Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Comparative Effect of Cosmetic and Mechanical Prosthesis on Quality of Life and Performance in People With Medium-Length Below-Elbow Amputation

Introduction Upper-limb prostheses are divided into three groups: cosmetic (passive), mechanical, and powered. Each of these groups has specific characteristics and would be prescribed for special purposes. Some studies have separately examined function and quality of mechanical and cosmetic prostheses. Using the Trinity Amputation and Prosthesis Experience Scales (TAPES), the present research was aimed to compare and evaluate the quality of life and function of individuals with medium-length below-elbow amputation using mechanical and cosmetic prostheses. Materials and Methods Fifty-two individuals with medium-length below-elbow amputation voluntarily participated in this study. The TAPES questionnaire was used in this study. Results Regarding the general adjustment subscale, social adjustment subscale, functional activity subscale, social activity, appearance, satisfaction of weight, and functional satisfaction, significant differences were seen between two groups (P < 0.05). No significant difference was experienced between the groups in adjustment with restrictions subscale, sociopsychological adjustment, professional activity subscale, activity scale, and prosthesis satisfaction. Conclusions It was found out that each of these two types of prosthesis is suitable for special activities and tasks, and each has a specific function that potentially could improve an individual's quality of life. Because both cosmetic and mechanical prostheses have their own strengths and weaknesses, they can both together be used by one individual with amputation, complement each other, and fulfill the needs of the person with amputation.
Watch out! Motion is Blurring the Vision of Your Deep Neural Networks

The state-of-the-art deep neural networks (DNNs) are vulnerable against adversarial examples with additive random-like noise perturbations. While such examples are hardly found in the physical world, the image blurring effect caused by object motion, on the other hand, commonly occurs in practice, making the study of which greatly important especially for the widely adopted real-time image processing tasks (e.g., object detection, tracking). In this paper, we initiate the first step to comprehensively investigate the potential hazards of the blur effect for DNN, caused by object motion. We propose a novel adversarial attack method that can generate visually natural motion-blurred adversarial examples, named motion-based adversarial blur attack (ABBA). To this end, we first formulate the kernel-prediction-based attack where an input image is convolved with kernels in a pixel-wise way, and the misclassification capability is achieved by tuning the kernel weights. To generate visually more natural and plausible examples, we further propose the saliency-regularized adversarial kernel prediction, where the salient region serves as a moving object, and the predicted kernel is regularized to achieve naturally visual effects. Besides, the attack is further enhanced by adaptively tuning the translations of object and background. A comprehensive evaluation on the NeurIPS'17 adversarial competition dataset demonstrates the effectiveness of ABBA by considering various kernel sizes, translations, and regions. The in-depth study further confirms that our method shows more effective penetrating capability to the state-of-the-art GAN-based deblurring mechanisms compared with other blurring methods. We release the code to this https URL
Electroantennographic and behavioral responses of Proagopertha lucidula (Faldermann) (Coleoptera:Scarabaeidae) to plant volatiles

In order to screen attractive chemicals for trapping males and females Proagopertha lucidula (Faldermann), 11 plant volatiles that can trap male and female adults of other scarabs were used to test the electroantennogram (EAG) value and the taxis behavior of P. lucidula adults. The results showed that among the 11 test chemicals at the dosage of 10 μg, only (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol, geraniol, anethol and eugenol induced clear EAG response, while the other 7 chemicals elicited weak EAG response. The four compounds that induced clear EAG responses at the dose of 10 μg/μL elicited the dose-dependent EAG response. The taxis behavior of the beetle to the volatiles that induced clear EAG responses was also assayed at the doses of 1, 10 and 100 μg with Y-tube olfactometer. Corrected response percentages of both males and females to (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol, geraniol anethol and eugenol were significantly different from that of the hexane control. The study will provide the foundation for developing attractive chemicals for P. lucidula in fields.
Evaluation of the Fungi Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae, and Clonostachys rosea as Bio-control Agents against the Honey Bee Parasitic Mite, Varroa destructor

Evaluation of the Fungi Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae, and Clonostachys rosea as Bio-control Agents against the Honey Bee Parasitic Mite, Varroa destructor Alice Sinia Advisor University of Guelph, 2013 Professor Ernesto Guzman Laboratory bioassay was used to determine the pathogenicity of nine isolates of fungi of the genera Metarhizium, Beauveria and Clonostachys to the parasitic mite, Varroa destructor. All nine isolates were pathogenic to V. destructor with Metarhizuim anisopliae UAMH 9198, Clonostachys rosea UAMH 9161 and Beauveria bassiana GHA being the most pathogenic within their respective species. Metarhizium anisopliae UAMH 9198 was more lethal to V. destructor than B. bassiana GHA and C. rosea UAMH 9161 with LC50 values of 1.6 x 10, 9.6 x 10 and 5.4 x 10 conidia/mL, respectively. Metarhizium anisopliae and B. bassiana significantly affected brood and adult honey bee survivorship and their immune responses. They were lethal to the bees with LC50s of 3.70 x 10 and 2.62 x 10 conidia/mL, respectively. The effect of temperature and thymol on conidia germination, production and colony growth of the fungal isolates was determined. Temperature significantly affected conidia germination, production and colony growth (P < 0.05) but thymol did not. Efficacy of the two most promising isolates (M. anisopliae UAMH 9198 and B. bassiana GHA) as potential biocontrol agents against V. destructor in hives was evaluated. Fungal inocula were applied as dry formulation, with corn flour as carrier, using dispenser tray and dusting applications. Treatments were either applied alone or in combination with thymol to determine any synergistic effects. All treatments significantly increased mite mortality (P < 0.05), however, the mite control efficacy varied between fungal treatments and application methods. Combined treatments of fungi and thymol caused significantly higher mite mortality than single fungal treatments, which showed control levels of ≤61%. Significant differences in mite mortality were found between the two delivery methods with the differences depending on the fungal isolate. The results suggest that M. anisopliae UAMH 9198 would be a more effective bio-control agent for the management of V. destructor in honey bee colonies than the other isolates tested when dispensed continuously in hives using delivery methods such as a dispenser tray. However, future research is needed to improve delivery methods and investigate the effect of carriers used in the formulation on the efficacy of such entomopathogenic fungi.
An Agent-Based Model of Delegation Relationships With Hidden-Action: On the Effects of Heterogeneous Memory on Performance

We introduce an agent-based model of delegation relationships between a principal and an agent, which is based on the standard-hidden action model introduced by Holmstr\"om and, by doing so, provide a model which can be used to further explore theoretical topics in managerial economics, such as the efficiency of incentive mechanisms. We employ the concept of agentization, i.e., we systematically transform the standard hidden-action model into an agent-based model. Our modeling approach allows for a relaxation of some of the rather "heroic" assumptions included in the standard hidden-action model, whereby we particularly focus on assumptions related to the (i) availability of information about the environment and the (ii) principal's and agent's cognitive capabilities (with a particular focus on their learning capabilities and their memory). Our analysis focuses on how close and how fast the incentive scheme, which endogenously emerges from the agent-based model, converges to the solution proposed by the standard hidden-action model. Also, we investigate whether a stable solution can emerge from the agent-based model variant. The results show that in stable environments the emergent result can nearly reach the solution proposed by the standard hidden-action model. Surprisingly, the results indicate that turbulence in the environment leads to stability in earlier time periods.
Bryophytes Harbor Cultivable Actinobacteria With Plant Growth Promoting Potential

This study was designed to investigate the cultivable actinobacteria associated with bryophytes and their plant growth promoting ability. Thirteen actinobacteria were isolated and tested for their ability to promote growth of plant in vitro and in planta. All isolates were able to produce IAA and siderophores. Six isolates were identified as members of the genus Micromonospora. Five isolates belonged to the genus Streptomyces and one each of Microbispora and Mycobacterium. Micromonospora sp. CMU55-4 was inoculated to rare moss [Physcomitrium sphaericum (C. Ludw.) Fürnr. ] and could increase the amount of carotenoid, fresh weight, and dry weight of this moss. In addition, this strain promoted capsule production, and rescued P. sphaericum’s gametophytes during acclimatization to land. Strain CMU55-4 was identified as Micromonospora chalcea based on whole genome sequence analysis. Its plant growth promoting potential was further characterized through genome mining. The draft genome size was 6.6 Mb (73% GC). The genome contained 5,933 coding sequences. Functional annotation predicted encoded genes essential for siderophore production, phosphate solubilization that enable bacteria to survive under nutrient limited environment. Glycine-betaine accumulation and trehalose biosynthesis also aid plants under drought stress. M. chalcea CMU55-4 also exhibited genes for various carbohydrate metabolic pathways indicating those for efficient utilization of carbohydrates inside plant cells. Additionally, predictive genes for heat shock proteins, cold shock proteins, and oxidative stress such as glutathione biosynthesis were identified. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that bryophytes harbor plant growth promoting actinobacteria. A representative isolate, M. chalcea CMU55-4 promotes the growth of P. sphaericum moss and contains protein coding sequences related to plant growth promoting activities in its genome.
Antimicrobial Peptide Induced-Stress Renders Staphylococcus aureus Susceptible to Toxic Nucleoside Analogs

Cationic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are active immune effectors of multicellular organisms and are also considered as new antimicrobial drug candidates. One of the problems encountered when developing AMPs as drugs is the difficulty of reaching sufficient killing concentrations under physiological conditions. Here, using pexiganan, a cationic peptide derived from a host defense peptide of the African clawed frog and the first AMP developed into an antibacterial drug, we studied whether sub-lethal effects of AMPs can be harnessed to devise treatment combinations. We studied the pexiganan stress response of Staphylococcus aureus at sub-lethal concentrations using quantitative proteomics. Several proteins involved in nucleotide metabolism were elevated, suggesting a metabolic demand. We then show that Staphylococcus aureus is highly susceptible to antimetabolite nucleoside analogs when exposed to pexiganan, even at sub-inhibitory concentrations. These findings could be used to enhance pexiganan potency while decreasing the risk of resistance emergence, and our findings can likely be extended to other antimicrobial peptides.
Effects of polychlorinated biphenyls 1254 (PCB_(1254)) on two enzyme activity of biotransformation in digestive gland and gills of scallop Chlamys ferrari

The effects of different concentrations of PCB1254 (0.5 μg/L,1.0 μg/L,10.0 μg/L,50.0 μg/L) on EROD,GST in digestive gland and gills on scallop Chlamys ferrari were studied. Three replicates were designed for each treatment. The sampling time was at 0 d,0.5 d,1 d,3 d,6 d,9 d,15 d,21 d and 30 d respectively. The gills and digestive gland were placed under -20 ℃ for following measurement. The results showed that EROD activity increased significantly (P0.05) in digestive gland and gills except that in gills of 0.5 μg/L and 1.0 μg/L groups,the EROD activity and PCB1254 had effect-dose relationship in digestive gland. GST activity increased in two tissues in low concentrations groups,but it was restrained in high concentrations groups. The GST activity changed more distinctly in gills than in digestive gland. The results indicated the changes of EROD and GST activities could reflect the effects of PCB1254 on scallops,and EROD and GST were suitable biomarkers to evaluate the toxicity of PCB1254. The scallop Chlamys ferrari was a suitable aquatic animal to evaluate PCB1254 pollution effects. The biotransformation mechanisms of Chlamys ferrari were discussed in this paper.
The Helminth Parasite Heligmosomoides polygyrus Attenuates EAE in an IL-4Rα-Dependent Manner

Helminth parasites are effective in biasing Th2 immunity and inducing regulatory pathways that minimize excessive inflammation within their hosts, thus allowing chronic infection to occur whilst also suppressing bystander atopic or autoimmune diseases. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a severe autoimmune disease characterized by inflammatory lesions within the central nervous system; there are very limited therapeutic options for the progressive forms of the disease and none are curative. Here, we used the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model to examine if the intestinal helminth Heligmosomoides polygyrus and its excretory/secretory products (HES) are able to suppress inflammatory disease. Mice infected with H. polygyrus at the time of immunization with the peptide used to induce EAE (myelin-oligodendrocyte glycoprotein, pMOG), showed a delay in the onset and peak severity of EAE disease, however, treatment with HES only showed a marginal delay in disease onset. Mice that received H. polygyrus 4 weeks prior to EAE induction were also not significantly protected. H. polygyrus secretes a known TGF-β mimic (Hp-TGM) and simultaneous H. polygyrus infection with pMOG immunization led to a significant expansion of Tregs; however, administering the recombinant Hp-TGM to EAE mice failed to replicate the EAE protection seen during infection, indicating that this may not be central to the disease protecting mechanism. Mice infected with H. polygyrus also showed a systemic Th2 biasing, and restimulating splenocytes with pMOG showed release of pMOG-specific IL-4 as well as suppression of inflammatory IL-17A. Notably, a Th2-skewed response was found only in mice infected with H. polygyrus at the time of EAE induction and not those with a chronic infection. Furthermore, H. polygyrus failed to protect against disease in IL-4Rα−/− mice. Together these results indicate that the EAE disease protective mechanism of H. polygyrus is likely to be predominantly Th2 deviation, and further highlights Th2-biasing as a future therapeutic strategy for MS.
The Administrative Prevalence of Multiple Sclerosis in Greece on the Basis of a Nationwide Prescription Database

Objective: To estimate current prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS) in Greece using administrative data from the nationwide medicine prescription database. Methods: Prescription records of a 24-month period (June 2017–May 2019) were analyzed in order to identify cases of MS. Sex, age, and place of residence were recorded for each identified case. Prevalence of MS was calculated based on the updated records of the Greek population according to Hellenic Statistical Authority. Results: The 2-year cumulative period prevalence of MS was estimated to 197.8 per 100,000 (95% CI 197.6–198.0). In total, 21,218 patients (65.8% female) were identified. During this period, the prevalence of MS was 138.7 per 100,000 (95% CI 138.4–139.0) in men and 253.6 per 100,000 (95% CI 253.3–254.1) in women. Prevalence was higher in the 45–49 age group in both sexes. Analysis of the place of residence revealed higher prevalence in the Attica region and Western Greece while lower prevalence was observed in Northern Greece. No north–south latitude gradient was detected. Point prevalence on 1 January 2019 was calculated to 188.9 per 100,000 (95% CI 188.7–189.1). Regarding treatment, 73.1% of the identified cases received at least once a Disease Modifying Drug. Conclusions: According to this national-level study conducted in Greece, estimated prevalence of MS was found to be similar to those of other European countries. Heterogeneity of MS prevalence across the country was observed and needs further investigation.
Importance of Sensitive Vascular Measurements for Evaluating Effects of Lifestyle in Premenopausal Women

Premenopausal women generally have a favorable cardiovascular risk profile, owing to young age and the protective effects of estrogen. Rates of hypertension and more advanced cardiovascular disease (CVD) are low in premenopausal women. A large body of epidemiological evidence has shown that lifestyle behaviors in midlife, i.e., cardiorespiratory fitness, physical activity, and healthy diet, are associated with lower risk of overt CVD and adverse cardiovascular outcomes in the future for men and women. Despite differences in future cardiovascular risk, brachial blood pressures might be similar between premenopausal women with favorable vs. unfavorable levels of lifestyle behaviors in early-to-mid-life. Here we make the case for deeper phenotyping by means of vascular function measurements, such as arterial stiffness, augmentation index, and endothelial function, to identify potential mechanistic pathways linking lifestyle behaviors in early-to-mid-adulthood with lifelong CVD risk in women. We describe considerations for vascular function measurement in premenopausal women and opportunities for investigators to fill in knowledge gaps to further our understanding of CVD risk assessment and CVD progression in premenopausal women.
The GPR40 Agonist GW9508 Enhances Neutrophil Function to Aid Bacterial Clearance During E. coli Infections

G-protein-coupled receptor 40 (GPR40) is known to play a role in the regulation of fatty acids, insulin secretion, and inflammation. However, the function of this receptor in human neutrophils, one of the first leukocytes to arrive at the site of infection, remains to be fully elucidated. In the present study, we demonstrate that GPR40 is upregulated on activated human neutrophils and investigated the functional effects upon treatment with a selective agonist; GW9508. Interestingly, GPR40 expression was up-regulated after neutrophil stimulation with platelet-activating factor (10 nM) or leukotriene B4 (LTB4, 10 nM) suggesting potential regulatory roles for this receptor during inflammation. Indeed, GW9508 (1 and 10 μM) increased neutrophil chemotaxis in response to the chemokine IL-8 (30 ng/ml) and enhanced phagocytosis of Escherichia coli by approximately 50% when tested at 0.1 and 1 μM. These results were translated in vivo whereby administration of GW9508 (10 mg/kg, i.p.) during E. coli infections resulted in elevated peritoneal leukocyte infiltration with a higher phagocytic capacity. Importantly, GW9508 administration also modulated the lipid mediator profile, with increased levels of the pro-resolving mediators resolvin D3 and lipoxins. In conclusion, GPR40 is expressed by activated neutrophils and plays an important host protective role to aid clearance of bacterial infections.
Editorial: Vaccines and Immunostimulants for Finfish

The expansion of intensive fish farming in recent decades has led to increase in the number of fish diseases (1, 2). This is partly because high stocking densities used in intensive farming cause stress making fish more susceptible to diseases and lead to high disease transmission index due increased contact among fish. These factors call for the need of protective vaccines (3). Understanding how the fish immune system responds to vaccines and immunostimulants/adjuvants is crucial for the rational development of efficient vaccines. These studies should guide the design and selection of effective immunostimulants and vaccine antigens that are efficiently taken up, processed and presented to cells of the adaptive immune system. Another priority of the field is the identification of optimal correlates of protective immunity that may be used as benchmarks in the design of long-term protective fish vaccines. This has traditionally been a challenge due to poor correlation between protection and antibody responses (4), but new emerging tools should complement traditional serological assays. The compilation of studies presented in this Special Issue provides an updated look on various immunostimulants and vaccine antigens relevant to farmed fish health. In addition, these papers also provide an update on recent discoveries in fish immunology that could aid in the design of highly protective vaccines for finfish, as well as to establish correlates of protection for these vaccines. Thus, we envisage that this Special Issue provides novel valuable insights essential for all researches working on the development and implementation of immune strategies that reduce the impact of infectious diseases in aquaculture.
Seneca Valley Virus 3C Protease Inhibits Stress Granule Formation by Disrupting eIF4GI-G3BP1 Interaction

Stress granules (SGs) are the sites of mRNA storage and related to the regulation of mRNA translation, which are dynamic structures in response to various environmental stresses and viral infections. Seneca Valley virus (SVV), an oncolytic RNA virus belonging to Picornaviridae family, can cause vesicular disease (VD) indistinguished from foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and other pig VDs. In this study, we found that SVV induced SG formation in the early stage of infection in a PKR-eIF2α dependent manner, as demonstrated by the recruitment of marker proteins of G3BP1 and eIF4GI. Surprisingly, we found that downregulating SG marker proteins TIA1 or G3BP1, or expressing an eIF2α non-phosphorylatable mutant inhibited SG formation, but this inhibition of transient SG formation had no significant effect on SVV propagation. Depletion of G3BP1 significantly attenuated the activation of NF-κB signaling pathway. In addition, we found that SVV inhibited SG formation at the late stage of infection and 3C protease was essential for the inhibition depending on its enzyme activity. Furthermore, we also found that 3C protease blocked the SG formation by disrupting eIF4GI-G3BP1 interaction. Overall, our results demonstrate that SVV induces transient SG formation in an eIF2α phosphorylation and PKR-dependent manner, and that 3C protease inhibits SG formation by interfering eIF4GI-G3BP1 interaction.