanol (MeOH) extracts of Centaurea polyclada, an endemic Turkish species, were assessed using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) assay, the resazurin microtiter plate-based assay, and the brine shrimp lethality assay, respectively. The DCM and MeOH extracts of C. polyclada exhibited free radical-scavenging ability with RC50 values 1.17 and 0.015 mg/mL, respectively. Among solid-phase extraction fractions of the MeOH extract, the fraction eluted with 60% MeOH in water demonstrated the highest level of free radical-scavenging activity (RC50 = 0.016 mg/mL). Only the DCM extract showed considerable antibacterial activity against all nine test strains except Escherichia coli, with MIC ranging from 1.25 to 2.50 mg/mL. This antibacterial activity pattern was also observed with solid-phase extraction fractions of the DCM extract with varied potencies. None of the extracts showed any significant toxicity towards brine shrimps (LD50 = >1.00 mg/mL).