Bradykinesia in dystonic hand tremor: kinematic analysis and clinical rating

IntroductionBradykinesia is an essential diagnostic criterion for Parkinson’s disease (PD) but is frequently observed in many non-parkinsonian movement disorders, complicating differential diagnosis, particularly in disorders featuring tremors. The presence of bradykinetic features in the subset of dystonic tremors (DT), either “pure” dystonic tremors or tremors associated with dystonia, remains currently unexplored. The aim of the current study was to evaluate upper limb bradykinesia in DT patients, comparing them with healthy controls (HC) and patients with PD by observing repetitive finger tapping (FT).MethodsThe protocol consisted of two main parts. Initially, the kinematic recording of repetitive FT was performed using optical hand tracking system (Leap Motion Controller). The values of amplitude, amplitude decrement, frequency, frequency decrement, speed, acceleration and number of halts of FT were calculated. Subsequently, three independent movement disorder specialists from different movement disorders centres, blinded to the diagnosis, rated the presence of FT bradykinesia based on video recordings.ResultsThirty-six subjects participated in the study (12 DT, 12 HC and 12 early-stage PD). Kinematic analysis revealed no significant difference in the selected parameters of FT bradykinesia between DT patients and HC. In comparisons between DT and PD patients, PD patients exhibited bigger amplitude decrement and slower FT performance. In the blinded clinical assessment, bradykinesia was rated, on average, as being present in 41.6% of DT patients, 27.7% of HC, and 91.7% of PD patients. While overall inter-rater agreement was moderate, weak agreement was noted within the DT group.DiscussionClinical ratings indicated signs of bradykinesia in almost half of DT patients. The objective kinematic analysis confirmed comparable parameters between DT and HC individuals, with more pronounced abnormalities in PD across various kinematic parameters. Interpretation of bradykinesia signs in tremor patients with DT should be approached cautiously and objective motion analysis might complement the diagnostic process and serve as a decision support system in the choice of clinical entities

Evidence for Multiple Polytypes of Semiconducting Boron Carbide (C\u3csub\u3e2\u3c/sub\u3eB\u3csub\u3e10\u3c/sub\u3e) from Electronic Structure

Boron carbides fabricated via plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition from different isomeric source compounds with the same C2B10H12 closo-icosa- hedral structure result in materials with very different direct (optical) band gaps. This provides compelling evidence for the existence of multiple polytypes of C2B10 boron carbide and is consistent with electron diffraction results

Arsenic in Cancer Treatment: Challenges for Application of Realgar Nanoparticles (A Minireview)

While intensive efforts have been made for the treatment of cancer, this disease is still the second leading cause of death in many countries. Metastatic breast cancer, late-stage colon cancer, malignant melanoma, multiple myeloma, and other forms of cancer are still essentially incurable in most cases. Recent advances in genomic technologies have permitted the simultaneous evaluation of DNA sequence-based alterations together with copy number gains and losses. The requirement for a multi-targeting approach is the common theme that emerges from these studies. Therefore, the combination of new targeted biological and cytotoxic agents is currently under investigation in multimodal treatment regimens. Similarly, a combinational principle is applied in traditional Chinese medicine, as formulas consist of several types of medicinal herbs or minerals, in which one represents the principal component, and the others serve as adjuvant ones that assist the effects, or facilitate the delivery, of the principal component. In Western medicine, approximately 60 different arsenic preparations have been developed and used in pharmacological history. In traditional Chinese medicines, different forms of mineral arsenicals (orpiment—As2S3, realgar—As4S4, and arsenolite—arsenic trioxide, As2O3) are used, and realgar alone is included in 22 oral remedies that are recognized by the Chinese Pharmacopeia Committee (2005). It is known that a significant portion of some forms of mineral arsenicals is poorly absorbed into the body, and would be unavailable to cause systemic damage. This review primary focuses on the application of arsenic sulfide (realgar) for treatment of various forms of cancer in vitro and in vivo

Morphological, structural and optical properties of Mg-doped ZnO nanocrystals synthesized using polyol process

У цій роботі, леговані ZnO нанокристали, та легірований Mg (0,5–20,0 ат.%) були синтезовані з використанням поліольного процесу. Також досліджені їх морфологічні, структурні, оптичні властивості, а також їх хімічний склад. Рентгенівська дифракція, передавальна та скануюча електронна мікроскопія, енергодисперсна рентгенографія, Раман та УФ-спектроскопії були використані для ідентифікації ефективного включення атомів Mg у решітку ZnO без утворення вторинних фаз при Mg до 5 ат.%. При більш високому рівні допінгу Mg були виявлені сліди фази Mg(OH)2. Результати виявили зменшення розмірів та погіршення якості кристалів нанокристалів ZnO із збільшенням легування Mg. Нанокристали ZnO втрачають сферичну форму, утворюючи стрижнеподібні та аморфні наноструктури при Mg ≥ 5 ат.%. Раманові спектри підтвердили режими Е2 (високий), Е2 (низький), Е2 (високий) - Е2 (низький), режим А1 (ТО) для недозволених та режим Eu (ТО) для нанокристалів ZnO, легованих Mg. Оптичний зазор знайдено в діапазоні 3,40–3,80 еВ.В этой работе, легированные ZnO нанокристаллы, и легированные Mg (0,5-20,0 ат.%) Были синтезированы с использованием полиольного процесса. Также исследованы их морфологические, структурные, оптические свойства, а также их химический состав. Рентгеновская дифракция, передающая и сканирующая электронная микроскопия, енергодисперсна рентгенография, Раман и УФ-спектроскопии были использованы для идентификации эффективного включения атомов Mg в решетку ZnO без образования вторичных фаз при Mg до 5 ат.%. При более высоком уровне допинга Mg были обнаружены следы фазы Mg (OH) 2. Результаты выявили уменьшение размеров и ухудшение качества кристаллов нанокристаллов ZnO с увеличением легирования Mg. Нанокристаллы ZnO теряют сферическую форму, образуя стрижнеподибни и аморфные наноструктуры при Mg ≥ 5 ат.%. Раман спектры подтвердили режима Е2 (высокий), Е2 (низкий), Е2 (высокий) - Е2 (низкий), режим А1 (ТО) для неразрешенных и режим Eu (ТО) для нанокристаллов ZnO, легированных Mg. Оптический зазор найдено в диапазоне 3,40-3,80 эВ.In this work, the undoped and Mg (0.5–20.0 at.%) doped ZnO nanocrystals have been synthesized using the polyol process and their morphological, structural, optical properties as well as chemical composition have been investigated. X-ray diffraction, transmission and scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray, Raman and UV-vis spectroscopies were used to identify effective incorporation of Mg atoms into ZnO lattice without the formation of secondary phases at Mg up to 5 at.%. At higher Mg doping level, Mg(OH)2 phase traces were evidenced. The results have revealed the reduction of sizes and worsening the crystal quality of ZnO nanocrystals with increase of Mg doping. ZnO nanocrystals lose spherical shape forming the rod-like and amorphous nanostructures at Mg ≥ 5 at.%. Raman spectra have confirmed E2 (high), E2 (low), E2 (high) - E2 (low), A1(TO) modes for undoped, and Eu(TO) mode for Mg-doped ZnO nanocrystals. The optical band gap has been found in the range of 3.40–3.80 eV

Morphological, structural and optical properties of Mg-doped ZnO nanocrystals synthesized using polyol process

У цій роботі, леговані ZnO нанокристали, та легірований Mg (0,5–20,0 ат.%) були синтезовані з використанням поліольного процесу. Також досліджені їх морфологічні, структурні, оптичні властивості, а також їх хімічний склад. Рентгенівська дифракція, передавальна та скануюча електронна мікроскопія, енергодисперсна рентгенографія, Раман та УФ-спектроскопії були використані для ідентифікації ефективного включення атомів Mg у решітку ZnO без утворення вторинних фаз при Mg до 5 ат.%. При більш високому рівні допінгу Mg були виявлені сліди фази Mg(OH)2. Результати виявили зменшення розмірів та погіршення якості кристалів нанокристалів ZnO із збільшенням легування Mg. Нанокристали ZnO втрачають сферичну форму, утворюючи стрижнеподібні та аморфні наноструктури при Mg ≥ 5 ат.%. Раманові спектри підтвердили режими Е2 (високий), Е2 (низький), Е2 (високий) - Е2 (низький), режим А1 (ТО) для недозволених та режим Eu (ТО) для нанокристалів ZnO, легованих Mg. Оптичний зазор знайдено в діапазоні 3,40–3,80 еВ.В этой работе, легированные ZnO нанокристаллы, и легированные Mg (0,5-20,0 ат.%) Были синтезированы с использованием полиольного процесса. Также исследованы их морфологические, структурные, оптические свойства, а также их химический состав. Рентгеновская дифракция, передающая и сканирующая электронная микроскопия, енергодисперсна рентгенография, Раман и УФ-спектроскопии были использованы для идентификации эффективного включения атомов Mg в решетку ZnO без образования вторичных фаз при Mg до 5 ат.%. При более высоком уровне допинга Mg были обнаружены следы фазы Mg (OH) 2. Результаты выявили уменьшение размеров и ухудшение качества кристаллов нанокристаллов ZnO с увеличением легирования Mg. Нанокристаллы ZnO теряют сферическую форму, образуя стрижнеподибни и аморфные наноструктуры при Mg ≥ 5 ат.%. Раман спектры подтвердили режима Е2 (высокий), Е2 (низкий), Е2 (высокий) - Е2 (низкий), режим А1 (ТО) для неразрешенных и режим Eu (ТО) для нанокристаллов ZnO, легированных Mg. Оптический зазор найдено в диапазоне 3,40-3,80 эВ.In this work, the undoped and Mg (0.5–20.0 at.%) doped ZnO nanocrystals have been synthesized using the polyol process and their morphological, structural, optical properties as well as chemical composition have been investigated. X-ray diffraction, transmission and scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray, Raman and UV-vis spectroscopies were used to identify effective incorporation of Mg atoms into ZnO lattice without the formation of secondary phases at Mg up to 5 at.%. At higher Mg doping level, Mg(OH)2 phase traces were evidenced. The results have revealed the reduction of sizes and worsening the crystal quality of ZnO nanocrystals with increase of Mg doping. ZnO nanocrystals lose spherical shape forming the rod-like and amorphous nanostructures at Mg ≥ 5 at.%. Raman spectra have confirmed E2 (high), E2 (low), E2 (high) - E2 (low), A1(TO) modes for undoped, and Eu(TO) mode for Mg-doped ZnO nanocrystals. The optical band gap has been found in the range of 3.40–3.80 eV

Terrestrial Very-Long-Baseline Atom Interferometry:Workshop Summary

This document presents a summary of the 2023 Terrestrial Very-Long-Baseline Atom Interferometry Workshop hosted by CERN. The workshop brought together experts from around the world to discuss the exciting developments in large-scale atom interferometer (AI) prototypes and their potential for detecting ultralight dark matter and gravitational waves. The primary objective of the workshop was to lay the groundwork for an international TVLBAI proto-collaboration. This collaboration aims to unite researchers from different institutions to strategize and secure funding for terrestrial large-scale AI projects. The ultimate goal is to create a roadmap detailing the design and technology choices for one or more km-scale detectors, which will be operational in the mid-2030s. The key sections of this report present the physics case and technical challenges, together with a comprehensive overview of the discussions at the workshop together with the main conclusions

Integration to the Europe : chance for non-member countries economies?

Breve estudio sobre los factores más importantes que han permitido la integración europea y los pasos hacia el proceso de una economía global competitiva, su posición frente al EFTA y los países socialistas de la CEFTA

Acceleration of foreign-trade relations chance for the Czechoslovak economy?

In the course of last two years practically all the European countries connected with a common political perspective during the period of four decades, as well as with the centrally planned character of their economies, have undergone principal changes. While analysts, specialists in national economy and politicians are racking their brains where, i.e. in what direction the economies and politics in this part of the world are developing, and what it will bring for the world economy, just a little space is given to searching for the answer to the question concerning the basic causes for this historical change. Socialist economy found itself in crises in spite of the efforts for its reform which have been going on since the late fifties. None of those reforms. however, managed to produce long-term satisfactory results

Integration to the Europe : chance for non-member countries economies?

Breve estudio sobre los factores más importantes que han permitido la integración europea y los pasos hacia el proceso de una economía global competitiva, su posición frente al EFTA y los países socialistas de la CEFTA