Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessment of the Economic and Health-Care Impact of COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) on Public and Private Dental Surgeries in Spain: A Pilot Study

Objectives: The COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic is an ongoing public health challenge, also for the dentistry community. The main objective of this paper was to determine the economic and health-care impact of COVID-19 on dentists in the Autonomous Region of Galicia (Spain). Methods: This was a descriptive observational study in which the data was collected by means of a self-administered survey (from 1 April 2020 to 30 April 2020). Results: A total of 400 dentists from Galicia responded to the survey. Only 12.3% of the participants could obtain personal protective equipment (PPE) including FFP2 masks. Of the male respondents, 33.1% suffered losses >€15,000 compared to 19.4% of female respondents (OR = 3.121, p < 0.001). Economic losses seem to have contributed to the applications for economic help as 29.5% of the respondents who applied for this measure recorded losses in excess of €15,000 (p = 0.03). Patients complained more about the fact that only emergency care was available during the State of Alarm, in dental surgeries that do not work with insurance companies or franchises. Only 4 professionals tested positive, 50% of whom worked exclusively in private practice and the other 50% who practised in both private and public surgeries. Dentists who practise in the public sector saw more urgent patients per week than those practising in private surgeries (p = 0.013). Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic has had economic repercussions in dentistry as only urgent treatment was available during the State of Alarm. These repercussions seem to be higher in male participants, as the majority of the participants have revealed higher economic losses than females. The level of assistance has also been affected, reducing the number of treated patients, although this quantity has been different in private and public surgeries. By presenting these findings we look to highlight the role that dentists play in society in treating dental emergencies in our surgeries, and this must be recognised and addressed by the relevant authorities, who must provide PPEs as a priority to this group as well as providing special economic aid in accordance with the losses incurred by the sector.
Relationship between Magnesium Intake and Chronic Pain in U.S. Adults

Chronic pain is a public health concern and additional treatment options are essential. Inadequate magnesium intake has been associated with chronic pain in some populations. We sought to examine the relationship between dietary magnesium intake and chronic pain in a large, representative cohort of U.S. adults (NHANES). Of the 13,434 eligible adults surveyed between 1999 and 2004, 14.5% reported chronic pain while 66% reported inadequate magnesium intake. The univariate analysis showed a protective effect of increased magnesium intake adjusted for body weight (odds ratio 0.92; 95%; CI 0.88, 0.95; p < 0.001). It remained so even after correcting for socioeconomic and clinical factors as well as total calorie intake (odds ratio 0.93; 95% CI 0.87, 0.99; p = 0.02). The association was stronger in females (odds ratio 0.91; 95% CI 0.85, 0.98; p = 0.01) than males (odds ratio 0.96; 95% CI 0.89, 1.04; p = 0.32). The potential protective effect of magnesium intake on chronic pain warrants further investigation.
The Regulatory Role of Inflorescence Leaves in Fruit‐setting by Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis)

Inflorescence leaves improve fruit set on sweet orange trees. We sought an explanation for this effect in terms of carbon demand by developing fruit versus potential supply from adjacent leaves. Our assessment was based upon measurements of fruit growth, leaf photosynthesis and 14C distribution patterns in plants grown under controlled conditions. Leafy inflorescences had sufficient foliar surface (1.24 dm2) and photosynthetic capacity (CO2 10.1 mg · dm-2· h-1) to support early development of fruits on the same shoot, and to make a substantial contribution towards subsequent growth. 14C-assimilates derived from new leaves were distributed towards adjacent fruit which showed strong competition for labelled substrate. By contrast, fruit borne on leafless inflorescences had to obtain all their assimilates from older leaves whose photosynthetic capacity (CO2 3.5–4.6 mg · dm-2· h-1) and individual area (0.2 dm2) were generally insufficient to wholly sustain fruit growth, so that a large number of old-leaves were needed; these fruit would be more susceptible to competition from other sinks.
AniScan Using Extracellular Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinase A as a Serum Biomarker Assay for the Diagnosis of Malignant Tumors in Dogs

The early detection of tumors improves chances of decreased morbidity and prolonged survival. Serum biomarkers are convenient to use and have several advantages over other approaches, such as accuracy and straightforward protocols. Reliable biomarkers from easily accessible sources are warranted for the development of cost-effective assays for routine screening, particularly in veterinary medicine. Extracellular c-AMP-dependent protein kinase A (ECPKA) is a cytosolic leakage enzyme. The diagnostic accuracy of detecting autoantibodies against ECPKA was found to be higher than that of ECPKA activity from enzymatic assays, which use a complicated method. Here, we investigated the diagnostic significance of measuring serum ECPKA autoantibody levels using an in-house kit (AniScan cancer detection kit; Biattic, Anyang, Korea). We used sera from 550 dogs, including healthy dogs and those with malignant and benign tumors. Serum ECPKA and immunoglobulin G were determined using the AniScan cancer detection kit. ECPKA autoantibody levels were significantly higher (p < 0.01) in malignant tumors than in benign tumors, non-tumor diseases, and healthy controls. On the basis of sensitivity and specificity values, AniScan ECPKA is a rapid and easy-to-use assay that can be applied to screen malignant tumors from benign tumors or other diseases in dogs.
Guidelines for the Evaluation of Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy in Stroke Patients

Evaluation of stroke patients is prioritized over therapeutic interventions to restore cardiorespiratory capacity. This study aimed to develop a clinically applicable guideline to evaluate cardiorespiratory physiotherapy in stroke patients based on a literature review and a modified Delphi survey. The literature search included 13,498 articles in PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library electronic databases. We surveyed previous articles between January 2010 and June 2019. After the option elimination process, a total of 27 documents were selected and analyzed (draft: 18, modified Delphi survey: 9). The results of this research are roughly divided into two categories. First, 31 draft items were extracted, and a modified Delphi survey questionnaire was created from a literature review. Second, an expert was asked to make two modified Delphi surveys and to modify, delete, and supplement the entries in the statistical analysis at each level to finalize the steps to 20 items. The guidelines developed in this study reflect the selective use of cardiorespiratory physiotherapy evaluation methods in the clinical setting, based on the health status of individual patients. Moreover, the guidelines may help physiotherapists make informed decisions based on expert knowledge, thereby playing a crucial role in the patient-centered treatment planning process.
Deploying Machine and Deep Learning Models for Efficient Data-Augmented Detection of COVID-19 Infections

This generation faces existential threats because of the global assault of the novel Corona virus 2019 (i.e., COVID-19). With more than thirteen million infected and nearly 600000 fatalities in 188 countries/regions, COVID-19 is the worst calamity since the World War II. These misfortunes are traced to various reasons, including late detection of latent or asymptomatic carriers, migration, and inadequate isolation of infected people. This makes detection, containment, and mitigation global priorities to contain exposure via quarantine, lockdowns, work/stay at home, and social distancing that are focused on “flattening the curve”. While medical and healthcare givers are at the frontline in the battle against COVID-19, it is a crusade for all of humanity. Meanwhile, machine and deep learning models have been revolutionary across numerous domains and applications whose potency have been exploited to birth numerous state-of-the-art technologies utilised in disease detection, diagnoses, and treatment. Despite these potentials, machine and, particularly, deep learning models are data sensitive, because their effectiveness depends on availability and reliability of data. The unavailability of such data hinders efforts of engineers and computer scientists to fully contribute to the ongoing assault against COVID-19. Faced with a calamity on one side and absence of reliable data on the other, this study presents two data-augmentation models to enhance learnability of the Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) and the Convolutional Long Short-Term Memory (ConvLSTM)-based deep learning models (DADLMs) and, by doing so, boost the accuracy of COVID-19 detection. Experimental results reveal improvement in terms of accuracy of detection, logarithmic loss, and testing time relative to DLMs devoid of such data augmentation. Furthermore, average increases of 4% to 11% in COVID-19 detection accuracy are reported in favour of the proposed data-augmented deep learning models relative to the machine learning techniques. Therefore, the proposed algorithm is effective in performing a rapid and consistent Corona virus diagnosis that is primarily aimed at assisting clinicians in making accurate identification of the virus.
Plumage Coloration of the Blue Grosbeak has no Dual Function: A Test of the Armament—Ornament Model of Sexual Selection

Abstract. Although plumage coloration has been widely used as a model in studies of the evolution of signaling, the role of plumage in intrasexual communication has been less studied, especially in cases of the structural plumage color. The aim of our study was to use choice trials and plumage manipulation to test whether or not the structural blue color of the male Blue Grosbeak (Passerina caerulea) works as a signal of social status. Additionally, we tested whether or not females exploit signals used in aggression between males. If they do, it suggests that plumage coloration is also used in mate choice. In 2007, we captured males and females from two different populations. We performed two choice experiments by manipulating plumage color: (1) a status-signaling experiment, in which a male had to choose one of two other males, and (2) a mate-choice experiment, in which a female had to choose one of two males. Males clearly foraged near less blue birds during their first encounter and on the first day. However, this preference was not evident on subsequent days. Females showed no preference for any color of male. Our data show that plumage color works as a “first impression” signal, which suggests that plumage coloration in the Blue Grosbeak represents a signal of dominance status between unfamiliar individuals and thus supports the status-signaling hypothesis. Our results support previous evidence for a lack of selection of males by females, which for this species thus rebuts the armament-ornament model of sexual selection.
Public Surveys of Rose-Ringed Parakeets, Psittacula krameri, in the Durban Metropolitan Area, South Africa

Globally, the rose-ringed parakeet, Psittacula krameri, is the most invasive parrot species and became established in South Africa in the 1970s. The aim of this survey was to determine the current occurrence and distribution of rose-ringed parakeets in the greater Durban Metropolitan area of eThekwini, by engaging the public. Within the study area, rose-ringed parakeets currently occupy c. 730 km2. They occur along the coast from Umhlanga in the north to Merebank in the south, extending inland to Mt Edgecombe and Pinetown in the west. Four roosts were located in the study area, with one becoming inactive during the study period. Roosts varied in size from c. 20–100 parakeets each. Comparison of SABAP1 and SABAP2 data indicate that populations are also established in Pietermaritzburg, Cape Town, and Steytlerville in the Eastern Cape. Trends from this study indicate that rose-ringed parakeets are expanding their distribution particularly in the Durban Metropolitan area.
Angiotensin AT1 Receptor Stimulates Heat Shock Protein 27 Phosphorylation In Vitro and In Vivo

The angiotensin type 1 receptor (AT1) exerts a variety of its signaling and cellular actions through its effects on protein phosphorylation. Phosphoproteomic analysis of angiotensin (Ang) II–stimulated aortic smooth muscle cells revealed that heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) represents a major protein phosphorylation target of the AT1 signaling pathway. Stimulation of cells with Ang II resulted in 1.7-fold (P <0.05) and 5.5-fold (P <0.001) increases in HSP27 phosphoisoforms at pI 5.7 and pI 5.4, respectively. This was accompanied by a 54% (P <0.01) decrease in the nonphosphorylated HSP27 isoform, located at pI 6.4. Treatment of samples with alkaline phosphatase reversed this redistribution of HSP27 phosphoisoforms. Ang II–stimulated HSP27 phosphorylation was completely blocked by pretreatment of cells with the AT1 antagonist CV11974. Phosphoamino acid analysis demonstrated that Ang II–induced phosphorylation of both HSP27 phosphoisoforms occurred exclusively on serine. Protein kinase C inhibition completely blocked phorbol ester–induced HSP27 phosphorylation but did not impair Ang II–stimulated phosphorylation of HSP27, suggesting that AT1 increased HSP27 phosphorylation by a protein kinase C–independent pathway. Intrajugular infusion of Ang II in rats increased HSP27 in aorta by 1.7-fold (P <0.02), and this response was inhibited by CV11974. These results suggest that Ang II–induced HSP27 phosphorylation is a physiologically relevant AT1 signaling event. Because serine phosphorylation of HSP27 blocks its ability to cap F-actin, Ang II/AT1–induced HSP27 phosphorylation may play a key role in actin filament remodeling required for smooth muscle cell migration and contraction.
Wasp Composition in Inflorescences of Two Dioecious Fig Species—Implications for the Fig‐Wasp Mutualism 1

Tr-leiw AN, AI’IXOXIMATELY 750 FIG sPEc iEs (FICUS, MORACEAE) WOIUDWIDE; each fig species is closely associated with a pollinator wasp species (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Agaonidae: Agaoninae, sensu BouZek 1988; Wiebes 1979) and usually one or more nonpollinating wasp species. Wasp community composition and sex ratios inside each fig reveal much about the effects of parasites on mutualisms. Pollinating wasps lay eggs in ovaries of the closed inflorescences (syconia) of figs, and usually die inside the syconia (but see Gibernau et al. 1996). Their mature female offspring, having mated inside the inflorescences, carry pollen and eggs to other inflorescences. The proportion of flowers in each inflorescence that begin to develop following wasp arrival depends upon the number of foundresses (ie., pollinators) that entered that fruit (Herre 1989). Female wasp offspring therefore represent the fitness of both wasp and fig; they carry eggs to other inflorescences (male offspring mate and die in their natal fig), and they are the sole carriers of pollen from their natal fruit to other fig inflorescences. Hence, the proportion of female wasps produced in a syconium is one measure of fitness of the parent wasp and of the fig tree. Male wasps also contribute significantly to wasp and fig tree fitness, not only via genes but because in many fig species, they chew holes in the mature fruit wall so that the pollen-bearing females can escape. Other fig-associated agaonid wasp species are phylogenetically closely related to the pollinators (BouEek 1988). These wasps usually oviposit from outside the syconium, laying eggs in ovaries that may or may not be occupied by pollinator eggs (Abdurahiman & Joseph 1978, Abdurahiman 1986, Bronstein 1991, Compton et al. 1994). Some of these nonpollinating wasps are therefore parasites on the mutualism; they can affect both fig and pollinator fitness because they occupy ovaries in which pollinator eggs have been laid and do not transport pollen (Abdurahiman &Joseph 1978, Abdurahiman 1986, West & Herre 1994, Kerdelhui: & Rasplus 1996a, West et aL 1996). Yet little is known of the degree to which the nonpollinating wasps reduce the reproductive success of the mutualist partners (but see Kerdelhui: & Rasplus 1996a, West et al. 1996). Knowledge of pollinating wasp sex ratios is also valuable in examining general theoretical predictions of sex ratio and local mate competition theory (Hamilton 1967, 1979, Frank 1985). In haplodiploid inbreeding organisms, such as fig-pollinating wasps, sib-mated mothers are more closely related to their daughters than to their sons (Hamilton 1967, Herre 1987). This is because haploid sons receive one set
Exploring the energy landscape of a β hairpin in explicit solvent

We studied the energy landscape of the peptide Ace‐GEWTYDDATKTFTVTE‐Nme, taken from the C‐terminal fragment (41–56) of protein G, in explicit aqueous solution by a highly parallel replica‐exchange approach that combines molecular dynamics trajectories with a temperature exchange Monte Carlo process. The combined trajectories in T and configurational space allow a replica to overcome a free energy barrier present at one temperature by increasing T, changing configurations, and cooling in a self‐regulated manner, thus allowing sampling of broad regions of configurational space in short (nanoseconds) time scales. The free energy landscape of this system over a wide range of temperatures shows that the system preferentially adopts a beta hairpin structure. However, the peptide also samples other stable ensembles where the peptide adopts helices and helix‐turn‐helix states, among others. The helical states become increasingly stable at low temperatures, but are slightly less stable than the beta turn ensemble. The energy landscape is rugged at low T, where substates are separated by large energy barriers. These barriers disappear at higher T (∼330 K), where the system preferentially adopts a “molten globule” state with structures similar to the beta hairpin. Proteins 2001;42:345–354. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Correlation of Feline Coronavirus Shedding in Feces with Coronavirus Antibody Titer

Background: Feline coronavirus (FCoV) infection is ubiquitous in multi-cat households. Responsible for the continuous presence are cats that are chronically shedding a high load of FCoV. The aim of the study was to determine a possible correlation between FCoV antibody titer and frequency and load of fecal FCoV shedding in cats from catteries. Methods: Four fecal samples from each of 82 cats originating from 19 German catteries were examined for FCoV viral loads by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Additionally, antibody titers were determined by an immunofluorescence assay. Results: Cats with antibodies were more likely to be FCoV shedders than non-shedders, and there was a weak positive correlation between antibody titer and mean fecal virus load (Spearman r = 0.2984; p = 0.0072). Antibody titers were significantly higher if cats shed FCoV more frequently throughout the study period (p = 0.0063). When analyzing only FCoV shedders, cats that were RT-qPCR-positive in all four samples had significantly higher antibody titers (p = 0.0014) and significantly higher mean fecal virus loads (p = 0.0475) than cats that were RT-qPCR-positive in only one, two, or three samples. Conclusions: The cats’ antibody titers correlate with the likelihood and frequency of FCoV shedding and fecal virus load. Chronic shedders have higher antibody titers and shed more virus. This knowledge is important for the management of FCoV infections in multi-cat environments, but the results indicate that antibody measurement cannot replace fecal RT-qPCR.
Perch Positioning Affects both Laying Hen Locomotion and Forces Experienced at the Keel

Simple Summary Keel bone fractures in laying hens can occur due to falls and collisions within the housing system, although other factors such as genetics and nutrition contribute to the high fracture prevalence found in commercial laying hens. In addition, routine behaviors such as dustbathing or locomotion might contribute to the problem due to accumulated forces at the keel. To understand how locomotion affects the risk to sustain a fracture, we trained 20 brown and 20 white laying hens to jump from a platform to a perch installed at different angles, distances, and directions. We found that longer distances and steeper angles—especially during downward transitions—resulted in higher force at the keel and were more difficult for the hens to navigate. Our results show that perch position has an impact on the forces which a keel bone needs to absorb during controlled movements. In addition, perch position affects the hens’ ability to move safely from perch to perch, i.e., without falls and collisions. Optimizing perch position could help to create a safer environment for laying hens and might reduce keel bone fractures. Abstract The aim of this study was to assess the effect of perch positioning on laying hens’ locomotion and the resulting energy experienced at the keel. Twenty Nick Chick and 20 Brown Nick hens were trained to transition from a platform to a perch in several configurations. Three variables of perch positioning were tested in a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial design: direction (upward vs. downward), angle (flat vs. steep), and distance (50 cm vs. 100 cm). All hens were tested for five jumps of each treatment combination at 27–28 weeks of age. As predicted, we found steep angles and long distances to result in higher peak forces and impulse during take-off, flight, and landing; longer latency to jump; a higher likelihood to perform balancing movements; and a longer latency to peck at the provided food reward. The effect of perch positioning on locomotion and force at the keel during downwards jumps and flight was more pronounced in Brown Nick hens than in Nick Chick hens. Although we cannot state how the observed forces at the keel relate to the risk for keel bone fractures, our results indicated that optimizing perch positioning can reduce accumulated forced at the keel and consequent risk for fracture due to unsuccessful transitions.
Influence of glutathione (GSH) on net uptake of sulphate and sulphate transport in tobacco plants

Net uptake of sulphate by the roots, and its transport to the shoot was inhibited in intact tobacco plants by 1 h exposure of its roots to 0.1 or 1.0 mM GSH. The relative amount of sulphate taken up that was transported to the shoot was not affected by this treatment. Apparently, sulphate uptake, but not xylem loading of sulphate, was inhibited by GSH. Similar results were obtained when L-cysteine was used instead of GSH. As L-cysteine, mediated inhibition of sulphate, net uptake was counteracted by exposure of the roots to BSO, GSH synthesis seems to be required for inhibition of sulphate uptake by L-cysteine. However, exposure to 0.1 or 1.0 mM GSH did not result in an enhanced GSH level in roots or shoots. Also the cysteine contents remained unchanged