Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hypertonicity in Children with Cerebral Palsy: a New Perspective

Objectives: Hypertonicity is a major problem in children with cerebral palsy that has not been explained effectively to address clinical decision making. Therefore, this article aims to provide a theoretical framework about hypertonicity for clinicians, rehabilitation and medical practitioners to be used in their practice. Methods: Literature was reviewed to examine the new perspectives towards the hypertonicity and its signs and symptoms. Then, these symptoms were scrutinized to identify various aspects of the phenomena. Results: The results of this review revealed various components of hypertonicity, including neural and biomechanical. Neural component was also classified into positive and negative symptoms. These components altogether influence gross and fine motor function and consequently disturb children in their daily activities. Conclusion: Using term “spasticity” is not definitively enough to explain various aspects of the affected persons. Therefore, the term “hypertonicity” appears to be much appropriate to be used by professions in their daily practices. Furthermore, to have a very effective intervention, practitioners should consider all various signs and symptoms of hypertonicity that are explained in this review.
Image Processing Applications for Geologic Mapping

The use of satellite data, particularly Landsat images, for geologic mapping provides the geologist with a powerful tool. The digital format of these data permits applications of image processing to extract or enhance information useful for mapping purposes. Examples are presented of lithologic classification using texture measures, automatic lineament detection and structural analysis, and use of registered multisource satellite data. In each case, the additional mapping information provided relative to the particular treatment is evaluated. The goal is to provide the geologist with a range of processing techniques adapted to specific mapping problems.
Ototoxic Substances at the Workplace: a Brief Update

Ototoxic Substances at the Workplace: a Brief Update Ototoxic chemicals can impair the sense of hearing and balance. Lately, efforts have been intensified to compile evidence-based lists of workplace agents with ototoxic properties. This article gives a rough overview of the latest relevant publications, which confirm that toluene, styrene, and lead should receive particular attention as ototoxic substances at the workplace. Moreover, there is sufficient evidence that occupational exposure to trichloroethylene, mercury, carbon monoxide, and carbon disulfide can affect the ear. Based on the existing information, industrial hygienists should make sure that occupational health professionals and the workforce are made aware of the risks posed by ototoxic substances; support their replacement or new technical measures to reduce exposure; make these substances a part of regular screening, develop tools that can early diagnose chemically induced hearing impairment, and investigate further into the ototoxic properties of these substances. Further research should focus on quantifying the combined effects of ototoxic substances and noise. Ototoksične tvari na radnom mjestu: kratak uvid u stanje Ototoksične kemikalije mogu narušiti osjetilo sluha i ravnotežu. Nedavno su uloženi dodatni napori u izradu znanstveno utemeljenih popisa tvari koje su prisutne na radnom mjestu, a koje imaju ototoksična svojstva. Ovaj rad daje kratak uvid u najnovije publikacije objavljene na ovu temu. Usporedba navedenih publikacija potvrđuje da bi toluen, stiren i olovo trebalo razmatrati kao izrazito bitne ototoksične tvari koje postoje na radnom mjestu. Nadalje, postoje dovoljni dokazi koji potvrđuju da ototoksične tvari poput trikloretilena, žive, ugljikova monoksida i disulfida u radnom okruženju mogu oštetiti sluh. Temeljem postojećih informacija stručnjaci u području higijene rada trebali bi upozoravati stručnjake u području medicine rada i same radnike na rizike koje ototoksične tvari predstavljaju; poticati ih na zamjenu takvih tvari ili uvođenje novih mjera za smanjenje izlaganja; uključiti ototoksične tvari u redoviti program praćenja i osmisliti mjere za rano otkrivanje oštećenja sluha zbog izloženosti kemijskim tvarima; dodatno istražiti ototoksična svojstva ovih tvari. Buduća istraživanja trebala bi se usredotočiti na izračun ukupnih učinaka ototoksičnih tvari i buke.
Seasonal Differences in the Effect of Isolation and Restraint Stress on the Luteinizing Hormone Response to Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone in Hypothalamopituitary Disconnected, Gonadectomized Rams and Ewes1

Abstract Stress responses are thought to act within the hypothalamopituitary unit to impair the reproductive system, and the sites of action may differ between sexes. The effect of isolation and restraint stress on pituitary responsiveness to GnRH in sheep was investigated, with emphasis on possible sex differences. Experiments were conducted during the breeding season and the nonbreeding season. In both experiments, 125 ng of GnRH was injected i.v. every 2 h into hypothalamopituitary disconnected, gonadectomized rams and ewes on 3 experimental days, with each day divided into two periods. During the second period on Day 2, isolation and restraint stress was imposed for 5.5 h. Plasma concentrations of LH and cortisol were measured in samples of blood collected from the jugular vein. In the second experiment (nonbreeding season), plasma concentrations of epinephrine, norepinephrine, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine, and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylglycol were also measured. In both experiments, there was no effect of isolation and restraint stress on plasma concentrations of cortisol in either sex. During the breeding season, there was no effect of isolation and restraint stress on plasma concentrations of LH in either sex. During the nonbreeding season, the amplitude of the first LH pulse after the commencement of stress was significantly reduced (P < 0.05) in rams and ewes. In the second experiment, during stress there was a significant increase (P < 0.05) in plasma concentrations of epinephrine in rams and ewes and significantly higher (P < 0.05) basal concentrations of norepinephrine in ewes than in rams. These results suggest that in sheep stress reduces responsiveness of the pituitary gland to exogenous GnRH during the nonbreeding season but not during the breeding season, possibly because of mediators of the stress response other than those of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal gland axis.
Biomolecular dynamics: order–disorder transitions and energy landscapes

While the energy landscape theory of protein folding is now a widely accepted view for understanding how relatively weak molecular interactions lead to rapid and cooperative protein folding, such a framework must be extended to describe the large-scale functional motions observed in molecular machines. In this review, we discuss (1) the development of the energy landscape theory of biomolecular folding, (2) recent advances toward establishing a consistent understanding of folding and function and (3) emerging themes in the functional motions of enzymes, biomolecular motors and other biomolecular machines. Recent theoretical, computational and experimental lines of investigation have provided a very dynamic picture of biomolecular motion. In contrast to earlier ideas, where molecular machines were thought to function similarly to macroscopic machines, with rigid components that move along a few degrees of freedom in a deterministic fashion, biomolecular complexes are only marginally stable. Since the stabilizing contribution of each atomic interaction is on the order of the thermal fluctuations in solution, the rigid body description of molecular function must be revisited. An emerging theme is that functional motions encompass order–disorder transitions and structural flexibility provides significant contributions to the free energy. In this review, we describe the biological importance of order–disorder transitions and discuss the statistical–mechanical foundation of theoretical approaches that can characterize such transitions.
A data mining framework for electric load profiling

This paper consists in the characterization of medium voltage (MV) electric power consumers based on a data clustering approach. It is intended to identify typical load profiles by selecting the best partition of a power consumption database among a pool of data partitions produced by several clustering algorithms. The best partition is selected using several cluster validity indices. These methods are intended to be used in a smart grid environment to extract useful knowledge about customers' behavior. The data-mining-based methodology presented throughout the paper consists in several steps, namely the pre-processing data phase, clustering algorithms application and the evaluation of the quality of the partitions. To validate our approach, a case study with a real database of 1.022 MV consumers was used.
Model of optimal current feeding in zooplankton

Zooplankton feeding formulations in plankton models have exclusively focused on the relation between food concentration and ingestion, with respiration and excretion being treated separately, despite experimental evidence for strong links among these processes. We present an optimal current-feeding model linking ingestion, respiration, and assimilation efficiency to foraging activity. The Ivlev model is a special case of our optimal current-feeding model, which applies to static feeding behaviour. We validate our model with experimental data for copepods, ciliates, and dinoflagellates. Parameter estimates suggest that phylogenetic grouping is more important than predator size in determining feeding behaviour. Respiratory costs of foraging, e.g. for generating a feeding current, may be much larger than previously thought, are larger in smaller organisms, and might explain the independent development of feeding thresholds in different micro- and mesozooplankton groups. Both preferential feeding on, and lower feeding thresholds for, larger food particles are predicted to derive from greater capture efficiency owing to enhanced detectability of larger particles. The relation between feeding threshold and prey size appears to depend on feeding strategy but not on predator size, as a common relationship seems to apply for current feeders (ciliates and copepods) spanning a vast size range. Our model exhibits an inverse relationship between ingestion and assimilation efficiency, reducing the contribution of copepods to export of organic matter relative to remineralisation at low food concentrations. Export ratio variations previously thought to require strong shifts in community composition can be generated by changes in feeding behaviour predicted by our model.
Angiostatin decreases cell migration and vascular endothelium growth factor (VEGF) to pigment epithelium derived factor (PEDF) RNA ratio in vitro and in a murine ocular melanoma model.

PURPOSE Our previous experiments have shown that low dose angiostatin results in decreased hepatic micrometastasis in a mouse model of uveal melanoma. The purpose of these experiments is to evaluate the effect of angiostatin on in vitro migration of melanoma cells and to explore the in vivo mechanism of angiostatin in our model. METHODS For in vitro studies, quantitative RT-PCR was used to detect VEGF and PEDF mRNA in mouse B16LS9 melanoma cells and Mel290 human uveal melanoma cells with or without supplemental 0.1 mug/ml murine or human recombinant angiostatin. A wound healing assay was used to measure cellular migration in these two groups of cells. For the in vivo mechanism, aliquots of tissue culture B16LS9 cells treated with or without 0.1 mug/ml murine angiostatin were heterotopically inoculated into the posterior compartments of the right eyes of C57BL/6 mice. Frozen hepatic tissue was prepared and stained with hematoxylin using an RNase-free technique. Hepatic micrometastatic uveal melanoma cells were obtained by laser capture microdissection (LCM). Levels of VEGF and PEDF mRNA were detected by real time RT-PCR in the hepatic micrometastases. RESULTS After in vitro treatment of the cell lines with angiostatin, the ratio of VEGF/PEDF mRNA significantly decreased in the B16LS9 (0.88+/-0.11 [mean+/-standard deviation] versus 2.70+/-0.15 in the control group; p=0.00006) and Mel290 (0.12+/-0.02 versus 0.68+/-0.04 in the control group; p=0.00346). However, the absolute VEGF mRNA and PEDF mRNA did not significantly change (p>0.08 for both cell lines). The migration assay showed significantly decreased migration at 24 h and 48 h after angiostatin treatment for both B16LS9 (p<0.01) and Mel290 (p<0.01) cell lines. For the in vivo experiments, pretreatment with angiostatin resulted in a decreased VEGF/PEDF mRNA ratio in B16LS9 cells compared to controls (0.0274+/-0.0070 versus 0.1726+/-0.0313; p=0.0014). Additionally, there was significantly increased PEDF mRNA (2.14+/-0.12 versus 0.30+/-0.05 in the control group; p=0.00002) in the liver metastases after pretreatment with angiostatin. CONCLUSIONS Angiostatin inhibits the migration of melanoma cells in vitro. Angiostatin significantly decreases the ratio of VEGF/PEDF mRNA level in vitro and in hepatic micrometastatic melanoma cells. Angiostatin increases PEDF mRNA in melanoma metastases.
GUIDED MARS BALLOON PLATFORMS

We outline a new Mars exploration concept for guided balloons that integrates balloon flight path guidance and autonomous navigation and control. These balloon platforms could observe Mars in collaboration with orbiters and surface rovers on global scales. We summarize the overall system concept, show how these balloons can be guided, and describe potential science mission scenarios illustrated with an example trajectory simulation using realistic systems and winds. We also discuss some of the system aspects of autonomous balloon platforms for Mars, in particular, entry, deployment and inflation (EDI).
Cooling of the urinary bladder activates neurons in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord

Although visceral innocuous cold receptors have been documented, the central termination of their afferents is unknown. We used menthol solution (0.6 mM) to obtain selective activation of cold receptors in the urinary bladder of rats. Innocuous cold stimulation induced Fos expression in a population of neurons in the superficial dorsal horn of L6–S1 segments of the spinal cord. Neurons in other regions of the spinal cord, e.g. the lumbar parasympathetic nucleus or the dorsal commissure region, were activated to a similar degree by menthol and control infusions, indicating a response to bladder filling. Our results are consistent with the proposal that subsets of modality-specific dorsal horn neurons convey specific information regarding the exteroceptive and interoceptive state of the animal.
A patient with Edwards syndrome caused by a rare pseudodicentric chromosome 18 of paternal origin

We present an unusual case of trisomy 18 due to a pseudodicentric chromosome 18 of paternal origin. The karyotype was: 46,XY,—18, + psu dic(18)(qter→cen→p11.31::p11.31→psucen→qter). The origin of the abnormal chromosome was verified by FISH with a painting probe from chromosome 18. Absence of short‐arm telomeres was shown by multicolor FISH, and the results of DNA analysis showed monosomy for loci D18S59 and D18S170 as well as paternal inheritance of the aberrant chromosome. The child's phenotype was characteristic of trisomy 18.
Influence of TNT transformation on microbial community structure in four different lake microcosms

After World War II, large amounts of obsolete ammunition were dumped in various lakes in Sweden. Trinitrotoluene, TNT, was one of the main components of the dumped explosives. In this study, four different lake microcosms originating from lakes where relatively large amounts of ammunition were dumped were used to mimic the effect of TNT release on the natural microbial community. Increased microbial growth was found in lake microcosms amended with TNT. However, negligible mineralization of TNT was detected, suggesting that TNT was not utilized as a carbon source, but as a nitrogen source. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis indicated that the TNT induced no significant differences in microbial community composition and therefore, no major changes in natural selection, despite the increased microbial growth in the presence of the compound. More than 95% of the added TNT bound irreversibly to the sediments, possibly as a result of microbial transformation to reactive metabolites that subsequently bound covalently to components of the sediment. The results, taken together, suggest that no permanent change in the microbial ecology occurred as a result of the TNT amendment. This was probably due partly to the transient exposure of the microbial communities to the TNT before it became irreversibly bound to the sediment, and partly to the fact that TNT was not a primary growth substrate that strongly affects natural selection.
Horticulture Exports, Agro-Industrialization and Farm-Nonfarm Linkages with the Smallholder Farm Sector: Evidence from Senegal

In this paper we address the question of farm-nonfarm linkages at the household level for a case-study in Senegal. We examine whether increasing off-farm employment opportunities for rural households ? resulting from increased horticulture exports and associated agro-industrialization ? has benefitted the smallholder farm sector through investment linkages. We use data from a household survey in the main horticulture export region in Senegal. We find that access to unskilled employment in the export agro-industry has contributed to alleviation farmers? liquidity constraints, resulting in increased smallholder agricultural production.
Di-μ-chlorido-bis{[2-(benzyliminomethyl)pyridine-κ2 N,N′]chloridomercury(II)} dichloridomercury(II)

The HgII ion in the title centrosymmetric dinuclear complex, [Hg2Cl4(C13H12N2)2]·[HgCl2], adopts a distorted square-pyramidal geometry, being coordinated by the bis-chelating N-heterocyclic ligand, two bridging Cl atoms and one terminal Cl atom. One of the bridging Hg—Cl bonds [2.8428 (11) Å] is significantly longer than the other [2.5327 (10) Å]. In the crystal, there are weak π–π interactions [centroid–centroid distance = 3.630 (3) Å] between the aromatic rings of the discrete units. The HgCl2 adduct molecule is located on an inversion centre and has an Hg—Cl bond length of 2.2875 (11) Å.
Primary reading epilepsy: a misnomer.

It has been demonstrated in a young man who develops seizure activity during reading, talking, and writing that the characteristic myoclonic jaw jerks and electroencephalographic spike wave discharges are induced and maintained by movements of articulation and mastication and that visual and ocular movements have no significance in the pathogenesis of this disorder. No appreciable latency exists between the spike wave discharge and myoclonic jaw jerk suggesting that both are triggered by a common paroxysmal focus. These observations and others previously reported are discussed and possible pathogenetic mechanisms considered.
Characterization of Coding Regions of the Myostatin Gene ( GDF 8 ) from Bakerwal Goats ( Capra hircus ) and Comparison with the Sheep ( Ovis aries ) Sequence

The Bakerwal breed of goat in Kashmir valley is a good meat purpose breed of goat. That attains an appreciable body weight under a low input production system. As these goats are mainly reared by Gujjar and Bakarwal tribes of the J & K state, so they usually are fed with the weeds, herbs, shrubs and grasses of pastures that will otherwise go waste. These goats constitute the main livestock wealth. With the good productive and reproductive potential, it makes these animals an important animal protein source for developing countries like India. The myostatin gene (GDF8) is important in the physiology of stock animals because its product produces a direct effect on muscle development and consequently also on meat production. The myostatin sequence is known in several mammalian species and shows a high degree of amino acid sequence conservation, although several alterations in the intron and exon regions have been identified. The objective of our work is to characterize the myostatin coding regions using gene sequencing and polymerase chain reaction methods of Capra hircus (Bakerwal breed) and to compare them with the Ovis aries and other livestock species of animal, looking for variations in nucleotide and protein sequences. As mutations in the myostatin gene can inactivate its expression and result in a non-functional protein, which leads to increase in muscle growth in many species. In this way, we Corresponding author.
Real-time construction and visualisation of drift-free video mosaics from unconstrained camera motion

This work proposes a novel approach for real-time video mosaicking facilitating drift-free mosaic construction and visualisation, with integrated frame blending and redundancy management, that is shown to be flexible to a range of varying mosaic scenarios. The approach supports unconstrained camera motion with in-sequence loop closing, variation in camera focal distance (zoom) and recovery from video sequence breaks. Real-time performance, over extended duration sequences, is realised via novel aspects of frame management within the mosaic representation and thus avoiding the high data redundancy associated with temporally dense, spatially overlapping video frame inputs. This managed set of image frames is visualised in real time using a dynamic mosaic representation of overlapping textured graphics primitives in place of the traditional globally constructed, and hence frequently reconstructed, mosaic image. Within this formulation, subsequent optimisation occurring during online construction can thus efficiency adjust relative frame positions via simple primitive position transforms. Effective visualisation is similarly facilitated by online inter-frame blending to overcome the illumination and colour variance associated with modern camera hardware. The evaluation illustrates overall robustness in video mosaic construction under a diverse range of conditions including indoor and outdoor environments, varying illumination and presence of in-scene motion on varying computational platforms.
Bacterial Valvular Endocarditis in a Black Bear from Labrador

In fall 1991, a radio-collared black bear (Ursus americanus) in northern Labrador (Canada) died from valvular endocarditis caused by coagulase-positive Staphylococcus aureus, with widespread dissemination of the infection to other organs shortly before death. Apparently, this is the first reported case of bacterial valvular endocarditis in a wild black bear.