Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Serotonin transporter gene promoter polymorphisms modify the association between paroxetine serotonin transporter occupancy and clinical response in major depressive disorder

Background In major depressive disorder, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors target the serotonin transporter (SERT). Their response rates (30–50%) are modified by SERT promotor polymorphisms (5-HTTLPR). Objectives To quantify the relationship between SERT occupancy and response, and whether 5-HTTLPR is a modifier. Methods Drug-free depressed outpatients (n=49; both sexes; aged 25–55 years), received paroxetine (20 mg/day). We quantified SERT occupancy with iodine-123-labeled 2&bgr;-carbomethoxy-3&bgr;-(4-iodophenyl)-tropane single-photon emission computed tomography imaging at baseline and after 6 weeks; we genotyped 5-HTTLPR (S, LG, LA). Primary outcomes: percentage decrease in 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and response (≥50% decrease of 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale). Results A significant positive relationship between SERT occupancy and clinical response existed only in the LA/LA genotype (P<0.002). Relative to paroxetine serum concentrations maximal midbrain SERT occupancy was numerically higher for LA/LA compared with other genotypes, but this difference was nonsignificant (P=0.188). Conclusion Higher SERT occupancy is only associated with more clinical improvement in the LA/LA genotype. We hypothesize that the LA/LA carriers have a more dynamic serotonergic system, which seems more responsive to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. (ISRCTN trial register ISRCTN44111488; http://www.trialregister.nl/trialreg/admin/rctview.asp? TC=193).
Borderline Personality Disorder Features and Pain: The Mediating Role of Negative Affect in a Pain Patient Sample

ObjectivesThere is considerable evidence that personality disorders, including borderline personality disorder (BPD), tend to co-occur with chronic pain. There is also evidence that mood disorders co-occur with chronic pain conditions. Given the central role of affective instability and negative mood states in BPD, we proposed that affective features of depression, anxiety, and hostility may account for the association between BPD features and the severity of pain reported in a patient sample. MethodsSeven hundred seventy-seven patient participants completed the Battery for Health Improvement. This included measures of DSM-IV BPD features, affect scales (depression, anxiety, hostility), and pain items assessing the severity of pain and somatic symptoms. ResultsAs predicted, individuals with higher levels of BPD features reported greater severity of pain and somatic complaints, including higher levels of maximum and minimum pain levels in the past month. In addition as predicted, this association was no longer significant after controlling for affect scales. In particular, depression was strongest in accounting for this association. DiscussionThese results indicate that the association between BPD features and pain is accounted for by negative affect, primarily in the form of depression. This is consistent with current theoretical perspectives on BPD. This also suggests that clinicians observing or detecting BPD features among pain patients should consider negative affect, especially depression, in addressing these issues.
Intraoperative Correction of Induced Astigmatism After Spherical Correction of Hyperopia With Conductive Keratoplasty

Purpose. To evaluate the treatment of surgically induced astigmatism intraoperatively during conductive keratoplasty (CK) for correcting hyperopia. Methods. Conductive keratoplasty uses radiofrequency energy applied to the peripheral corneal stroma to shrink the collagen and alter the central cornea to correct hyperopia. Nineteen consecutive patients (27 eyes) who underwent CK for hyperopia and were treated intraoperatively for induced astigmatism were examined. By using automated keratometric readings taken during the procedure, additional spots were applied at the minus cylinder or flat axis at the 7-mm zone until the intraoperative astigmatism was 2 diopters (D) or less. Results. The intraoperative treatment reduced the astigmatism by an average of 2.30 ± 1.32 D (P=0.00001). The mean induced astigmatism was 3.33 ± 0.14 D for eyes that received eight spots, 4.12 ± 1.13 D for eyes that received 16 spots, 4.43 ± 0.82 D for eyes that received 24 spots, and 4.60 ± 1.08 D for eyes that received 32 spots. Additional spots reduced astigmatism in most patients to less than 2 D. Conclusions. Intraoperative treatment of astigmatism through the addition of more spots at the minus cylinder or flat axis reduced the degree of induced astigmatism. Surgically induced astigmatism was observed more frequently in patients who received 32 treatment spots and 6-mm treatment zone application.
Towards turbulent times: measuring and explaining party system (de-)institutionalization in Western Europe (1945–2015)

Over the last decades, Western European party systems have experienced growing levels of electoral volatility and the recurring emergence of successful new parties. This evidence calls into question the issue of party system institutionalization (PSI), a topic taken for granted so far in Western Europe, following the conventional wisdom that party systems are highly institutionalized in this region. This article tackles this issue and provides some contributions: it offers a theoretical clarification of PSI and develops an index allowing for cross-country and cross-time comparability; it looks for an explanation, by testing the impact of various potential determinants and their changes over time. Covering 324 elections in 19 countries since 1945, the analysis shows that, since the 1970s, a process of de-institutionalization is going on and that PSI is mainly a function of the cleavage structure and the number of parties, with economic performance becoming relevant only in the last period.
Influence of obesity and physical workload on disability benefits among construction workers followed up for 37 years

Objectives The objectives of this study are to investigate the relation between obesity and labour force exit via diagnosis-specific disability benefits, and whether physical workload modifies this association. Methods A longitudinal analysis was performed among 3 28 743 Swedish construction workers in the age of 15–65 years. Body weight and height were measured at a health examination and enriched with register information on disability benefits up to 37 years later. Diagnoses of disability benefits were categorised into cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), musculoskeletal diseases (MSDs), mental disorders and others. A job exposure matrix, based on self-reported lifting of heavy loads and working in bent forward or twisted position, was applied as a measure of physical workload. Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were performed, and the relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI) between obesity and physical workload was calculated. Results Obese construction workers were at increased risk of receiving disability benefits (HR 1.70, 95% CI 1.65 to 2.76), mainly through CVD (HR 2.30) and MSD (HR 1.71). Construction workers with a high physical workload were also more likely to receive a disability benefit (HR 2.28, 95% CI 2.21 to 2.34), particularly via MSD (HR 3.02). Obesity in combination with a higher physical workload increased the risk of disability benefits (RERI 0.28) more than the sum of the risks of obesity and higher physical workload, particularly for MSD (RERI 0.44). Conclusions Obesity and a high physical workload are risk factors for disability benefit. Furthermore, these factors are synergistic risk factors for labour force exit via disability benefit through MSD. Comprehensive programmes that target health promotion to prevent obesity and ergonomic interventions to reduce physical workload are important to facilitate sustained employment.
Planar Biped Walking With an Equilibrium Point Controller and State Machines

In this paper, we present both simulation analysis and experimental study of a planar dynamic biped walking robot. The proposed control structure involves an equilibrium point controller at the local joint level and state machines at the interjoint level. The robot has actuated hip joints and knee joints as well as unactuated ankle joints with curved feet. We first show in simulation analysis that stable walking by this robot is possible with various gait patterns and a wide range of walking speed. Then, we implement the controller on a real biped robot, and show in real-time experiments that, by directly changing two controller parameters, the robot can change its walking gait/speed on the fly and can achieve a very fast walking speed.
Novel Inhibitory Effects of γ-Glutamylcysteine Ethyl Ester against Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Production and Propagation

ABSTRACT The anti-human immunodeficiency virus type I (anti-HIV-1) effects of γ-glutamylcysteine ethyl ester (γ-GCE; TEI-2306) were examined in vitro. In initial studies using a vigorously HIV-1-producing human T-lymphocytic cell line, γ-GCE displayed a novel biphasic repressive effect on chronic HIV-1 infection that was unlike that of other glutathione prodrugs or other reported antioxidants. In high doses, up to a concentration of 2.5 mM, at which neither glutathione (GSH) nor another GSH precursor has shown inhibitory effects, γ-GCE potently inhibited the production of HIV-1 by a selective cytopathic effect against infected cells, while the viability and growth of uninfected cells were unaffected at the same γ-GCE concentrations. At lower concentrations (200 to 400 μM), γ-GCE significantly repressed the virus production from chronically HIV-1-expressing cells without affecting their viability. The discrepancy of the thresholds of the toxic doses between infected and uninfected cells was found to be more than 10-fold. Relatively high doses of γ-GCE, utilized in acute HIV-1 infection of T-lymphocytic cells, entirely blocked the propagation of HIV-1 and rescued the cells from HIV-1-induced cell death. Furthermore, γ-GCE at such concentrations was found to directly inhibit the infectivity of HIV-1 within 4 h. Repressive effects of γ-GCE on acute HIV-1 infection in human primary human peripheral blood mononuclear cells were also demonstrated. Here, the anti-HIV-1 strategy utilizing γ-GCE is removal of both HIV-1-producing cells and free infectious HIV-1 in vitro, in place of specific immunoclearance in vivo, which might lead to an arrest or slowing of viral propagation in HIV-1-infected individuals.
TREND INFLATION AND EQUILIBRIUM STABILITY: FIRM-SPECIFIC VERSUS HOMOGENEOUS LABOR

In sticky price models based on micro evidence that each period a fraction of prices are kept unchanged, recent studies reach the qualitatively equivalent conclusion that higher trend inflation is a more serious source of indeterminacy of rational expectations equilibrium, regardless of whether labor is firm-specific or homogeneous. This paper shows that the model with firm-specific labor is more susceptible to indeterminacy induced by high trend inflation than the model with homogeneous labor, because these two different specifications of labor lead to distinct representations of inflation dynamics. In addition, the model with firm-specific labor is more susceptible to expectational instability of the equilibrium caused by high trend inflation.
Short-term memory for spatial configurations in the tactile modality: A comparison with vision

This study investigates the role of acquisition constraints on the short-term retention of spatial configurations in the tactile modality in comparison with vision. It tests whether the sequential processing of information inherent to the tactile modality could account for limitation in short-term memory span for tactual-spatial information. In addition, this study investigates developmental aspects of short-term memory for tactual- and visual-spatial configurations. A total of 144 child and adult participants were assessed for their memory span in three different conditions: tactual, visual, and visual with a limited field of view. The results showed lower tactual-spatial memory span than visual-spatial, regardless of age. However, differences in memory span observed between the tactile and visual modalities vanished when the visual processing of information occurred within a limited field. These results provide evidence for an impact of acquisition constraints on the retention of spatial information in the tactile modality in both childhood and adulthood.
Serum bilirubin concentration in a Belgian population: the association with smoking status and type of cigarettes.

BACKGROUND The endogenous antioxidant serum bilirubin may scavenge free radical species from cigarette smoke. Smokers are expected to have lower serum bilirubin levels than never smokers, but this has never been evaluated in a random population sample of women and men. In addition, in vitro studies indicate that filter cigarette smoke might enhance bilirubin oxidation more than non-filter cigarette smoke. METHODS In this paper, data were analysed from the Belgian Interuniversity Research on Nutrition and Health (BIRNH) study. We investigated the association of smoking and type of cigarettes with serum bilirubin concentrations in men and women using multiple regression models taking into account differences in baseline and smoking characteristics. RESULTS In men, current smokers had lower crude and adjusted serum bilirubin concentrations compared with never smokers (P = 0.0001). For women, the association between smoking and serum bilirubin concentrations adjusted for age was in the same direction as for men, but did not reach statistical significance. Male former smokers had serum bilirubin concentrations in between those of current smokers and never smokers, while female former smokers had even higher (+ 0.50 micromol/l) serum bilirubin concentrations than never smokers. Male subjects smoking filter cigarettes showed a higher serum bilirubin concentration than those smoking cigarettes without a filter (adjusted difference: 0.49 micromol/l; P = 0.03). The duration of smoking was inversely and significantly related to serum bilirubin concentrations (P = 0.0003). CONCLUSION Smoking may lower serum bilirubin concentrations in men, especially in those smoking non-filter cigarettes. The duration of smoking is a more important determinant for serum bilirubin concentrations than the number of cigarettes smoked per day, which may indicate the cumulative negative effects of smoking on the endogenous antioxidant system. Results for females pointed in the same direction, but were less clear, possibly due to low numbers of smoking women, who were largely young and smoked mainly filter cigarettes for a shorter period of time.
CHOOSING BETWEEN AN ESTATE TAX AND A BASIS CARRYOVER REGIME: EVIDENCE FROM 2010

Executors of estates for decedents in 2010 could choose between an estate tax regime and a basis carry-over regime. This typically created a tradeoff between a current estate tax payment and a future capital gains tax liability for beneficiaries who inherited assets with carryover-basis. Some executors chose to file estate tax returns, but these filings yielded very little estate tax revenue. Evidence from tax returns suggest that an increase of one percent of estate value in the difference between estate tax liability and prospective tax liability under the carryover basis regime reduced the likelihood of filing an estate tax return by between 0.3 and 1.5 percentage points.
Extrapulmonary Sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis can affect any organ in the body. Frequently extrapulmonary manifestations of the disease are the major cause of morbidity. Treatment of extrapulmonary sarcoidosis often requires consideration of alternative immunosuppressive agents, topical therapy, or therapy that is not specifically directed against the granulomatous inflammation of the disease. This article reviews the clinical presentation and therapy of extrapulmonary sarcoidosis.
Secure Precise Wireless Transmission with Random-Subcarrier-Selection-based Directional Modulation Transmit Antenna Array

In this paper, a practical wireless transmission scheme is proposed to transmit confidential messages to the desired user securely and precisely by the joint use of multiple techniques including artificial noise (AN) projection, phase alignment (PA)/beamforming, and random subcarrier selection (RSCS) based on OFDM, and directional modulation (DM), namely RSCS-OFDM-DM. This RSCS-OFDM-DM scheme provides an extremely low-complexity structures for the transmitter and desired receiver and makes the secure and precise wireless transmission realizable in practice. For illegal eavesdroppers, the receive power of confidential messages is so weak that their receivers cannot intercept these confidential messages successfully once it is corrupted by AN. In such a scheme, the design of phase alignment/beamforming vector and AN projection matrix depend intimately on the desired direction angle and distance. It is particularly noted that the use of RSCS leads to a significant outcome that the receive power of confidential messages mainly concentrates on the small neighboring region around the desired receiver and only small fraction of its power leaks out to the remaining large broad regions. This concept is called secure precise transmission. The probability density function of real-time receive signal-to-interference-and-noise ratio (SINR) is derived. Also, the average SINR and its tight upper bound are attained. The approximate closed-form expression for average secrecy rate is derived by analyzing the first-null positions of SINR and clarifying the wiretap region.
Domestic Market Integration in China: The Role of the Financial Sector

Market integration in China has attracted substantial public attention, but little is known about the role that the financial sector plays in this process. This article is the first to empirically examine the effect of financial sector development on spatial market integration in China. Moreover, it explores the differential impacts of financial sector development across regions. Surprisingly, our results show that the development of the financial sector undermines spatial market integration in China due to local protectionism and strategic behavior. Further, the effects of various factors on market integration differ between economically developed and undeveloped areas.
Cultural Keystone Species: Implications for Ecological Conservation and Restoration

Ecologists have long recognized that some species, by virtue of the key roles they play in the overall structure and functioning of an ecosystem, are essential to its integrity; these are known as keystone species. Similarly, in human cultures everywhere, there are plants and animals that form the contextual underpinnings of a culture, as reflected in their fundamental roles in diet, as materials, or in medicine. In addition, these species often feature prominently in the language, ceremonies, and narratives of native peoples and can be considered cultural icons. Without these "cultural keystone species," the societies they support would be completely different. An obvious example is western red-cedar (Thuja plicata) for Northwest Coast cultures of North America. Often prominent elements of local ecosystems, cultural keystone species may be used and harvested in large quantities and intensively managed for quality and productivity. Given that biological conservation and ecological restoration embody human cultures as crucial components, one approach that may improve success in overall conservation or restoration efforts is to recognize and focus on cultural keystone species. In this paper, we explore the concept of cultural keystone species, describe similarities to and differences from ecological keystone species, present examples from First Nations cultures of British Columbia, and discuss the application of this concept in ecological restoration and conservation initiatives.
Practice of Epidemiology Comparability and Representativeness of Control Groups in a Case-Control Study of Infant Leukemia: A Report From the Children’s Oncology Group

Traditionally, controls in US pediatric cancer studies were selected through random digit dialing. With declining participation and lack of nonparticipant information, random digit dialing (RDD) controls may be substandard. Birth certificate (BC) controls are an alternative, because they are population based and include data from nonparticipants. The authors examined controls collected by random digit dialing and birth certificates for a Children’s Oncology Group case-control study of infant leukemia in 1995–2006. Demographic variables were used to assess differences in RDD and BC controls and their representativeness. RDD and BC controls did not differ significantly with regard to maternal variables (age, race, education, marital status, alcohol during pregnancy) or child variables (sex, gestational age, birth weight), but they varied in smoking during pregnancy (22% RDD controls, 12% BC controls) (P 1⁄4 0.05). The study’s combined control group differed significantly from US births: Mothers of controls were more likely to be older (29.8 vs. 27.2 years), white (84% vs. 59%), and married (85% vs. 67%) and to have >16 years of education (37% vs. 25%). Control children were more often full term (88% vs. 81%) and heavier (3,436 vs. 3,317 g). Finally, participating BCmothers were likely to be older and to have more education than nonparticipants. Thus, the study’s control groups were comparable but differed from the population of interest.
Mechanism of endothelial cell shape change and cytoskeletal remodeling in response to fluid shear stress.

Endothelium exposed to fluid shear stress (FSS) undergoes cell shape change, alignment and microfilament network remodeling in the direction of flow by an unknown mechanism. In this study we explore the role of tyrosine kinase (TK) activity, intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i), mechanosensitive channels and cytoskeleton in the mechanism of cell shape change and actin stress fiber induction in bovine aortic endothelium (BAE). We report that FSS induces beta-actin mRNA in a time- and magnitude-dependent fashion. Treatment with quin2-AM to chelate intracellular calcium release and herbimycin A to inhibit TK activity abolished BAE shape change and actin stress fiber induction by FSS, while inhibition of protein kinase C with chelerythrine had no effect. Altering intermediate filament structure with acrylamide did not affect alignment or F-actin induction by FSS. Examining the role of the BAE cytoskeleton revealed a critical role for microtubules (MT). MT disruption with nocodazole blocked both FSS-induced morphological change and actin stress fiber induction. In contrast, MT hyperpolymerization with taxol attenuated the cell shape change but did not prevent actin stress fiber induction under flow. Mechanosensitive channels were found not to be involved in the FSS-induced shape change. Blocking the shear-activated current (IK.S) with barium and the stretch-activated cation channels (ISA) with gadolinium had no effect on the shear-induced changes in morphology and cytoskeleton. In summary, FSS has a profound effect on endothelial shape and F-actin network by a mechanism which depends on TK activity, intracellular calcium, and an intact microtubule network, but is independent of protein kinase C, intermediate filaments and shear- and stretch-activated mechanosensitive channels.