Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ptimizing spatial patterns with sparse filter bands for otor-imagery based brain – computer interface

Background: Common spatial pattern (CSP) has been most popularly applied to motor-imagery (MI) feature extraction for classification in brain–computer interface (BCI) application. Successful application of CSP depends on the filter band selection to a large degree. However, the most proper band is typically subject-specific and can hardly be determined manually. New method: This study proposes a sparse filter band common spatial pattern (SFBCSP) for optimizing the spatial patterns. SFBCSP estimates CSP features on multiple signals that are filtered from raw EEG data at a set of overlapping bands. The filter bands that result in significant CSP features are then selected in a supervised way by exploiting sparse regression. A support vector machine (SVM) is implemented on the selected features for MI classification. Results: Two public EEG datasets (BCI Competition III dataset IVa and BCI Competition IV IIb) are used to parse regression validate the proposed SFBCSP method. Experimental results demonstrate that SFBCSP help improve the classification performance of MI. Comparison with existing methods: The optimized spatial patterns by SFBCSP give overall better MI classification accuracy in comparison with several competing methods. Conclusions: The proposed SFBCSP is a potential method for improving the performance of MI-based BCI. © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Study of Finger Print Patterns in Leprosy

Background Dermatoglyphic is the study of epidermal ridge configuration on finger tips, palms and soles. Leprosy is an infectious disease due to Mycobacterium Leprae. Few report of dermatoglyphic patterns studies in patients with leprosy have shown that fingerprint patterns were also affected in leprosy. Objective To identify the effect role of leprosy on of fingerprint patterns. Methods A prospective case control study on 50 patients complaining from leprosy and 50 control group was conducted within 11 months period in order to study the patient fingerprint patterns. Results In this study, male (74%) consisted high rate than female (26%) and majority of patients at age group ≥ 54 years old. The whorls and loop patterns were high in control group than cases with 36.3% and 48.9% respectively, while arch pattern was high in case group than control with 29.6% in case group. Arch patterns were high in little, ring and thumb fingers, while loop patterns were high in ring, index and thumb fingers than control one. Conclusion The findings of this study were suggestive that there was an increase in the loop and arch patterns of individuals with leprosy and this was highly significant when compared to the control group in which the whorls pattern was higher, and to identify the patients with leprosy also to find if there are possible risk for future infection with leprosy by study the patterns of finger print.
Content Comparison of Aquatic Therapy Outcome Measures for Children with Neuromuscular and Neurodevelopmental Disorders Using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health

Currently, aquatic exercise is among the most common physical activity modalities for children with neuromuscular and neurodevelopmental disorders. However, the outcome measures that should be routinely used by therapists working in this specific health-care context have not been widely studied. The purpose of the study was to identify and compare the content of outcome measures used in aquatic physiotherapy for children, employing the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) as a framework. A literature review was used to identify aquatic functioning outcome measures for children with neuromuscular and neurodevelopmental disorders. Content comparison of outcome measures identified was linked to the ICF following the linking guidelines, and content-related metrics were used to analyze them. Four outcome measures were identified (HAAR, Conatser, WOTA 1 and 2, and SWIM), which contained a total of 116 meaningful concepts and were linked to 35 ICF 2nd level categories. The greatest number of items assessed activity and participation categories. Large differences were found in reference to the density of content. For content diversity, the measures were all below 0.5. The identified outcome measurements showed homogeneity with respect to the theoretical foundation; however, some differences were found in terms of content analysis.
Endothelin: 30 Years From Discovery to Therapy.

Discovered in 1987 as a potent endothelial cell-derived vasoconstrictor peptide, endothelin-1 (ET-1), the predominant member of the endothelin peptide family, is now recognized as a multifunctional peptide with cytokine-like activity contributing to almost all aspects of physiology and cell function. More than 30 000 scientific articles on endothelin were published over the past 3 decades, leading to the development and subsequent regulatory approval of a new class of therapeutics-the endothelin receptor antagonists (ERAs). This article reviews the history of the discovery of endothelin and its role in genetics, physiology, and disease. Here, we summarize the main clinical trials using ERAs and discuss the role of endothelin in cardiovascular diseases such as arterial hypertension, preecclampsia, coronary atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction in the absence of obstructive coronary artery disease (MINOCA) caused by spontaneous coronary artery dissection, Takotsubo syndrome, and heart failure. We also discuss how endothelins contributes to diabetic kidney disease and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, pulmonary arterial hypertension, as well as cancer, immune disorders, and allograft rejection (which all involve ETA autoantibodies), and neurological diseases. The application of ERAs, dual endothelin receptor/angiotensin receptor antagonists (DARAs), selective ETB agonists, novel biologics such as receptor-targeting antibodies, or immunization against ETA receptors holds the potential to slow the progression or even reverse chronic noncommunicable diseases. Future clinical studies will show whether targeting endothelin receptors can prevent or reduce disability from disease and improve clinical outcome, quality of life, and survival in patients.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CAPITAL STRUCTURE AND THE LIFE CYCLE LISTED IN TEHRAN STOCK EXCHANGE

Knowing the stage where the company is located, This will allow the users of accounting information to better evaluate the financial information, Current and future needs (such as investment and financing) and also to provide management capabilities. For this purpose, which is company in any stage of the life cycle, the life cycle of separation Anthony and Ramesh (1992) and Blake (1998) variables using sales growth, capital expenditure, dividends and age ratios used 's. Study period from 2006 to 2011 is considered. In the present study a sample of 156 companies (936 years - the company) of the study population are listed companies in Tehran Stock Exchange has been selected. The separation of the corporate life cycle, 196 (year company) Growth, 495 (year - company) mature and 245 (year - Company) is declining. In this study, the pecking order theory is used for investigate the capital structure. This theory is based on asymmetric information between investors and firm managers. Based on the peciking order theory, the first priority for the use of internal funds (retained earnings), then the release of low-risk debt, and finally equity, the position of the last priority. The results of the hypothesis test showed that growth firms are following the pecking order theory in their capital structure model, While mature and declined firms in their capital structure model does not follow from the pecking order theory.
Efficacy of Oral Sotalol in Ventricular Tachycardia Reentrant

Summary. Oral sotalol was given to 64 patients (78% postinfarction) with recurrent, reentrant ventricular tachycardia (VT) during an average follow-up period of 19.7 months. Fifty-nine (92%) patients had previously experienced recurrent ventricular tachycardia, in spite of having received an average of three conventional antiarrhythmic drugs (13 had previously failed on other Class IlI drugs). The nature and mechanism of the VT was proved with electrophysiologic testing (EPS), and the chronic sotalol dosage was determined by repeated EPS at 3- to 4-day intervals until the VT was no longer inducible. Sotaiol failed in five patients and was discontinued in six patients because of severe side effects (three proarrhythmic effects, including two with torsades de pointes)--a total of 18%. Sotalol was successful alone in 42 patients (65%) and in combination with another antiarrhythmic drug in 11 patients (18%). The average dose of sotalol required for success was 589 mg; 658 mg was the mean daily dose when given alone and 486 mg when given in combination. Side effects were common and were due mainly to the betablocking effects of sotalol. Dual chamber pacing was required by 11 patients because of poorly tolerated bradycardia, and 14 patients remained symptomatic from worsening of the cardiac failure in spite of pacing, increased diuretics, or vasodilator therapy. The average drug dosage was the same for symptomatic (680 mg) and asymptomatic (627 mg) patients. Sotalol is a valuable antiarrhythmic drug for reentrant ventricular tachycardia. High doses are needed, and at these doses the beta-blocking activity is responsible for most of the side effects.
The Association between Difficulty Seeing and Physical Activity among 17,777 Adults Residing in Spain

This is the first representative population-based study exploring the association between difficulty seeing (i.e., low vision) and physical activity in Spain. Cross-sectional data from the Spanish National Health Survey 2017 were analysed (n = 17,777, ≥15 years; 52% females). Difficulty seeing was self-reported in response to the question ‘‘Do you have difficulty seeing? ” The international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ) short form was used to measure level of physical activity. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess associations overall and by age group (15–49, 50–64, ≥65 years). Covariates included in the analysis were sex, age, education, marital status, use of glasses or contact lenses, cataracts, diabetes, obesity, hypertension, smoking and alcohol consumption. The overall prevalence of difficulty seeing was 11%, and the overall prevalence of participating in less than 600 metabolic equivalent (MET)-min/week of physical activity was 30.2%. After adjustment for covariates, difficulty seeing was associated with significantly higher odds of performing less than 600 MET-min/week of physical activity with the odds ratio (OR) = 1.222 (95% confidence interval = 1.099–1.357). Considering the impact on health and quality of life due to reduced physical activity in people with difficulty seeing, at least 600 MET-min/week of physical activity should be promoted to this population.
Estrogen Activation of CaM Kinases and Transcription Is Blocked by Vitamin D in MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells

Calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaM Kinase) proteins are targets of hormones and growth factors and regulate cancer cell growth, apoptosis and migration. The hormone estrogen (E2) utilizes CaM Kinases to activate the Extracellular-signal regulated kinase (ERK) leading to MCF-7 breast cancer cell growth. The hormone Vitamin D (Vit D) may inhibit breast cancer cell growth however the cellular mechanisms of Vit D action remain to be elucidated. Within the present study we provide data that E2 stimulation of MCF-7 cells activates CaM Kinase Kinase (CaM KK), CaM KI, and ERK and the transcription factors Elk-1 and SRF. E2 treatment of MCF-7 cells potently stimulated Elk-1/SRF directed transcription of SRE-luciferase reporters. E2 activation of ERK, Elk-1, SRF and SRE-dependent luciferase activities were blocked by treating cells with the CaM KK inhibitor, STO-609, and the ERK inhibitor, U0126. Moreover, siRNAs directed against CaM KK and ERK blocked transcription factor phosphorylation and luciferase activity. Treatment of cells with Vit D, the hormone Epinephrine (Epi), or Forskolin, prevented E2 activation of CaM KK and ERK. Interestingly, Vit D promoted a PKA-dependent phosphorylation and inhibition of CaM KK as well as its association with 14-3-3. Epi and Vit D treatment of cells blocked the ability of E2 to active Elk-1 and SRE-luciferase activity. This data suggests an important role for CaM KK and ERK in regulating transcription downstream of E2 in MCF-7 cells. Our results also suggest that Vit D treatment of MCF-7 cells utilizes a unique PKA-dependent mechanism to block E2 activation of CaM KK, ERK and transcription.
Ion kinetic‐energy distributions and Balmer‐alpha (Hα) excitation in Ar‐H2 radio‐frequency discharges

Excited neutrals and fast ions produced in a 13.56 MHz radio‐frequency discharge in a 90% argon −10% hydrogen gas mixture were investigated, respectively, by spatially and temporally resolved optical emission spectroscopy, and by mass‐resolved measurements of ion kinetic energy distributions at the grounded electrode. The electrical characteristics of the discharge were also measured and comparisons are made with results obtained for discharges in pure H2 under comparable conditions. Measurements of Balmer‐alpha (Hα) emission show Doppler‐broadened emission that is due to the excitation of fast atomic hydrogen neutrals formed from ion neutralization processes in the discharge. Temporally and spatially resolved emission profiles of the Hα radiation from the Ar‐H2 mixture are presented for the ‘‘slow’’ component produced predominately by electron‐impact dissociative excitation of H2, and for the ‘‘fast’’ component corresponding to energies much greater than can be derived from dissociative excitation. For t.
Shortening of long high vowels in Hungarian : a perceptual loss?

Vowel quantity is distinctive in Hungarian for all vowels. However, the quantity opposition in high vowels has become unstable in colloquial speech. Possible reasons are the low functional load of this distinctive feature and the lack of supporting acoustic cues such as spectral differences between long and short high vowels. According to Ohala’s model of sound change, the quantity neutralisation process in the production of high vowels might go back to a perceptual loss. This was tested in a forced-choice categorisation experiment for high, mid, and low vowels with different age groups. Our results show a decreased sensibility for high and also mid vowels, but only in unstressed position.
Efficacy of Slow Rate Ventriculolumbar Perfusion Chemotherapy for Leptomeningeal Carcinomatosis: Interim Result of a Phase II Study

Background To evaluate the efficacy of modified ventriculolumbar perfusion (VLP) chemotherapy with methotrexate on leptomeningeal carcinomatosis in terms of symptomatic response and side effects. Methods Previous infusion rate of 20 mL/h was reduced to 15 mL/h for the purpose of decreasing constitutional side effects of VLP such as nausea/vomiting, insomnia and confusion. The primary outcome was the response rate of increased intracranial pressure (ICP), and the secondary outcome was the occurrence of side effects compared to previous 20 mL/h trial. This interim analysis to validate the reduced infusion rate is not to affect the original effect of VLP chemotherapy. Results All forty-seven patients were enrolled including 22 patients with increased ICP. Thirteen patients out of these (59%) got normalized ICP after VLP chemotherapy. Moderate to severe (grade 2–3) confusion was observed in 3 patients (6%) and it was significantly reduced compared to those (23%) in the VLP 20 mL/h (p=0.017). Grade 2–3 nausea/vomiting was also reduced from 64% to 45% but failed to reach statistical significance (p=0.08). Median overall survival (OS) was 5.3 months (95% confidence interval, 3.55–7.05) and patients OS, who received maintenance VLP was significantly prolonged compared to patients who underwent induction VLP only (5.8 vs. 3.4 months, p=0.025). Conclusion VLP of reduced perfusion rate (15 mL/h) showed compatible control rate of increased ICP at this interim analysis. Decreased moderate to severe side effects and prolonged OS in patients received maintenance VLP encourage us to evaluate the effectiveness of this trial further.
Association between smoking and anthropometric characteristics, biochemical markers, and dietary intake of Pakistani male adult population

Background/Objectives: A community-based study was conducted to compare the nutritional status between smokers and non-smokers in association with dietary, biochemical and socio- economic characteristics. Methods: A convenient sampling method was used to enroll 100 smokers and 99 non-smokers aged between 46 and 78 years from the urban and semi-urban areas of district Peshawar, Pakistan. Weight, height, waist and hip circumferences of the subjects were taken while body composition was determined by employing a Bodystat Analyzer. A blood sample was taken from each subject for the determination of serum vitamin A and zinc levels. Subjects were interviewed for a 24-hr dietary recall and demographic and socio-economic characteristics. Student’s t-test and bivariate analysis were conducted to compare the mean differences and examine the association between different variables of smoker and non-smoker groups. Results: The results revealed that there was no significant ( p>0.05) difference between the mean age, weight, height and body mass index of smokers and non smokers. However, the mean body fat, waist and hip circumference of the smokers were significantly (p <0.05) lower than the non-smokers. Conversely, the mean serum vitamin A (32.30±15.99 μg/dl) of smokers was significantly (p<0.05) higher than non-smokers (26.50±20.44 μg/dl) but the mean serum zinc concentration of smokers (99.76±27.42 μg/dl) was significantly lower than the non-smokers (108.25±32.20 μg/dl). Conclusions: The study concludes that anthropometric (body mass index), biochemical (vitamin A and zinc status), dietary (energy intake) and socio-economic (income, profession) characteristics failed to establish an association with smoking as most of the indicators of smokers are comparable to non-smokers.
Clonal Propagation of Flacourtia indica for Ensuring Quality Planting Materials and Sustainable Supply of Edible Fruits

The present study was carried out at the Agriculture research field, Patuakhali Science And Technology University(PSTU), Patuakhali, from March, 2015 to April, 2016 to explore the domestication potential and to evaluate the rooting performance of Flacourtia indica (katabohori), a wild fruit species in Bangladesh, through clonal propagation by stem cutting under 3 different doses of rooting hormone IBA (Indole Buetaric Acid) and planted in the perforated plastic tray filled with coarse sand and gravel placed in the non-mist propagator. The experiment was laid out following a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with 4 treatments and 4 replications (blocks). The treatments were T0= control, T1 = 0.2% IBA, T2 = 0.4% IBA, T3 = 0.8% IBA. The rooting ability of cuttings was significantly influenced by the application of IBA. The results showed that the highest rooting percentage (100) and maximum root number (8) of Flacourtia indica stem cuttings were obtained from the cuttings treated with 0.4% IBA followed by 0.2% IBA where as the longest root length (8.998 cm) was recorded with 0.2% IBA followed by 0.4% IBA. Survival percentage of the cutlings (the rooted cuttings) after 3 months of transferring them into poly bags was also significantly enhanced by exogenous rooting hormone (IBA) application. The highest survival percentage (84.5 %) was for the cuttings treated with 0.4% IBA followed by 0.2% IBA (71%). The similar trend was also observed for average cutling height and number of leaf. Findings of the present study reveal that the plant species is highly amenable for clonal propagation by stem cuttings using low-cost non-mist propagator. Considering both rooting percentage and root number, 0.4% IBA treatment of stem cuttings may be recommended for mass production of quality planting stocks for the domestication of the species in homestead agroforestry or in fruit orchards to provide edible fruit to rural poor people of natural disaster vulnerable Bangladesh.
The Role of the Servant Leadership on the Relation between Ethical Climate Perception and Innovative Work

Globalization and changes in technology forced enterprises to adopt contemporary management approaches in order to gain a sustainable competitive edge. To this end, human resources gained a great interest as a managerial tool to sustain that advantage. While managers are expected to display appropriate leadership style and to create a suitable climate, employees are anticipated to display adaptive performance and innovative work behaviors. This study, therefore, aims at investigating the relationship among key variables for human capital management in terms of innovative practices. A survey is carried out with 254 employees in hospitality business in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and it is concluded that ethical climate perception has a positive effect on innovative work behavior. Furthermore, a mediation role of servant leadership on the relationship between ethical climate perception and innovative work behavior is observed.
Making Sense of the EU Wide Stress Test: A Comparison with the SRISK Approach

We analyse the SRISK measure with respect to its usage as a benchmark for the ECB/EBA 2014 stress test. By regressing the ECB/EBA stress test impact and the SRISK stress impact on a set of factors that are commonly associated with bank credit losses and bank vulnerability, we find that the ECB/EBA stress impact is consistent with findings in the literature on credit losses. In contrast, the SRISK measure bears much less relation to these factors; it is largely driven by the banks JEL Classification: C21, G01, G21
Long-wavelength undulations of the seismic Moho beneath the strongly stretched Western Anatolia

SUMMARY Western Turkey provides spectacular examples of the two end-member models of deformation of the continental lithosphere, with strain localization along the North Anatolian fault and distributed north–south extension along the Aegean coast. To provide constraints on the mechanisms of continental deformation, we present a new high-resolution image of lithospheric structurealonga ∼650kmtransectcrossingWesternAnatoliaat28 ◦ ElongitudefromtheBlack Sea to the Mediterranean. More than 2600 receiver functions are computed from records of teleseismic earthquakes at 40 broadband seismic stations with an average spacing of 15km. Lateral variations of crustal thickness and Vp/Vs ratio are inferred from both H-k and common conversion point stacks. We observe long-wavelength variations of Moho depth from ∼31km in the Thrace basin to ∼25km beneath the Marmara Sea, ∼32km beneath the Izmir–Ankara suture, ∼25km beneath the Menderes Massif and ∼20km on the coast of the Mediterranean. No mid- or lower-crustal interface is visible in the migrated depth section and seismic discontinuities are confined to the shallow crust. The small-amplitude and long-wavelength lateral variations of the Moho topography suggest that viscous flow in a hot lower crust has smoothed out the lateral variations of crustal thickness induced by Cenozoic continent–continent collision.Thecrust–mantleboundaryisflatbeneaththecentralandsouthernMenderesMassif.The rougher Moho topography and more heterogeneous crust of the Marmara region likely result from transtension in the North Anatolian Fault Zone superimposed onto Aegean extension. The Moho of the subducted African lithosphere is observed dipping northward between ∼40 and ∼60km depth at the southern end of the profile. The abrupt termination of the subducted slab only 50km to the north of the Mediterranean coast confirms the slab tear inferred from previous tomographic studies.