Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effect of an Enrichment Reading Program on the Cognitive Processes and Neural Structures of Children Having Reading Difficulties

The main purpose of the current study is to explain the effect of an enrichment reading program on the cognitive processes and neural structures of children experiencing reading difficulties. The current study was carried out in line with a single-subject research method and the between-subjects multiple probe design belonging to this method. This research focuses on a group of eight students with reading difficulties. Within the context of the study, memory capacities, attention spans, reading-related activation and white matter pathways of the students were determined before and after the application of the enrichment reading program. This determination process was carried out in two stages. Neuro-imaging was performed in the first stage and in the second stage the students’ cognitive processes and neural structures were investigated in terms of focusing attention and memory capacities by using the following tools: Stroop Test TBAG Form, Auditory Verbal Digit Span Test-Form B, Cancellation Test and Number Order Learning Test. The results obtained show that the enrichment reading program resulted in an improvement in the reading profiles of the students having reading difficulties in terms of their cognitive processes and neural structures.
CANOPY TRANSPIRATION RESPONSE TO ENVIRONMENTAL VARIATIONS IN PLATYCLADUS ORIENTALIS : PROPERTIES AND MODELLING

Regrowth of tall, dense forests consumes more water, with the result that catchment yield may decline and even soil desiccation occurred especially in the semi-arid Loess Plateau of China. In this study, meteorological measurements combined with sap flow techniques provided a low-cost option to study the rates of water uptake by individual trees of Platycladus orientalis response to environmental factors on a continuous basis. A series of environmental control functions: vapour pressure deficit, solar radiation and air temperature were used to characterize canopy transpiration (Ec). A Jarvis-type model, modified to directly estimate the Ec rather than canopy conductance, explained 89% of the variation observed in Ec. Cross validation shows that this model provided good predictions of canopy transpiration for P. orientalis. Such a methodology offers a reasonable estimation of water use in the determination of water balance for land water resources planning, vegetation management and impact assessments of rehabilitation.
Purification and Initial Characterization of 3-Hydroxybenzoate 6-Hydroxylase From a Halophilic Martelella Strain AD-3

3-Hydroxybenzoate 6-hydroxylase, an NADH-dependent flavoprotein, can convert 3-hydroxybenzoate which is an important intermediate in the biodegradation of many aromatic hydrocarbons. 3-Hydroxybenzoate is metabolized by entering the TCA cycle through the gentisate pathway. We found a putative 3HB6H gene from a cluster that potentially encodes for gentisic acid degradation from a halophilic Martelella sp. strain AD-3. The corresponding protein was expressed with an N-terminal His-tag and purified by Ni2+-nitrilotriacetic acid affinity chromatography. The protein showed an overexpressed band of about 46 kDa by SDS–PAGE, and it was also proven that the enzyme contains FAD by absorption spectroscopy and HPLC analysis. The optimal activity of 3HB6H from strain AD-3 was observed in phosphate buffer (pH 8.0) at 37°C without salinity (NaCl) and metal salts. The Km values of 3-hydroxybenzoate 6-hydroxylase were determined to be 72.6 ± 10.1 μM and 104.1 ± 18.2 μM for 400 μM NADH and 3-hydroxybenzoate, respectively. Site-directed mutagenesis showed that residues 305, 306 and 308 are important for FAD binding. In addition, we found that Tyr221 and Gln305 of 3HB6H from strain AD-3 are involved in substrate binding.
Enrichment Strategies for Identification and Characterization of Phosphoproteome

Phosphorylation upon protein is well known to a key regulator that implicates in modulating many cellular processes like growth, migration, and differentiation. Up to date, grafting of multidimensional separation techniques onto advanced mass spectrometry (MS) has emerged as a promising tool for figuring out the biological functions of phosphorylation in a cell. How- ever, advanced MS-based phosphoproteomics is still challenging, due to its intrinsic issues, i.e., low stoichiometry, less suscepti- bility in positive ion mode, and low abundance in biological sample. To overcome these bottlenecks, diverse techniques (e.g., SCX, HILIC, ERLIC, IMAC, TiO2, etc.) are continuously developed for on-/off-line enrichment of phosphorylated protein (or peptide) from biological samples, thereby helping qualitative/quantitative determination of phosphorylated protein and its phos- phorylated sites. In this review, we introduce to the overall views of enrichment tools that are universally used to selectively iso- late targeted phosphorylated protein (or peptide) from ordinary ones before MS-based phospoproteomic analysis.
The effects of spectral smearing and elevated thresholds on speech-in-noise recognition in simulated electric-acoustic hearing

Abstract Combined electric-acoustic stimulation (EAS) via hybrid cochlear implants is a relatively new treatment for severe-profound sloping high-frequency hearing loss. Residual acoustic hearing at low frequencies is a vital component of EAS, but it cannot be assumed that residual hearing will be normal; thresholds may be elevated, frequency selectivity may have decreased, or both. In this study, the effects of reduced frequency selectivity and elevated low-frequency thresholds on the intelligibility of speech in noise were simulated. Sentences mixed with a babble masker were processed by an eight-channel vocoder. Residual low-frequency hearing was simulated by replacing the first four channels with the unprocessed acoustic stimulus, with a spectrally smeared stimulus, or with a spectrally smeared and attenuated stimulus. These conditions simulated listening by cochlear implant users with no residual hearing, with normal residual hearing, or with various degrees of impaired residual hearing. Simulating normal residual hearing increased intelligibility, compared to the intelligibility of fully vocoded speech. Low-frequency spectral smearing with filters three or six times broader than normal had little effect on intelligibility. A simulated threshold shift of 60 dB, combined with factor-of-three spectral smearing, significantly decreased intelligibility, but 30 dB of simulated threshold shift did not. These results are consistent with previous results demonstrating the effect of good residual low-frequency hearing on intelligibility. They are also consistent with the use of amplification for individuals who use EAS but have poorer residual hearing.
Determination of rotation periods in solar‐like stars with irregular sampling: the Gaia case

We present a study on the determination of rotation periods (P) of solar-like stars from the photometric irregular time sampling of the European Space Agency Gaia mission, currently scheduled for launch in 2013, taking into account its dependence on ecliptic coordinates. We examine the case of solar twins as well as thousands of synthetic time series of solar-like stars rotating faster than the Sun. In the case of solar twins, we assume that the Gaia unfiltered photometric passband G will mimic the variability of the total solar irradiance as measured by the Variability of solar IRradiance and Gravity Oscillations (VIRGO) experiment. For stars rotating faster than the Sun, light curves are simulated using synthetic spectra for the quiet atmosphere, the spots and the faculae combined by applying semi-empirical relationships relating the level of photospheric magnetic activity to the stellar rotation and the Gaia instrumental response. The capabilities of the Deeming, LombScargle and phase dispersion minimization methods in recovering the correct rotation periods are tested and compared. The false alarm probability is computed using Monte Carlo simulations and compared with analytical formulae. The Gaia scanning law makes the rate of correct detection of rotation periods strongly dependent on the ecliptic latitude (beta). We find that for P? 1 d, the rate of correct detection increases with beta from 2030 per cent at beta? 0 to a peak of 70 per cent at beta= 45 degrees; then it abruptly falls below 10 per cent at beta > 45 degrees. For P > 5 d, the rate of correct detection is quite low and for solar twins is only 5 per cent on average.
The role of disturbance in maintaining diversity of benthic macroalgal assemblages in southwestern Australia

* To whom correspondence should be addressed. Email: garyk@cyllene.uwa. edu.au Communicating editor: Dr. Akira Kurashima Received 9 September 2002. Accepted 25 January 2003. Proceedings of Algae 2002, (Joint Conference of 26th Annual and 50th Anniversary Congress of Japanese Society of Phycology and 3rd Asian Pacific Phycological Forum), Tsukuba, Japan, 19-24 July, 2002. The paper was reviewed by two anonymous reviewers and the editors. SUMMARY
Physiological stress in the smalltooth sawfish: effects of ontogeny, capture method, and habitat quality

Similar to other elasmobranchs, the smalltooth sawfish Pristis pectinata is slow growing, matures late in life, and produces relatively few young, all factors that have contributed to its sensitivity to dramatic population declines from overfishing and habitat loss. Currently, the physiological stress response of these fish to capture or to other physiological challenges such as habitat loss, climatic changes, or pollution is unknown. In the absence of these data, conservation plans may be less effective, making populations susceptible to further declines. We examined basic stress physiology over ontogeny and as a function of capture using different fishing gears. We also examined stress parameters to test whether degraded habitat and water quality from altered habitats may have resulted in chronic stress in juveniles. Results suggested that the stress response to capture by all methods was low, particularly for blood lactate, compared to other elasmobranchs examined to date. Metabolic stress was found to change over ontogeny, with young of the year (YOY) eliciting the highest responses. Glucose, pCO2, bicarbonate, potassium, and hematocrit indicated that gillnet capture induced greater stress responses than longline capture. Significantly higher metabolic stress was observed in YOY and juveniles captured in the 2 nurseries most influenced by anthropogenic activities, the Peace and Caloosahatchee rivers, than in the 2 relatively pristine nurseries in Everglades National Park. Overall, the low physiological stress responses to all capture methods investigated in this study suggest that this species is resilient, which should promote optimism for recovery of the population.
Comparison of single and repeated blockade of the greater occipital nerve in migraine treatment

Corresponding Author: Bilgin Öztürk E-mail: drbilgin@gmail.com Submitted: 11 July 2017 Accepted: 24 October 2017 You may cite this article as: Karadaş Ö, Öztürk B, İnan L, İnan N. Comparison of single and repeated blockade of the greater occipital nerve in migraine treatment. Neurol Sci Neurophysiol 2018; 35: 97-101. Abstract Objective: Migraine is a neurovascular syndrome that can be triggered by several conditions such as increased stress levels, sleep disorders, some foods, hormonal abnormalities, and weather changes. In this study, the efficacy of single and repetitive greater occipital nerve blockade on patients with migraine were investigated.
Movement intention detection from SEMG signals using time-domain features and discriminant analysis classifiers

Surface electromyographic (SEMG) signals are widely used as inputs for the controllers of upper limb prostheses. The purpose of this paper is to assess several timedomain features used as inputs for two classifiers implemented using linear and quadratic discriminant analysis. Four movements of the forearm were classified using several combinations of features for each type of classifier. The best recognition rate of 95% was obtained for a linear discriminant analysis classifier.
CYTOTOXIC AND ANTIGEN PRESENTING CELLS, AND NON-BASEMENT MEMBRANE ZONE PATHOLOGY IN A CASE OF BULLOUS PEMPHIGOID

Background: When performing direct and indirect skin immunofluorescence (DIF, IIF) in bullous pemphigoid (BP) utilizing single fluorophores such as fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC), the presence of ”background” fluorescence is commonly described. Aim of reporting this case: Our laboratory has noted that what is termed “background” could represent a complex immune response in BP, that may be present in addition to the classical deposits of immunoglobulins and/or complement at the dermal/epidermal basement membrane zone (BMZ). Therefore, we simultaneously used multiple colored fluorophores to further investigate this possibility. Case Report: A 68-year-old male was evaluated for the presence of rapidly appearing vesicles and bullae on the chest, with additional pruritus. Methods: Skin biopsies for hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, as well as for DIF, IIF, salt split skin and immunohistochemistry (IHC) analyses were performed. Results: H&E staining demonstrated a subepidermal blistering disorder. Within the dermis, a mild, superficial and deep, perivascular infiltrate of lymphocytes, histiocytes and eosinophils was observed. A few infiltrate cells displayed positive DIF staining for CD5, CD8 and CD45 around dermal blood vessels, nerves and eccrine sweat glands. In contradistinction, CD4, CD56 and Granzyme B staining was predominantly negative in these areas. DIF, IIF and salt split skin studies revealed a strong presence of IgG, Complement/C3, IgM and fibrinogen in linear patterns at the BMZ. Around the upper dermal perivascular infiltrate, HAM56 and CD68 positive cells were also noted. Positive DIF staining for CD1a was found suprajacent to the blister in the epidermis. Utilizing identical antibodies, we repeated our staining with the IHC technique, to address the issue of autofluorescence in DIF staining. Our IHC findings correlated with DIF and IIF results. Conclusion: Using multiple DIF fluorophores in this case of BP, we observed autoantibodies to structures such dermal nerves, blood vessels and eccrine sweat glands, that were not appreciated using FITCI alone. We propose the use of this technique in autoimmune skin diseases. In addition, we observed a prominent T cytotoxic cell infiltrate, that warrants further characterization. Streszczenie
Investigation of Lightning Flash Locations in Isolated Convection Using LMA Observations

Using Lightning Mapping Arrays (LMAs), lightning flash locations in three dimensions have been investigated using multiple methods. Approximately 500,000 flashes were analyzed to reveal the variability of lightning initiation and propagation within convective storms. These flashes were produced by over 4,000 isolated convective storms during one warm season across diverse weather regimes in northern Alabama, Washington, D.C., central Oklahoma, and northeastern Colorado. Lightning locations are analyzed within the context of radar reflectivities and examined for vertical variability. Results show that storms in Colorado preferentially produced flashes at lower altitudes and in regions of higher reflectivity compared to the other regions. The regional differences in flash altitudes are largely attributed to the prevalence of anomalous polarity storms (middle‐ or low‐level dominant positive charge) in Colorado, as anomalous storms produced a majority of flashes at lower altitudes compared to storms with normal polarity charge structures (middle‐level negative charge). Conversely, anomalous storms are exceedingly rare in the other regions of study. The differences in flash altitudes are coincident with discrepancies between annual average densities estimated by satellite observations and LMA. Specifically, large differences in annual average flash density estimates exist in northeastern Colorado, which are not present in the other regions, suggesting that the lower altitude flashes in Colorado may be more difficult to detect by satellites.
6-alpha-Glucanotransferase , a Novel Enzyme That Structurally and Functionally Provides an Evolutionary Link between Glycoside Hydrolase Enzyme Families

Citation for published version (APA): Kralj, S. , Grijpstra, P., van Leeuwen, S. S. , Leemhuis, H. , Dobruchowska, J. M. , van der Kaaij, R. M. , . Dijkhuizen, L. (2011). 4,6-alpha-Glucanotransferase, a Novel Enzyme That Structurally and Functionally Provides an Evolutionary Link between Glycoside Hydrolase Enzyme Families 13 and 70. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 77(22), 8154-8163. DOI: 10.1128/AEM.05735-11
Variations on a theme - the evolution of hydrocarbon solids:

Context. The compositional properties of hydrogenated amorphous carbons are known to evolve in response to the local conditions. Aims. To present a model for low-temperature, amorphous hydrocarbon solids, based on the microphysical properties of random and defected networks of carbon and hydrogen atoms, that can be used to study and predict the evolution of their propertie s in the interstellar medium. Methods. We adopt an adaptable and prescriptive approach to model these materials, which is based on a random covalent network (RCN) model, extended here to a full compositional derivation (the eRCN model), and a defective graphite (DG) model for the hydrogen poorer materials where the eRCN model is no longer valid. Results. We provide simple expressions that enable the determination of the structural, infrared and spectral properties of amo rphous hydrocarbon grains as a function of the hydrogen atomic fraction, XH. Structural annealing, resulting from hydrogen atom loss, results in a transition from H-rich, aliphatic-rich to H-poor, arom atic-rich materials. Conclusions. The model predicts changes in the optical properties of hydrogenated amorphous carbon dust in response to the likely UV photon-driven and/or thermal annealing processes resulting, principally, fr om the radiation field in the environment. We show how this dust component will evolve, compositionally and structurally in the interstellar medium in response to the loc al conditions.
Implementation of Multilayer Fifth-Order Generalized Integrator-Based Adaptive Control for Grid-Tied Solar PV Energy Conversion System

This paper presents an adaptive control approach based on a novel multilayer fifth-order generalized integrator (MFOGI) and single-input fuzzy-tuned proportional-integral (PI) controller for single-phase two-stage grid-connected partially shaded solar photovoltaic (PV) system, where the global maximum power point (GMPP) is tracked by using a novel human psychology optimization (HPO) algorithm. The MFOGI is used to extract the fundamental component from the grid voltage, even when the grid voltage is characterized by undervoltage, overvoltage, severe harmonics distortion, frequency variations, direct current (dc) offset, etc., on a wide range. Moreover, the single-input fuzzy-tuned PI controller is used for online PI controller gains tuning during different disturbances and dynamic conditions. To ensure a fast dynamic response, a PV feed-forward component is also included in the control algorithm as well as HPO is developed for quick GMPP tracking (GMPPT). The proposed control is modeled and simulated in MATLAB platform, as well as tested on a developed prototype in the laboratory. During simulation and testing, overvoltage, undervoltage, severe harmonics distortion, and dc offset in grid voltage, as well as insolation and temperature variations on PV array are considered. The total harmonic distortions in grid current, during the different complex disturbances and dynamic situations, are found very less, in comparison to the state-of-the-art techniques and IEEE-519 standard, as well as due to the HPO algorithm, the GMPPT time is very less, which shows the superiority over state-of-the-art techniques.
Effect of Physical Activity During Pregnancy on Birth Outcomes in Mothers Presenting at the Antenatal Clinic of De Soysa Maternity Hospital, Colombo 08

According to national recommendations women should be physically active during pregnancy. The relation between physical activity during gestation and pregnancy outcomes in Sri Lankan women is poorly understood. The present study assessed whether, in a general obstetric population, prenatal physical activity affects birth outcomes. A cohort of 78 pregnant mothers was carried out from mean gestational age of 217 days, until the time of delivery. 18 to 35 age, singleton, primigravid pregnancies, were randomly assigned from the prenatal outpatient care at De Soysa Maternity Hospital, Colombo 08. Physical activity level was determined using an interviewer administrated questionnaire. Gestational age, infant birth weight, labor pain, mode of delivery and duration of labor were adopted as outcome criteria. Chi Square Test was performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 17.0 version. The occurrence of emergency caesarean delivery was significantly related to the prenatal physical activity level. (p = 0.015). Mildly active women were observed to have a greater risk.All other outcomes assessed were statistically unrelated to the level of physical activity in gestation. In light of the obtained results, physical activity during pregnancy does not appear to significantly influence the birth outcomes, except in terms of mode of delivery.
Haptic Feedback Effects on Human Control of a UAV in a Remote Teleoperation Flight Task

The remote manual teleoperation of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) by a human operator creates a human-in-the loop system that is of great concern. In a remote teleoperation task, a human pilot must make control decisions based upon sensory information provided by the governed system. Often, this information consists of limited visual feedback provided by onboard cameras that do not provide an operator with an accurate portrayal of their immediate surroundings compromising the safety of the mobile robot. Due to this shortfall, haptic force feedback is often provided to the human in an effort to increase their perceptual awareness of the surrounding world. To investigate the effects of this additional sensory information provided to the human operator, we consider two haptic force feedback strategies. They were designed to provide either an attractive force to influence control behavior towards a reference trajectory along a flight path, or a repulsive force directing operators away from obstacles to prevent collision. Subject tests were conducted where human operators manually operated a remote UAV through a corridor environment under the conditions of the two strategies. For comparison, the conditions of no haptic feedback and the liner combination of both attractive and repulsive strategies were included in the study. Experimental results dictate that haptic force feedback in general (including both attractive and repulsive force feedback) improves the average distance from surrounding obstacles up to 21%. Further statistical comparison of repulsive and attractive feedback modalities reveal that even though a repulsive strategy is based directly on obstacles, an attractive strategy towards a reference trajectory is more suitable across all performance metrics. To further examine the effects of haptic aides in a UAV teleoperation task, the behavior of the human system as part of the control loop was also investigated. Through a novel device placed ii on the end effector of the haptic device, human-haptic interaction forces were captured and further analyzed. With this information, system identification techniques were carried out to determine the plausibility of deriving a human control model for the system. By defining lateral motion as a onedimensional compensatory tracking task the results show that general human control behavior can be identified where lead compensation in invoked to counteract second-order UAV dynamics.