Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mood swings associated with the ‘on—off’ phenomenon in Parkinson's disease

Synopsis Mood swings accompanying the motor fluctuations of patients with Parkinson's disease on chronic levodopa treatment frequently occur, but are poorly recognized. Occasionally, their functional impact may be greater than that caused by the motor disability itself. In this study we have assessed the nature of, and relationship between, mood and motor fluctuations in nine Parkinsonian patients with ‘on—off’ motor swings. The results of an additional questionnaire survey confirm that ‘on–off’ mood swings occur in approximately two thirds of patients with Parkinson's disease experiencing motor fluctuations on dopaminergic treatment. Aetiological and therapeutic implications are discussed.
ROLE OF MONITORING AND EVALUATION ON PROJECT SUSTAINABILITY IN RWANDA . A CASE STUDY OF ELECTRICITY ACCESS SCALE-UP AND SECTOR-WIDE APPROACH DEVELOPMENT PROJECT ( EASSDP )

enerally, role of monitoring and evaluation on project sustainability in Rwanda is necessary by focusing on why the lack of M & E capacity continue to cause unsustainable outcomes of projects because the results of many projects are not benefited after being implemented. The general objective of the study was to examine the role of monitoring and evaluation on projects sustainability in Rwanda. Specific objectives were to identify the role of effective information to the sustainability of the projects in Rwanda; to examine how partnership for planning influences the sustainability of projects in Rwanda; to ascertain the effect of supportive supervision to the sustainability of projects in Rwanda; and to establish relationship between accountability and the sustainability of projects in Rwanda. The findings will help policy makers in decision making and enable them put in place policies guiding running of projects in the country. This study adopted a descriptive research design. The target population of this study was 104respondents comprised of 100 monitors of Rwanda Electricity Access Scale-Up and Sector-Wide Approach (SWAP) development project and four directors of REG in Kayonza, Bugesera, Karongi and Gatsibo. Slovin’s formula was used to determine the sample of 83 respondents. Purposive sampling method was used to select four directors, while for SWAP staff simple random sampling method was used. Both primary data and secondary data was used for the study. Primary data was collected using a well-structured questionnaire. The study utilized questionnaires as an instrument for data collection. Data collected was analyzed through SPSS version 23. Data analysis involved statistical computations for averages, percentages, and correlation and regression analysis. Findings of the study was presented using frequency distribution tables. For the first and second research objectives, this research used descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviations), regression analysis was used for the third research objectives, while Pearson correlation was used for the fourth research objective to establish relationship between variables under study. The study findings indicated that accountability (r=0.347, p<0.01), effective communication (r=0.466, p<0.01), partnership for planning (r=0.506, p<0.01) and supportive supervision (r=0.612, p<0.01) significantly correlate to the sustainability of projects in Rwanda. The study recommended that commitment by the management in overseeing the monitoring and evaluation exercise in the project will enhance project sustainability in Rwanda.
Six-year outcome of the national premarital screening and genetic counseling program for sickle cell disease and β-thalassemia in Saudi Arabia

Background and Objectives: Saudi Arabia has a high prevalence of hereditary hemoglobin disorders. Data has been collected by the Saudi Premarital Screening and Genetic Counseling Program on the prevalence of sickle cell disease and β-thalassemia but the outcomes were not quantified. We used six years of premarital screening data to estimate the burden of sickle disease and β-thalassemia over the program period and to assess the frequency of at-risk marriage detection and prevention. Design and Setting: Retrospective review, premarital couples attending premarital and genetic counseling clinics with marriage proposals between 2004 and 2009. Methods: Blood samples obtained from all couples with marriage proposals between 2004 and 2009 were tested for sickle cell disease and β-thalassemia. Test results were shared with all examinees and genetic counseling was offered for all at-risk couples. Marriage certificates were issued irrespective of the results and compliance with medical advice was voluntary. Results: Out of all men and women examined, 70 962 (4.5%) and 29 006 (1.8%) were carriers or cases of sickle cell disease and β-thalassemia, respectively. While the prevalence of sickle cell disease was constant between 2004 and 2009 (average 45.1 per 1000 examined persons, P=.803), the prevalence of β-thalassemia steadily decreased from 32.9 to 9.0 per 1000 examined persons (P<.001). The frequency of at-risk couples decreased by about 60% between 2004 and 2009 (from 10.1 to 4.0 per 1000 examined persons, P<.001). The frequency of voluntary cancellation of marriage proposals among at-risk couples showed more than 5-fold increase between 2004 and 2009 (from 9.2% to 51.9%, P<.001). The eastern region had 58% of all detected at-risk marriages and showed the greatest decline in detection and increase in prevention over time compared to other regions of Saudi Arabia. Conclusion: Six years of premarital screening in Saudi Arabia markedly reduced the number of at-risk marriages, which may considerably reduce the genetic disease burden in Saudi Arabia in the next decades.
Sentiments, Financial Markets, and Macroeconomic Fluctuations

This paper studies how financial information frictions can generate sentiment-driven fluctuations in asset prices and self-fulfilling business cycles. In our model economy, exuberant financial market sentiments of high output and high demand for capital increase the price of capital, which signals strong fundamentals of the economy to the real side and consequently leads to an actual boom in real output and employment. The model further derives implications for asymmetric non-linear asset prices and for economic contagion and co-movement across countries. In the extension to the dynamic OLG setting, our model demonstrates that sentiment shocks can generate persistent output, employment and business cycle fluctuations, and offers some new implications for asset prices over business cycles.
Binding Site Characterization and Resistance to a Class of Non-nucleoside Inhibitors of the Hepatitis C Virus NS5B Polymerase*

The virally encoded NS5B RNA-dependent RNA polymerase has emerged as a prime target in the search for specific HCV antivirals. A series of benzimidazole 5-carboxamide compounds inhibit the cellular RNA replication of a HCV subgenomic replicon and we have advanced our understanding of this class of inhibitors through a combination of complementary approaches that include biochemical cross-linking experiments with a photoreactive analogue followed by mass spectrometry analysis of the enzyme. A novel binding site has been localized for these inhibitors at the junction of the thumb domain and the N-terminal finger loop. Furthermore, the isolation and characterization of resistant replicon mutants that co-localize to this region distinguished this class of compounds from other non-nucleoside NS5B inhibitors that bind to distinct allosteric sites. Resistant mutations that emerged with the benzimidazole 5-carboxamide and related compounds were found at three amino acid positions in the thumb domain: Pro495 with substitutions to Ser, Leu, Ala, or Thr; Pro496 substitutions to Ser or Ala; and a V499A substitution. Mutations at each of these positions conferred different levels of resistance to this drug class: the Pro495 changes provided the greatest shifts in compound potency, followed by moderate changes in potency with the Pro496 substitutions, and finally only minor shifts in potency with V499A. Combinations that include the benzimidazole 5-carboxamide polymerase inhibitors and compounds that bind other sites or other HCV targets, including HCV protease inhibitors, are complementary in cell culture models of HCV RNA replication at suppressing the emergence of resistant variants. This novel class of compounds and unique binding site expand the diversity of HCV antivirals currently under development and offer the potential to improve the treatment of chronic HCV infection.
Context-aware mobile health monitoring: Evaluation of different pattern recognition methods for classification of physical activity

There are various applications of physical activity monitoring for medical purposes, such as therapeutic rehabilitation, fitness enhancement or the use of physical activity as context information for evaluation of other vital data. Physical activity can be estimated using acceleration sensor-systems fixed on a person's body. By means of pattern recognition methods, it is possible to identify with certain accuracy which movement is being performed. This work presents a comparison of different methods for recognition of daily-life activities, which will serve as basis for the development of an online activity monitoring system.
Glutamate receptor‐mediated synaptic excitation in axons of the lamprey.

1. Spontaneous and evoked synaptic inputs were recorded in vitro in the axons of lamprey reticulospinal neurones. After isolation of the axon from its somata, synaptic inputs were recorded using microelectrode and whole‐cell patch clamp recording techniques. 2. Single stimuli applied to the spinal cord elicited Ca(2+)‐dependent synaptic potentials with short latencies in reticulospinal axons. These synaptic inputs are capable of summation and generate sufficient depolarization to raise the membrane potential beyond threshold to initiate action potentials. Action potential initiation in the absence of the cell body indicates that these axons show synaptic integration. 3. Both evoked and spontaneous responses comprise at least two components of synaptic drive: a slow component (rise time of 9.6 +/‐ 2.1 ms) with a reversal potential of ‐53 +/‐ 19 mV and a fast component (rise time as fast as 0.85 ms) with a reversal potential of 0.3 +/‐ 9.1 mV. The responses are Ca2+ dependent, and are blocked by the substitution of Ba2+ for Ca2+ in the saline solution. 4. The slow component of synaptic input was blocked by the gamma‐aminobutyric acidA (GABAA) receptor antagonist bicuculline (5 microM). The fast component was blocked by the alpha‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptor antagonist 6‐cyano‐7‐nitroqinoxaline‐2,3‐dione (CNQX; 10 microM) in Ringer solution containing physiological concentrations of Mg2+. Following removal of Mg2+ from the superfusate a further excitatory component was identified that was blocked by application of the N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist 2‐amino‐5‐phosphonopentanoate (AP5; 100 microM). 5. Comparison of the kinetic properties and the voltage sensitivity of the isolated components of evoked and spontaneous synaptic activity indicate that these responses are mediated by similar synaptic inputs. 6. These results suggest that axons and presynaptic terminals receive excitatory and inhibitory ionotropic receptor‐mediated inputs. Summation of these inputs is possible indicating that the axons act as sites of synaptic integration similar to the role previously attributed only to neuronal dendrites and somata.
An Industrial Study of System-Level Test

This paper discusses our experience with the advantages of having SLT in an industrial test flow. In addition, the level of correlation of SLT failures to parameters from other testing steps is also studied for an in-production IC in this work to evaluate if the system-level failures of an IC can be identified at other testing steps. Note that the correlation study performed in this paper is not intended to determine whether the SLT failures can indeed be effectively identified using parameters measured at other testing steps, but rather only to evaluate the difficulty of finding a high level of correlation.
Identification of dinR, a DNA damage-inducible regulator gene of Bacillus subtilis

A Bacillus subtilis strain deficient in homologous recombination was isolated from a library of Tn917lac insertion mutants. The interrupted locus consists of an open reading frame encoding a 22,823-dalton polypeptide. Analysis of the deduced amino acid sequence revealed 34% identity and 47.3% similarity with the LexA protein from Escherichia coli. The gene was designated dinR. It is located between the recA and thyA genetic markers, at 162 degrees on the B. subtilis chromosome. The dinR gene was shown to be expressed during the entire B. subtilis cellular cycle with at least a threefold increase when cells develop competence. In addition, the use of a merodiploid strain, in which a copy of the wild-type dinR gene coexists with a dinR-lacZ transcriptional fusion, demonstrated that dinR is an SOS gene and that the SOS-induced expression of dinR occurred only when a wild-type copy of dinR was present. In addition, DinR seems to regulate the expression of dinC, another SOS gene.
FTD with catatonia-like signs that temporarily resolved with zolpidem.

A 69-year-old woman with no family history of mental or neurologic diseases or hypoxic episodes began to show gradual progressive apathy and difficulties in household work at about 50 years of age, followed by emotional blunting. At 68 years of age, she developed catatonia-like signs with little or no spontaneous movement, mutism, and refusal to eat or drink. Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) was suspected because of the bilateral frontal and temporal atrophy shown by an MRI study. At that time, her family found that her symptoms were temporarily resolved with zolpidem without sleepiness. Medical examinations, including a complete blood cell count, and liver, renal, and thyroid function tests, showed no abnormalities. EEG showed dominant α rhythm with occasional slow waves, without any evidence of disturbance of consciousness. Psychotropic agents including zopiclone, lorazepam, brotizolam, alprazolam, diazepam, quazepam, quetiapine, fluvoxamine, lamotrigine, mirtazapine, and amantadine did not resolve her catatonia-like signs. No psychological tests could be performed because of her catatonic state. About 30 minutes after the oral administration of zolpidem (5 mg), her catatonia-like signs gradually ameliorated, and the effect lasted for a few hours. Psychological tests following zolpidem administration demonstrated that her Mini-Mental State Examination score was 21/30, showing disturbances in orientation, attention, and calculation, while the Frontal Assessment Battery score was 11/18 with signs of perseveration that indicated the hypofunction of the frontal lobe. The Bush-Francis Catatonia Rating Scale score changed from 26 to 3 (table). Brain perfusion scans were performed before and after the administration of zolpidem (figure). In both scans, a severe perfusion decrease was observed in bilateral high-frontal lobes, and a mild decrease was observed in bilateral temporal lobes, which was compatible with FTD. After the oral administration of zolpidem, the perfusion was decreased in the brainstem and improved in the thalamus and some cortical areas, including the left parieto-temporal lobe and left cerebellar cortex. The anticatatonic effect of zolpidem has been observed for these 2 years without any side effect.
Arterial stiffness and Chlamydia pneumoniae infection in coronary artery disease. Is there a link?

Background. We investigated the possible association between antichlamydial antibodies and pulse wave analysis (PWA) parameters in a cohort of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods. The augmentation index (AI), the reflection time index (RTI) and the time to the beginning of the reflected wave (CT-1) were estimated (Sphygmocor ATCOR Medical). IgA titers ≥ 40 and IgG ≥80 were considered as positive (microimmunofluorescence test). Patients also underwent coronary angiography, ultrasound carotid measurements and 24 h ambulatory blood pressure (BP) measurements. Results. No differences existed in the traditional risk factors for CAD between the seronegative and seropositive IgA/ IgG groups. IgA seropositive subjects had higher values of AI (p < 0.01) comparing to seronegatives whilst the levels of CT-1 and RTI were lower (p < 0.011 and p < 0.02 respectively). No differences in AI, CT-1 and RTI values were found between IgG seropositive/ seronegatives patients. Conclusions. An association was indicated between IgA antichlamydial titers and PWA parameters in patients with CAD, supporting that the connecting link between arterial stiffness and CAD might include this microorganism.
Decentralized variable structure model-following adaptive control for interconnected systems with series nonlinearities

The problem of model-referenced control for interconnected systems with series non-linearities is investigated. By applying variable structure control theory, we propose a controller which is able to drive the error subsystem between the model state and the plant state to zero. The presented variable structure controller ensures the global reaching condition of the sliding mode of the error system. It shows that the uncertain nonlinear dynamic system also possesses the property of insensitivity to uncertainties and disturbances as a linear system does. Furthermore, the sliding mode can be designed to converge within a specified exponential speed.
Hemodynamics with propofol: is propofol dangerous in classes III-V patients?

rial oxygen saturation 100%). The surgical procedure was performed uneventfully. Postoperative Spo2 values ranged 82%–89%. Further investigation into the family tree revealed a 5-yr-old brother with a room air Spo2 value of 76%, a 27-yr-old father with room air Spo2 of 61%–62% and a paternal grandfather with room air Spo2 of 80%–82%. Results of hemoglobin electrophoresis showed an abnormal hemoglobin variant, known as hemoglobin Cheverly (Table 1). In summary, a pulse oximeter is not an accurate monitor for patients with unstable hemoglobin Cheverly and possibly other hemoglobinopathies (2,3).
Danshen improves survival of patients with advanced lung cancer and targeting the relationship between macrophages and lung cancer cells

In traditional Chinese medicine, Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (danshen) is widely used in the treatment of numerous cancers. However, its clinical effort and mechanism in the treatment of advanced lung cancer are unclear. In our study, the in vivo protective effort of danshen in patients with advanced lung cancer were validated using data from the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan. We observed in vitro that dihydroisotanshinone I (DT), a bioactive compound in danshen, exerts anticancer effects through many pathways. First, 10 μM DT substantially inhibited the migration ability of lung cancer cells in both macrophage and macrophage/lung cancer direct mixed coculture media. Second, 10 μM DT repressed the phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), the protein expression of S-phase kinase associated protein-2 (Skp2), and the mRNA levels of STAT3-related genes, including chemokine (C–C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2). In addition, 10 μM DT suppressed the macrophage recruitment ability of lung cancer cells by reducing CCL2 secretion from both macrophages and lung cancer cells. Third, 20 μM DT induced apoptosis in lung cancer cells. Furthermore, DT treatment significantly inhibited the final tumor volume in a xenograft nude mouse model. In conclusion, danshen exerts protective efforts in patients with advanced lung cancer. These effects can be attributed to DT-mediated interruption of the cross talk between lung cancer cells and macrophages and blocking of lung cancer cell proliferation.
Simplified method for the cultural diagnosis of gonorrhoea.

Description A new simplified method which enables a rapid presumptive cultural diagnosis of gonorrhoea-the Ames detection kit or 'Microcult GC'-has been devised. The kit consists of a a small plastic container with a detachable lid, into which are set two buffcoloured squares (approx. 2 x 2 cm) of dessicated modified Thayer-Martin selective medium* adsorbed into a porous cellulose matrix, the whole being supplied dry and gamma-irradiated in a foil-lined sealed envelope. After the end of the envelope has been cut off to remove the cassette, the squares are each rehydrated by adding six drops of distilled water, and they are then inoculated with the material under test using a swab or a loop. The lid is replaced and the cassette restored to the foil envelope. A tablet of citric acidsodium bicarbonate mixture is added to the packet before it is sealed by folding and firmly pressing the foil at the open end. The cassette is then incubated at 35-37° C. for 24 to 48 hrs. To identify Neisseria two strips impregnated with tetramethyl-paraphenelene diamine (oxidase reagent) are provided with each cassette. After 24 hrs one of these is firmly pressed for 3 to 5 sec. on one of the squares of medium and if Neisseria is present a blue colour will appear within 30 sec. on the buffcoloured surface. The result is then confirmed by a Gram-stained scraping of the blue area.t If the result is negative, the cassette is restored to the incubator and the second square is tested at 48 hrs.
Multiple roles of the PGE2‐EP receptor signal in vascular permeability

PGE2 is a major prostanoid that regulates inflammation by stimulating EP1–4 receptors. However, how PGE2 induces an initial inflammatory response to vascular hyper‐permeability remains unknown. Here we investigated the role of the PGE2‐EP receptor signal in modulating vascular permeability both in vivo and in vitro.
Guidelines update: aggressively target cardiovascular risk factors.

currently provided with such care. As a result, women and children represent a growing proportion of new HIV infections. Of the 11 000 new infections each day in 2005, nearly 14% were in children aged 15 years or younger, and women made up about half of the adults infected. Greater efforts to reach other highrisk groups are also needed, according to UNAIDS. Less than 20% of individuals who inject illicit drugs received preventive care, such as methadone or buprenorphine treatment or access to needle exchanges. In Eastern Europe and Asia, where injection drug use is driving growing epidemics, less than 10% of these individuals received preventive care. In addition, of the 24 countries that reported data on sex workers, only 10 had achieved the goal of providing prevention services to at least 50% of this population. Less than 10% of men who have sex with men received any HIV prevention services in 2005.
Reservation-Based Dynamic TDMA Protocol for Medical Body Area Networks

The medical body area network (MBAN) is an emerging technology to resolve the small area connection issues around human body, especially for the medical applications. This paper proposes a dynamic TDMA (DTDMA) protocol for MBAN with focus on the dependability and power efficiency. In DTDMA, the slots are allocated by the MBAN coordinator only to the devices which have buffered packets and released to other devices after the current allocation. Through the adaptive allocation of the slots in a DTDMA frame, the MBAN coordinator adjusts the duty cycle adaptively with the traffic load. Comparing with the IEEE 802.15. 4 MAC protocol, the DTDMA provides more dependability in terms of lower packet dropping rate and less energy consumption especially for an end device of a MBAN.