Adaptive learning to speed-up control of prosthetic hands: A few things everybody should know

Domain adaptation methods have been proposed to reduce the training efforts needed to control an upper-limb prosthesis by adapting well performing models from previous subjects to the new subject. These studies generally reported impressive reductions in the required number of training samples to achieve a certain level of accuracy for intact subjects. We further investigate two popular methods in this field to verify whether this result also applies to amputees. Our findings show instead that this improvement can largely be attributed to a suboptimal hyperparameter configuration. When hyperparameters are appropriately tuned, the standard approach that does not exploit prior information performs on par with the more complicated transfer learning algorithms. Additionally, earlier studies erroneously assumed that the number of training samples relates proportionally to the efforts required from the subject. However, a repetition of a movement is the atomic unit for subjects and the total number of repetitions should therefore be used as reliable measure for training efforts. Also when correcting for this mistake, we do not find any performance increase due to the use of prior models

Implementation of an extrachromosomal system for the detection of novel DNA double strand break repair genes in S. cerevisiae

The outcome of DNA damage is diverse and generally adverse. Acute effects arise from disturbed DNA metabolism, triggering cell-cycle arrest or cell death. Long-term effects result from irreversible mutation contributing to oncogenesis and genome instability. In view of the many types of lesions, several pathways were developed to repair these lesions: nucleotide-excision repair (NER), base-excision repair (BER), mismatch repair (MMR), homologous recombination (HR) and non-homologous end joining (NHEJ). The double-strand break (DSB) is the most dangerous type of DNA lesion, it can be repaired mainly by HR (by crossover (CO), gene conversion (GC), and singlestrand annealing (SSA)) or by non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ). When, after replication a second identical DNA copy is available, HR seems to be preferred, other wise cells rely on NHEJ, which is more error prone. Up to now, all DSB repair processes have been studied separately, although it is clear that all of them can occur simultaneously in different proportions. We have created a new molecular plasmid system to simultaneously detect all four types of recombinational DBS repair. To this end, we constructed an in vivo/in vitro HNS plasmid system (HNS: HR, NHEJ, SSA), based upon two topologically different DNA molecules, which allows us to follow all four recombination processes at once. The plasmids, named pURRA8A and pRURA8A, contain two truncated non-functional URA3 genes in direct or inverted orientation respectively, sharing a central homologous region where a l-Scel site was introduced artificially. The plasmids also carry a centromere sequence and two phenotypic markers TRP1 and ADE8. DSB can be induced in vitro at the homologous (l-SceI) or non-homologous (BamHI) region. Yeast transformation with linearized plasmids was performed in strain YPH 250 and isogenic knockout strains lacking either the RAD52 gene involved in HR and SSA, HDF1 (yKU70) and NEJ1 involved in NHEJ. In addition MRE11 complex and MSH2 null mutants were studied. Distribution of DSB repair events among the various pathways was monitored by phenotypic and PCR analysis. The rad52 knockout mutant showed lower levels of CO and SSA, while the hdf1 mutant showed a decrease in conservative and non conservative NHEJ, as expected. These results confirm the validity of the HNS system for monitoring all 4 repair pathways simultaneously. The HNS system has been used to identify new genes involved in DNA damage response. DBS were induced in vivo by the expression of the l-Sce I endonuclease under Gal1-promoter control. After transformation, we performed transposon mutagenesis using the mTn-lacZ/LEU2 library system and selected cells that lost the ability to recombine. From the initial 7000 mutants tested, we selected initially 150 that were rescreening to obtain finally 33 mutants. The identification of the locus of the transposon insertion of all of them was performed. Some known genes (RAD50, SWR1, MCK1, SIN4, RSC2, SWE1 and DBP1) as well as unknown ones (YLR238W, YLR089C, YMR278W) were selected. Null mutants of all them were constructed, DSBR events profile as well as MMS sensitivity were determined. Relative rates of DSB repaired by HR, NHEJ and SSA were examined in all the selected null mutants strains. By comparing the distribution of DSBR by different mechanisms, we were able to obtain a strain-specific profile in which the relative proportions of repair events occurring in the cell were characteristic of that mutation. RSC2 (RSC complex component) and YLR235w (FHA containing protein) genes were selected to further characterisation. Epistatic null mutants analysis with key recombination genes (yku70 and rad52) was performed. MMS sensitivity and survival was analysed, as well as DSB induction in-vivo. This enables us to verify the involvement of a particular gene product in DNA damage response. In particular, we showed that Ylr238w is involved in DNA damage transcription regulation

Psoriasis and cardiovascular risk: Assessment by cuore project risk score in Italian patients

Background. Psoriasis is a common inflammatory and immune-mediated skin disease. There is growing controversy as to whethewhere cardiovascular risk is elevated in psoriasis. A number of studies suggest a high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors as well as cardiovascular diseases in psoriasis patients. Objective. The objective of this study was to estimate cardiovascular risk score in psoriasis patients and the relation between cardiovascular risk and psoriasis features. Cardiovascular risk was assessed by CUORE project risk score built within the longitudinal study of the Italian CUORE project and suited to populations with a low rate of coronary heart disease. Results. A case-control study in 210 psoriasis outpatients and 111 controls with skin diseases other than psoriasis was performed. CUORE project risk score was higher in patients than controls (6.80 6.34 versus 4.48 4.38, < 0.001). Compared to controls, psoriasis patients have higher risk of developing major cardiovascular events. Cardiovascular risk was not related to psoriasis characteristics. Conclusion. Increased focus on identifying cardiovascular risk factors and initiation of preventive lifestyle changes or therapeutic interventions in patients with psoriasis is warranted

Efficient Photothermal Generation by Nanoscale Light Trapping in a Forest of Silicon Nanowires

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Local reactions to tick bites

A retrospective histological and immunohistochemical study has been carried out in 25 cases of tick bites recorded in our Departments. The samples that included an attached tick showed a cement cone anchoring the mouthparts to the skin and a blood-soaked, spongiform appearance of the superficial dermis, with a mild neutrophilic and eosinophilic infiltration. The vessels displayed a loose multilayered endothelial proliferation, with plump endothelia, permeated with erythrocytes. A few of them were severed, allowing copious blood extravasation. The established lesions included the following: erythema chronicum migrans-like cases, foreign body granulomas-sometimes containing remnants of the mouthparts-cutaneous lymphoid hyperplasia, either of the T-cell or the B-cell type, and tick-bite alopecia. In both the T-cell and B-cell pseudolymphomas, several vessels showed concentric endothelial and perithelial proliferation similar to that seen in the acute lesions. In the tick-bite alopecia, a lymphocytic infiltrate attacked the permanent portion of the hair follicles, whose reaction was a noticeable hyperplasia of the fibrous sheaths, although only a minority of the hairs was destroyed. The observed alterations are specific in the acute lesions and in the alopecia, where they directly arise as a result of the interactions between the host's tissues and the antihemostatic, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory chemicals contained in the tick saliva. In the other lesions, the changes seem less characteristic, although the fragments of mouthparts and the special vascular changes provide a clue to their etiolog

A Knowledge-based view of people and technology:directions for a value co-creation-based learning organisation

Purpose: This paper aims to investigate the potential of knowledge management (KM) as a discipline in helping understand and manage social and economic complexity. The paper highlights some of the potential relationships between KM in organisations and their economic performance. Finally, the authors assess the role of human resources and technological infrastructures in the relationship between organisation’s approach to KM and their performance. Design/methodology/approach: The hypotheses are tested via a survey on a sample of managerial-level employees of information technology organisations located in the city of Brno in Czech Republic. The data collected are analysed using structural equation modelling (SEM) to study the relationship between KM; the workforce’s willingness and ability to collaborate and co-create value; and the organisations’ economic performance. Findings: The research found that there is a direct and positive relationship between an organisation’s approach to KM and its economic performance. This study also shows that the workforce’s behaviour and the technological infrastructure of the organisation have a direct effect on business performance. Finally, the authors proposed that a link between human resource management and technology orientation must be established and supported by a KM strategy. Originality/value: This paper offers a new perspective to the approach to KM in organisations. Reflections and empirical results underline the need for organisations to invest in the implementation of KM strategies that involve both the human resources and technological infrastructure as a way to improve the impact of knowledge on the companies’ economic performances

specific targeted integration of kanamycin resistance associated nonselectable dna in the genome of the yeast saccharomyces cerevisiae

ABSTRACT Sophisticated genome manipulation re-quires the possibility to modify any inter-genic or intragenic DNA sequence at will,without leaving large amounts of undesiredvector DNA at the site of alteration. To thisend, a series of vectors was developed froma previous gene knockout plasmid system tointegrate nonselectable foreign DNA at anydesired genomic location in yeast, with aminimum amount of residual plasmid DNA.These vectors have two mutated Flp recog-nition targets ( FRT ) sequences flanking the KanMX4 gene and multiple sites for sub-cloning the DNA fragment to be integrated.The selectable marker can be recycled byFlp site-specific excision between the iden-tical FRT s, thereby allowing the integrationof further DNA fragments. With this system,the NLS-tetR-GFP and DsRed genes weresuccessfully integrated at the thr1 locus,and the RVB1 gene was tagged at the C-terminus with the V5-epitope-6-histidinetag. This plasmid system provides for a newmolecular tool to integrate any DNA frag-ment at any genome location in

Scylax of Caryanda, Pseudo-Scylax, and the Paris Periplus: Reconsidering the Ancient Tradition of a Geographical Text

The Periplus preserved in the manuscript Parisinus suppl. gr. 443, and erroneously ascribed to Scylax of Caryanda (sixth century BC), is the oldest extant specimen of ancient Greek periplography: it belongs to the second half of the fourth century. In the present article, all the testimonies on the ancient tradition of both Scylax and the Paris Periplus are carefully evaluated. The aim is to determine when and why the Paris Periplus was mistakenly ascribed to Scylax and to clear any doubts on the alleged authorship of this ancient geographic work. The confusion, or the wilful falsification, is evident in Strabo: he knew of Scylax’s voyage in the East and at the same time was acquainted with the text of the Paris Periplus, which he ascribed to this famous ancient seafarer. Greek and Latin authors of the Roman Imperial age knew the Paris Periplus, but many followed slavishly the erroneous ascription to Scylax of Caryanda. When Marcianus of Heraclea in the early Byzantine age collected his corpus of ancient Greek geographers he also ascribed the Paris Periplus to Scylax, thus handing down the error to the copyist of the Paris. suppl. gr. 443