The Protection of Beech Wood (”Fagus Sylvatic”a) against the brown Rot ”Postia Placenta” using Clove (”Eugenia Caryophyllata”) Essential Oil in a Linseed Oil Medium

The present research investigates the antifungal efficiency of clove (Eugenia caryophyllata) essential oil (C-EO) combined with linseed oil (LO) at different concentrations (1%, 5%, 10%) using two types of mycological tests: a qualitative screening test by agar diffusion method and a quantitative mini-block test on treated beech (Fagus sylvatica) wood.The agar diffusion test indicated improved protection of wood should be possible with a mixture of C-EO and LO from a concentration of 5%. In contrast, the mini-block test indicated that wood is partially protect by LO alone and that adding increasing quantities of C-EO gradually reduces this protection.One possible explanation of this unexpected result could be the antioxidant effect of C-EO which could negatively interfere in the oxidative curing process of LO. ESEM investigation revealed the penetration of LO and C-EO/LO mixtures into the wood structure and non-uniform fungal colonization of all the samples exposed to Postia placenta, as well as some characteristic features of consequent wood structure degradation, which was found more advanced for the untreated beech wood samples.

Bilateral actigraphic quantification of upper extremity movement in hemiparetic children with perinatal stroke: a case control study

Background Hemiparetic cerebral palsy impacts millions of people worldwide. Assessment of bilateral motor function in real life remains a major challenge. We evaluated quantification of upper extremity movement in hemiparetic children using bilateral actigraphy. We hypothesized that movement asymmetry correlates with standard motor outcome measures. Methods Hemiparetic and control participants wore bilateral wrist Actiwatch2 (Philips) for 48 h with movement counts recorded in 15-s intervals. The primary outcome was a novel statistic of movement asymmetry, the Actigraphic Movement Asymmetry Index (AMAI). Relationships between AMAI and standard motor outcomes (Assisting Hand Assessment, Melbourne Assessment, and Box and Block Test [BB]) were explored with Pearson or Spearman correlation. Results 30 stroke (mean 11 years 2 months (3 years 10 months); 13 female, 17 male) and 23 control (mean 11 years 1 month (4 years 5 months); 8 female, 15 male) were enrolled. Stroke participants demonstrated higher asymmetry. Correlations between AMAI and standard tests were moderate and strongest during sleep (BB: r = 0.68, p < 0.01). Conclusions Standard tests may not reflect the extent of movement asymmetry during daily life in hemiparetic children. Bilateral actigraphy may be a valuable complementary tool for measuring arm movement, potentially enabling improved evaluation of therapies with a focus on child participation.

The German version of the Stroke Upper Limb Capacity Scale: Translation, cross-cultural adaption and evaluation of its psychometric properties

Objective: To investigate the psychometric properties of a newly developed German version of the Stroke Upper Limb Capacity Scale (SULCS). Design: Prospective cohort study. Setting: Neurorehabilitation clinic. Subjects: Patients after stroke ( n = 50) with moderate to severe upper limb hemiparesis undergoing inpatient rehabilitation. Intervention: Not applicable. Main measures: The SULCS was administered twice by two different raters on the first day of assessments and another time the day after. Additionally the Fugl-Meyer-Assessment, Action Research Arm Test and the Box and Block Test were conducted. Three and six weeks later, the SULCS, Fugl-Meyer-Assessment and Box and Block Test were repeated. Floor and ceiling effects were analyzed. Results: Reliability was demonstrated to be excellent as displayed by weighted kappa of 0.960 (95%-confidence interval: CIκw = 0.808–1.112) for the intra-rater reliability and 0.936 (CIκw = 0.749–1.123) for the inter-rater reliability. High correlations of the SULCS with the Fugl-Meyer-Assessment (ρ = 0.889), Action Research Arm Test (ρ = 0.872), and Box and Block Test (ρ = 0.845; all P < 0.001) confirmed a high convergent validity. The longitudinal validity was determined by a moderate to high correlation of the SULCS and Box and Block Test changes (ρ ⩾ 0.695, P ⩽ 0.001). Although floor effects were observed for the SULCS (16%), they were more substantial for the Action Research Arm Test and the Box and Block Test (>38%). Conclusion: Due to the good to excellent psychometric properties and the low level of floor effects of the German version of the SULCS, the usage for clinical and scientific purposes can be recommended.

Less-Affected Hand Function Is Associated With Independence in Daily Living: A Longitudinal Study Poststroke

Background and Purpose: The upper extremity (UE) ipsilateral to the brain lesion is mildly affected poststroke. It is unclear whether patients perceive this, and the association between less-affected hand function and independence in activities of daily living (ADL) is unknown. We aimed to (1) assess longitudinal changes in function, dexterity, grip strength, and self-perception of the less-affected UE, (2) compare them to the normative data, and (3) determine the association of both UEs to ADL during the first 6 months poststroke. Methods: Consecutive adults following a first stroke were assessed on rehabilitation admission (T1), 6 weeks (T2), and 6 months (T3) poststroke onset. Box and block test assessed function of both UEs. The functional dexterity test (FDT) and Jamar Dynamometer assessed dexterity and grip strength of the less-affected UE. The functional independence measure assessed ADL, and instrumental ADL was assessed at T3. Spearman correlations and multiple regression models were used. Results: Participants were assessed at T1 (N=87), T2 (N=82), and T3 (N=68). At T1, less-affected UE deficits were apparent (median [interquartile range] box and block test-45 [35–53] blocks, FDT-44.5 [33.3–60.8] seconds, grip-25.5 [16.2–33.9] kilograms), but only 19.5% of the participants self-perceived this. Less-affected hand function significantly improved with 32% and 33% achieving a minimal clinically important difference for box and block test at T2 and T3, respectively. Dexterity improved significantly between T1 and T2 ( P <0.001, no established minimal clinically important difference) and grip strength improved significantly between T2 and T3; 3.4% achieving a minimal clinically important difference ( P <0.01). At T3, most participants did not reach the norms (box and block test-67.4 blocks, FDT-32.2 seconds, grip-40.5 kilograms). Both the less- and more-affected UEs explained a large portion of the variance of ADL at all time-points, after controlling for age, days-since-stroke-onset, stroke type, and cognition. Conclusions: Despite some improvement, the less-affected UE at 6 months poststroke remained below norms, explaining difficulties in ADL and instrumental ADL. Further research is needed.

Development and Feasibility of a Kinect-Based Constraint-Induced Therapy Program in the Home Setting for Children With Unilateral Cerebral Palsy

Introduction: Cerebral palsy (CP) is the leading cause of childhood-onset physical disability. Children with CP often have impaired upper limb (UL) function. Constraint-induced therapy (CIT) is one of the most effective UL interventions for children with unilateral CP. However, concerns about CIT for children have been repeatedly raised due to frustration caused by restraint of the child’s less-affected UL and lack of motivation for the intensive protocol. Virtual reality (VR), which can mitigate the disadvantages of CIT, potentially can be used as an alternative mediator for implementing CIT. Therefore, we developed a VR-based CIT program for children with CP using the Kinect system.Aims: The feasibility of the Kinect-based CIT program was evaluated for children with unilateral CP using a two-phase study design.Materials and Methods: In phase 1, ten children with unilateral CP were recruited. To confirm the achievement of the motor training goals, maximal UL joint angles were evaluated during gameplay. To evaluate children’s perceptions of the game, a questionnaire was used. In phase 2, eight children with unilateral CP were recruited and received an 8 weeks Kinect-based CIT intervention. Performance scores of the game and outcomes of the box and block test (BBT) were recorded weekly.Results: In phase 1, results supported that the design of the program was CIT-specific and was motivational for children with unilateral CP. In phase 2, game performance and the BBT scores began showing stable improvements in the fifth week of intervention.Conclusion: It suggested the Kinect-based CIT program was beneficial to the motor function of the affected UL for children with unilateral CP. According to the results of this feasibility study, larger and controlled effectiveness studies of the Kinect-based CIT program can be conducted to further improve its clinical utility.Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02808195; Comparative effectiveness of a Kinect-based unilateral arm training system vs. CIT for children with CP

Relevant factors of self-care in children and adolescents with spastic cerebral palsy

Objective Manual ability is considered one of the factors that can predict functional independence in activities of daily living. For evaluating personal tasks such as self-care, the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) comprises/introduces/offers a set of useful measures that assist in enhancing the capability for self-care among children and adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP). The aim of this study was to investigate the relevant factors of self-care capability and performance in children and adolescents with spastic CP. Methods This was a cross-sectional study. Seventy-six children and adolescents with spastic CP (between 5 and 18 years of age), representing levels I to IV of the Gross Motor Function Classification System-Expanded & Revised version (GMFCS), were analyzed. Multiple linear regression analysis with forward stepwise selection was conducted to examine which determinants were related to self-care capability and performance. Independent variables were age, CP type, GMFCS, Manual Ability Classification System, Box and Block Test, and grip strength in the dominant and non-dominant hands. Dependent variables were scores for the PEDI Functional Skills Scale and the PEDI Caregiver Assistance Scale. Results Results of the multiple regression analysis showed that the PEDI Functional Skills scale scores were correlated with the Box and Block Test in the dominant hand and GMFCS (Adjusted R2 = 0.69). The PEDI Caregiver Assistance Scale scores were correlated with the Box and Block Test in the dominant hand, GMFCS, and age (adjusted R2 = 0.71). Conclusion When considering self-care of children and adolescents with spastic CP, it is necessary to consider the evaluation of upper limb dysfunction in addition to GMFCS.

Perception of effort and the allocation of physical resources: a generalization to upper-limb motor tasks

PURPOSE: The perception of effort (PE) is widely used to prescribe and monitor exercise during locomotor and resistance tasks. The present study examines the validity of PE to prescribe and monitor exercise during upper-limb motor tasks under various loads and speed requirements.METHODS: Forty participants volunteered in two experiments. In experiment 1, we used four PE intensities to prescribe exercise on a modified version of the box and block test (BBT) and a pointing task. We investigated the possibility of monitoring the exercise intensity by tracking changes in PE rating in response to three different tempos or additional weights. Experiment 2 replicated the possibility of prescribing the exercise with the PE intensity during the BBT and explored the impact of additional weights on performance and PE during the standardized version of the BBT. Muscle activation, heart rate and respiratory frequencies were recorded.RESULTS: In experiment 1, increasing the PE intensity to prescribe exercise induced an increased performance between each intensity. Increasing task difficulty with faster movement tempo and adding weight on the forearm increased the rating of PE. Experiment 2 replicated the possibility to use PE intensity for exercise prescription during the BBT. When completing the BBT with an additional weight on the forearm, participants maintained performance at the cost of a higher PE. In both experiments, changes in PE are associated with changes in muscle activation. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that PE is a valid tool to prescribe and monitor exercise during upper-limb motor tasks.

MODEL PEMBELAJARAN DAS PADA MATERI BERPIDATO DENGAN MENGGUNAKAN BAHASA INGGRIS SISWA DI KELAS IX MADRASAH TSANAWIYAH NEGERI BINJAI

This study aims to find out the DAS learning model (Listen, Observe, Convey) on speaking material using English can improve students' English learning outcomes in class IX of MTsN Binjai odd semester of the 2019/2020 school year. This research consists of two cycles. The results showed that the DAS (Listen, Observe, Convey) learning model on speaking materials using English could improve English learning outcomes and student activities in class IX of MTsN Binjai in the odd semester of the 2019/2020 school year. This can be seen from the results of the calculation in the first cycle between the test scores of the first block and the test scores of the second block, the correlation of the moment r arithmetic products is 0.846, and the t-test value is 8.983, and in the second cycle between the third block test scores and the fourth block test scores. The product correlation of moment r count is 0.925, and the t test value is 13,808, while all the calculated r values are greater than the r table of 0.478, also the t count is greater than the t table test of 2.725, and can also be seen from the results of student attendance in the first cycle the attendance was around 90%, and in the second cycle the attendance was around 95%, and increased to 100%. Keywords: Learning Model, Watershed, Speech

Antagonistic Properties and Screening of Bacillus Velezensis Nhw-B72 against Wood Fungal Decay

(1) Background: Wood decay is a serious issue that results from the presence of wood-destroying fungi and has a great influence on the international wood industry. The utilization of biological control methods offers good prospects for wood preservation. (2) Methods: The plate-screening experiment, the soil block test of the Chinese stand method (GB/T 13942.1), and the characterization of wood blocks were used to achieve biological control of brown rot and white rot. (3) Results: Through isolation, screening, and identification, the antagonistic bacterium Bacillus velezensis Nhw-B72 strain was obtained. In the plate-screening experiment, the inhibition zone diameter of Nhw-B72 for Gloeophyllum trabeum was 1.68 cm and that for Coriolus versicolor was 2.33 cm. After inhibition, the morphology of mycelia was distorted, malformed, and broken. In the soil block test, the average weight loss percentage of wood blocks in the control group was 61.66%. In the treatment group, the average weight loss percentage of the wood blocks with drying was 28.18% and that of the wood blocks without drying was 34.97%. (4) Conclusions: The strain has an obvious antagonistic effect on the wood-destroying fungi and the sterile fermentative liquid can effectively inhibit wood decay. In addition, compared to the drying of wood blocks, the air-drying of blocks after impregnation with the fermentative liquid had a better inhibition effect.

Sensor Network for Analyzing Upper Body Strategies in Parkinson’s Disease versus Normative Kinematic Patterns

In rehabilitation, the upper limb function is generally assessed using clinical scales and functional motor tests. Although the Box and Block Test (BBT) is commonly used for its simplicity and ease of execution, it does not provide a quantitative measure of movement quality. This study proposes the integration of an ecological Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) system for analysis of the upper body kinematics during the execution of a targeted version of BBT, by able-bodied persons with subjects with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Joint angle parameters (mean angle and range of execution) and hand trajectory kinematic indices (mean velocity, mean acceleration, and dimensionless jerk) were calculated from the data acquired by a network of seven IMUs. The sensors were applied on the trunk, head, and upper limb in order to characterize the motor strategy used during the execution of BBT. Statistics revealed significant differences (p < 0.05) between the two groups, showing compensatory strategies in subjects with PD. The proposed IMU-based targeted BBT protocol allows to assess the upper limb function during manual dexterity tasks and could be used in the future for assessing the efficacy of rehabilitative treatments.