Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Neuroendocrine aspects of primary endogenous depression. XI. Serum melatonin measures in patients and matched control subjects.

To ascertain the extent of dysregulation of melatonin secretion in endogenous depression, we measured nocturnal and diurnal serum melatonin concentrations in 38 depressed patients (23 women and 15 men) who had primary, definite endogenous depression according to the Research Diagnostic Criteria and in 38 individually matched normal control subjects. Previous reports have suggested that such patients may have reduced nocturnal melatonin secretion, often in conjunction with increased hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal cortical axis activity. This has been considered as a possible reflection of reduced noradrenergic activity in depression. Compared with their matched controls, the depressed patients showed a trend toward a significantly elevated average nocturnal melatonin concentration that was accounted for primarily by the 14 premenopausal women--the postmenopausal female and male depressive patients did not differ significantly from their respective controls. The average diurnal melatonin concentration also showed a trend toward being higher in both the female and male depressed patients. The melatonin measures were not consistently related to any of the previously reported hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal cortical axis measures in these subjects. Our findings thus failed to confirm a "low melatonin syndrome" or an inverse relationship between nocturnal melatonin and nocturnal cortisol concentrations in depression. This discrepancy may be related to methodologic differences among studies; our data are in accord with those findings of the one other reported study in which normal controls were individually matched to patients on variables that were known to influence melatonin secretion. Most of the studies, including ours, have been cross-sectional. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
User-oriented graph based frequency allocation algorithm for densely deployed femtocell network

Femtocell is a promising technology for improving indoor coverage and offloading the macrocell. Femtocells tend to be densely deployed in populated areas such as the dormitories. However, the inter-tier interference seriously exists in the co-channel Densely Deployed Femtocell Network (DDFN). Since the Femtocell Access Points (FAPs) are randomly deployed by their customers, the interference cannot be predicted in advance. Meanwhile, new characteristics such as the short radius of femtocell and the small number of users lead to the inefficiency of the traditional frequency reuse algorithms such as Fractional Frequency Reuse (FFR). Aiming for the downlink interference coordination in the DDFN, in this paper, we propose a User-oriented Graph based Frequency Allocation (UGFA) algorithm. Firstly, we construct the interference graph for users in the network. Secondly, we study the conventional graph based resources allocation algorithm. Then an improved two steps graph based frequency allocation mechanism is proposed. Simulation results show that UGFA has a high frequency reuse ratio mean while guarantees a better throughput.
Interleukin 1 Polymorphisms and Intervertebral Disc Degeneration

Background: Enzymatic breakdown of the extracellular matrix, and possibly local inflammation, contributes to intervertebral disc degeneration. We investigated whether polymorphisms within the IL-1 gene locus are associated with lumbar disc degeneration and whether the effect of occupational physical load on disc degeneration is modified by the polymorphisms. Methods: Genotypes were determined from 133 middle-aged men who underwent magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar spine. The participants represented 3 occupations: 40 were machine drivers, 42 carpenters, and 51 office workers. We evaluated decreased signal intensity of the nucleus pulposus, disc bulges, and decreased disc height as signs of degeneration in the L2/L3–L5/S1 discs. Results: The odds ratio for disc bulges was 2.4 (95% confidence interval = 1.2– 4.8) and 1.9 (1.0–3.7), in carriers of the IL-1αT889 or IL-1βT3954 alleles, respectively. The TT genotype of the IL-1α gene carried more than 3-fold risk of disc bulges as compared with the CC genotype. Conclusions: IL-1 gene cluster polymorphisms could affect the risk of disc degeneration. The effect of physical workload seems to be modified by the IL-1 gene polymorphisms.
The impact of incident methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus detection on pulmonary function in cystic fibrosis

The incidence of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection is increasing in cystic fibrosis (CF), but the impact of MRSA detection on clinical outcomes is unclear. Our objective was to determine whether incident detection of MRSA is associated with a change in pulmonary function over time in CF patients. We analyzed data from the Epidemiologic Study of Cystic Fibrosis (ESCF), a prospective observational study of CF patients in North America. Multivariable piecewise linear regression was used to model the impact of incident detection of MRSA on pulmonary function over time, measured by percent predicted forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1% predicted), adjusting for potential confounders. There were 5,090 patients ≥6 years old who were MRSA negative for at least 2 calendar years. Five hundred ninety‐three (12%) of these patients acquired MRSA during the years 2001–2003, with detection rates of MRSA during those years rising from 4.4% to 6.9%. MRSA positive patients had a lower FEV1% predicted and received more antibiotic and other therapies than patients who remained MRSA negative. After adjusting for antibiotic therapy and other potential confounders, MRSA positive patients also had a higher rate of decline in FEV1% predicted both before and after the incident culture, although the rate of FEV1% predicted decline did not change significantly after MRSA detection. In conclusion, although MRSA in CF was a marker for more aggressive therapy and may reflect increased disease severity, incident MRSA detection was not associated with a changing rate of FEV1% predicted decline. Pediatr. Pulmonol. 2008; 43:1117–1123. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) and Tc-99m pertechnate scan findings of a patient with unilateral subacute thyroiditis.

Abstract:A 57-year-old man visited the clinic with myalgia and neck pain. The patient complained of previous upper respiratory infection (URI) symptoms. Mild goiter was found on physical examination. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was elevated (59 mm/h). Thyroid function tests revealed an elev
Conflicts of Interest and Misleading Statements in Official Reports about the Health Consequences of Radiofrequency Radiation and Some New Measurements of Exposure Levels

Official reports to governments throughout the Western world attempt to allay public concern about the increasing inescapability of the microwaves (also known as radiofrequency radiation or RF) emitted by “smart” technologies, by repeating the dogma that the only proven biological effect of RF is acute tissue heating, and assuring us that the levels of radiation to which the public are exposed are significantly less than those needed to cause acute tissue heating. The present paper first shows the origin of this “thermal-only” dogma in the military paranoia of the 1950s. It then reveals how financial conflict of interest and intentionally misleading statements have been powerful factors in preserving that dogma in the face of now overwhelming evidence that it is false, using one 2018 report to ministers of the New Zealand government as an example. Lastly, some new pilot measurements of ambient RF power densities in Auckland city are reported and compared with levels reported in other cities, various international exposure limits, and levels shown scientifically to cause biological harm. It is concluded that politicians in the Western world should stop accepting soothing reports from individuals with blatant conflicts of interest and start taking the health and safety of their communities seriously.
Spatial and temporal variability of daily precipitation concentration in the Sardinia region (Italy)

Recent studies evidenced that extreme daily rainfall often increases in spite of a decrease of the total rainfall. For this reason, the analysis of daily precipitation concentration is an important issue in climate research and can be useful to evaluate risks linked to extreme rainfall events. In this paper, an analysis of the spatial and temporal variability of the daily precipitation concentration in the Sardinia region, the second largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, has been performed for the period 1922–2011 by applying the Concentration Index. First, the CI has been evaluated at annual and seasonal scale. Then, the coefficient of variation, and the 5th and 95th percentiles of the annual CI values were calculated and mapped as a set of descriptors of variability and extreme characterization of precipitation concentration across the study area. Finally, in order to evaluate the temporal evolution of the CI, a trend analysis has been also performed using the Mann–Kendall test. Results show CI values ranging from a minimum of 0.477 to a maximum of 0.723. Spatially, the region can be divided in two parts with opposite behaviours: the western side characterized by a more uniform temporal distribution of rainfall intensity and the eastern side with the most critical intensity and aggressiveness of rainfall. From a seasonal point of view, this spatial gradient was evidenced in winter, spring and autumn while summer showed a more homogeneous spatial distribution of CI. The spatial distribution of the coefficient of variation did not show any spatial gradient between the two sides of the region, both at annual and seasonal scale. As regards the trend analysis, a marked positive trend of the CI has been detected, thus indicating a tendency towards more intense and aggressive rainfall. Copyright © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Si CMOS Image-Sensors Designed With Hydrogen-Ion Implantation Induced Nanocavities for Enhancing Output Voltage Sensing Margin via Proximity Gettering

Si CMOS image-sensor (CIS) cells were designed by implementing proximity relaxation gettering sites of hydrogen-ion implantation-induced nanocavities (20–35 nm in diameter) underneath Si photodiode regions to enhance the sensing margin of output voltage in CIS cells. They enabled almost no degradation in the output voltage sensing margin, although ~<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$ 10^{{\mathsf {14}}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>cm<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$^{{\mathsf {-2}}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> of Fe, Cu, Ni, and Co contaminants were introduced in the photodiode regions of CIS cells, demonstrating an excellent relaxation gettering ability. However, Si CIS cells designed with p/p<sup>++</sup> epitaxial wafers, which are widely used, showed that the sensing margin of the CIS cells significantly decreased as the concentration of Cu and Ni contaminants in the Si photodiode regions increased, indicating no segregation gettering ability.
Platypus and Parliament: The Australian Senate in Theory and Practice

DR STANLEY BACH has published extensively on the United States Congress and other legislatures and has worked as a consultant on parliamentary process in Asia, Africa, South America and Eastern Europe. For more than 30 years he worked with and provided advice to Senators and Representatives on the operations of the US Congress. From 1988 to 2002 he held the office of Senior Specialist in the Legislative Process for the Congressional Research Service of the Library of Congress.
Characterization of eleven antigenic groups in Trichinella genus and identification of stage and species markers

Several monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) were raised against the L1 muscle stage (L1M) of Trichinella spiralis (Ts) and Trichinella pseudospiralis (Tp). Western blot analysis of various antigenic preparations established that Mabs described by different authors recognized 8 antigenic fractions (TSL1–TSL8) in crude extracts of infective larvae. The TSL1 fraction was immunodominant and present on the cuticle of different parasite stages. Mabs against Trichinella T5 (T5) and Ts were selected in order to extend the previous studies to another Trichinella phenotype. Only 35% of the selected Mabs recognized linear epitopes and 71% reacted with soluble or excretory–secretory antigens in a dot blot procedure and ELISA test. The targets of the Mabs were identified by immunoprecipitation with [35S]methionine-labelled L1M worm lysate. Mabs prepared from mice immunized with the whole parasite (T5) recognized a wider panel of antigens in different parasitic organs. Seven antigenic structures were distinguished on the cuticle and several epitopes were identified in the gut, haemolymph and stichocytes. Eleven antigenic groups were established according to their indirect immunofluorescence pattern on cross-sections of the worm. Monoclonal antibodies raised against Ts soluble antigen mainly recognized epitopes in stichocytes and on the cuticle surface. All the selected Mabs recognized T5 and Trichinella britovi (Tb) strengthening the link between these 2 species. Four Mabs were used to differentiate antigenic structures among 6 Trichinella phenotypes and to develop a new tool to follow gene flow within the Trichinella genus.
Impact of Insecticide Residue Exposure on the Invasive Pest, Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae): Analysis of Adult Mobility

ABSTRACT Twenty eight insecticides were evaluated in the laboratory to characterize the impact of specific compounds on locomotory behavior and mobility of adult Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). Horizontal distance and angular velocity were measured for individuals exposed to dry insecticide residue for 4.5 h to evaluate how quickly and intensely a given insecticide induced changes in motor activities in no-choice glass arenas. Eight out of nine pyrethroid insecticides induced uncoordinated and irregular movement within 10 min after exposure to insecticides. After 1.5 h, most adults were incapacitated. By contrast, there was no immediate stimulation when H. halys were exposed to organophosphate residues. After 1.5 h, four out of seven organophosphates resulted in increased horizontal distance moved and angular velocity indicating irregular walking paths by exposed adults. Carbamate and neonicotinoid insecticides produced fairly similar patterns with virtually no stimulation in horizontal distance moved or angular velocity, except for imidacloprid and thiacloprid. Neither endosulfan (organochlorine) nor indoxacarb (oxadiazine) affected the horizontal movement of H. halys. Vertical distance climbed by adult H. halys was measured immediately after the 4.5-h insecticide exposure period and at 7 d. In general, adults that survived until day 7 were able to climb vertical distances similar to those in the control. In particular, this result was observed for seven out of nine pyrethroid materials that incapacitated all adults after the 4.5-h exposure period. Mobility changes of adult H. halys are discussed in the context of enhancing integrated pest management programs.
Patterns of EEG Frequency, Movement, Heart Rate, and Oxygenation after Isolated Short Apneas in Infants

Patterns of events occurring at the end of apneas have rarely been reported in infants. No previous studies have compared these patterns to those of spontaneous events during sleep. We examined 163 isolated apneas in 17 infants (47 ± 4 wk postconceptional age) who underwent polysomnography for suspected upper airway problems. Mean apnea duration was 6.5 ± 1.5 s (range, 5 to 11.5 s), 78% of apneas occurred in active sleep, and 67% of apneas were obstructive. We recorded the occurrence of body movement or augmented breath and analyzed changes in EEG frequency ≥ 1 s, heart rate, and oxygen saturation value at the end of apneas and of a control ventilatory period defined as a period of breathing equal in duration to the apnea and preceding the apnea by 1 min. We found that 7.9% of apneas and 11.6% of control periods were followed by an augmented breath and that 14.1% of apneas and 0.5% of control periods were followed by a body movement. The percentages of motor events or no event differed significantly after the apneas (p= 0.008) compared with the control periods. A significant increase in EEG frequency was observed at the end of the apneas compared with the control periods (p< 0.04). EEG frequency increased after 61% of the apneas. Neither heart rate nor oxygen saturation value changed after the control periods. Heart rate decreased significantly after the apneas not followed by a motor event (p= 0.02) but not after the apneas followed by a body movement. We conclude that 1) at termination of isolated apneas in infants, a motor event was rare, whereas an EEG frequency increase was common;2) event patterns at apnea termination differed from those at control period termination.
Pyoderma gangrenosum and sarcoidosis.

Pyoderma gangrenosum was diagnosed in two patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis who were being treated with low doses of oral prednisone. These cases illustrate the tendency of pyoderma gangrenosum to develop in patients with defective immune reactivity and in those being treated with immunosuppressive agents. Report of Cases Case 1. — A 50-year-old man was seen in July 1981, because of a nine-month history of multiple ulcerating skin lesions that had not responded to local therapy, orally administered antibiotics, or skin grafting. He had a 15-year history of pulmonary sarcoidosis diagnosed by open-lung biopsy and treated with prednisone. He was taking 15 mg/day of prednisone when the cutaneous lesions developed. Examination disclosed 20 to 30 deep tender ulcers on the legs, arms, and abdomen. The ulcers were 1 to 10 cm in
Radiosensitization by inhibition of IkappaB-alpha phosphorylation in human glioma cells.

To assess the role of nuclear factor kappaB (NFKB) in cellular radiosensitivity, three different IkappaB-alpha (also known as NFKBIA) expression plasmids, i.e., S-IkappaB (mutations at (32, 36)Ser), Y-IkappaB (a mutation at (42)Tyr), and SY-IkappaB, were constructed and introduced into human brain tumor M054 cells. The clones were named as M054-S8, M054-Y2 and M054-SY4, respectively. Compared to the parental cell line, M054-S8 and M054-Y2 cells were more sensitive to X rays while M054-SY4 cells exhibited the greatest sensitivity. After treatment with N-acetyl-Leu-Leu-norleucinal, a proteasome inhibitor, the X-ray sensitivity of M054-S8 and M054-SY4 cells did not change, while that of M054-Y2 cells and the parental cells was enhanced. An increase in X-ray sensitivity accompanied by a decrease in translocation of NFKB to the nucleus in parental cells was observed after treatment with pervanadate, an inhibitor of tyrosine phosphatase, as well as in M054-S8 and M054-SY4 cells. Repair of potentially lethal damage (PLD) was observed in the parental cells but not in the clones. Four hours after irradiation (8 Gy), the expression of TP53 and phospho-p53 ((15)Ser) was induced in the parental cells but not in M054-S8, M054-Y2 or M054-SY4 cells. Our data suggest that inhibition of IkappaB-alpha phosphorylation at serine or tyrosine acts independently in sensitizing cells to X rays. NFKB may play a role in determining radiosensitivity and PLD repair in malignant glioma cells; TP53 may also be involved.
Dissociation of myosin phosphorylation and active tension during muscarinic stimulation of tracheal smooth muscle.

The Ca dependence of contraction and myosin phosphorylation was investigated in canine tracheal smooth muscle stimulated with carbachol, K or serotonin. Previous studies of tracheal muscle showed carbachol concentration-response curves for contraction and myosin phosphorylation were superposable. In contrast, there was a striking difference in the Ca++ sensitivities of tension and myosin phosphorylation when Ca++ concentration-response curves were constructed in the presence of 10(-7) M carbachol. Significant phosphorylation (greater than 0.3 moles phosphate/mole 20,000 dalton myosin light chain) was observed in the absence of active tension. In the present study, carbachol (10(-7) and 10(-6) M) and serotonin (10(-5) M) also induced significant myosin phosphorylation in low Ca++ solutions (0-0.025 mM CaCl2) without proportional increases in tension. K+ depolarization in Ca++-free physiological salt solution (60 mM KCl, 10(-6) M atropine) yielded phosphorylation not significantly different from basal levels. All stimulants induced active stress after readmission of Ca. The Ca++ dependence curve for myosin phosphorylation in muscles stimulated with carbachol was shifted up and to the left of the force curve. Atropine (10(-6) M) significantly reduced phosphorylation induced by carbachol in Ca++-free solutions, as did 3 X 10(-6) M nifedipine and 10 mM ethylene glycol bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N'-tetraacetic acid. Phorbol 12-myristate, 13-acetate or phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate did not increase basal phosphorylation or phosphorylation in low Ca++ solutions, suggesting that protein kinase C did not phosphorylate myosin in this case. Myosin phosphorylation under these conditions is not sufficient to support contraction, and is reduced by treatments that decrease Ca++ entry. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Individual Giving to Support Cultural Heritage

The aim of this paper is to analyze patterns of private individual giving to cultural heritage institutions in Italy. Based on the emerging economic literature on prosocial behavior, we carried out a survey to assess individuals’ willingness to donate to museums and heritage organizations according to different conditions and set of incentives. Our findings reveal that the intrinsic motivations and accountability of the recipient institutions may be more effective drivers of charitable giving than the usually proposed fiscal incentives. The results provide avenues for future empirical research and policy suggestions for fundraising by cultural institutions.
Open and continuous fermentation: Products, conditions and bioprocess economy

Microbial fermentation is the key to industrial biotechnology. Most fermentation processes are sensitive to microbial contamination and require an energy intensive sterilization process. The majority of microbial fermentations can only be conducted over a short period of time in a batch or fed‐batch culture, further increasing energy consumption and process complexity, and these factors contribute to the high costs of bio‐products. In an effort to make bio‐products more economically competitive, increased attention has been paid to developing open (unsterile) and continuous processes. If well conducted, continuous fermentation processes will lead to the reduced cost of industrial bio‐products. To achieve cost‐efficient open and continuous fermentations, the feeding of raw materials and the removal of products must be conducted in a continuous manner without the risk of contamination, even under ‘open’ conditions. Factors such as the stability of the biological system as a whole during long cultivations, as well as the yield and productivity of the process, are also important. Microorganisms that grow under extreme conditions such as high or low pH, high osmotic pressure, and high or low temperature, as well as under conditions of mixed culturing, cell immobilization, and solid state cultivation, are of interest for developing open and continuous fermentation processes.