Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sensitivity Disturbances in Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Fibromyalgia

BACKGROUND:Although visceral hypersensitivity is a common feature among patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), studies on somatic sensitivity have given controversial results.AIM:To assess visceral sensitivity in response to isotonic rectal distensions and somatic sensitivity at different layers of the body wall (skin, subcutis, and muscle) in patients with IBS and fibromyalgia (FM), within and outside the area of abdominal pain referral.MATERIALS AND METHODS:We studied 10 patients with IBS, 5 patients with FM, 9 patients with IBS+FM, and 9 healthy controls. Rectal distensions were performed by increasing tension at 4 g steps up to 64 g or discomfort. Pain thresholds to electrical stimulation were measured within and outside the areas of abdominal pain referral.RESULTS:Patients with IBS and IBS+FM demonstrated rectal hypersensitivity in comparison to controls. The threshold of discomfort was 44 ± 5 g in IBS and 36 ± 5 in IBS+FM patients, while patients with FM and healthy controls tolerated all distensions without discomfort. In the areas of pain referral, pain thresholds of all three tissues of the body wall were lower than normal in all patients groups (p < 0.001). In control areas, the pain thresholds were normal in skin, and lower than normal in subcutis and muscle in IBS (p < 0.001). FM and IBS+FM demonstrated somatic hypersensitivity at all sites (p < 0.001 vs healthy). CONCLUSION:Our observations seem to indicate that, although sharing a common hypersensitivity background, multiple mechanisms may modulate perceptual somatic and visceral responses in patients with IBS and FM.
The antidepressant‐like effect of the melatonin receptor ligand luzindole in mice during forced swimming requires expression of MT2 but not MT1 melatonin receptors

Abstract: We previously reported an antidepressant‐like effect in C3H/HeN mice during the forced swimming test (FST) following treatment with the MT1/MT2 melatonin receptor ligand, luzindole. This study investigated the role melatonin receptors (MT1 and/or MT2) may play in the effect of luzindole in the FST using C3H/HeN mice with a genetic deletion of either MT1 (MT1KO) or MT2 (MT2KO) melatonin receptors. In the light phase (ZT 9–11), luzindole (30 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly decreased immobility during swimming in both wild type (WT) (135.6 ± 25.3 s, n = 7) and MT1KO (132.6 ± 13.3 s, n = 8) as compared with vehicle‐treated mice (WT: 207.1 ± 6.0 s, n = 7; MT1KO: 209.5 ± 6.2 s, n = 8) (P < 0.001). In the dark phase (ZT 20–22), luzindole also decreased time of immobility in both WT (89.5 ± 13.9 s, n = 8) and MT1KO (66.5 ± 6.4 s, n = 8) mice as compared with the vehicle treated (WT: 193.8 ± 3.5, n = 6; MT1KO: 176.6 ± 6.2 s, n = 8) (P < 0.001). Genetic disruption of the MT1 gene did not alter the diurnal rhythm of serum melatonin in MT1KO mice (ZT 9–11: 1.3 ± 0.6 pg/mL, n = 7; ZT 20–22: 10.3 ± 1.1 pg/mL, n = 8) as compared with WT (ZT 9–11: 1.4 ± 0.7 pg/mL; ZT 20–22: 10.6 pg/mL). Swimming did not alter the serum melatonin diurnal rhythm in WT and MT1KO mice. Decreases in immobility of WT and MT1KO mice by luzindole treatment were not affected by gender or age (3 months versus 8 months). In contrast, luzindole did not decrease immobility during the FST in MT2KO mice. We conclude that the antidepressant‐like effect of luzindole may be mediated through blockade of MT2 rather than MT1 melatonin receptors.
Mutants of Actinomyces viscosus T14V lacking type 1, type 2, or both types of fimbriae

Mutants of Actinomyces viscosus T14V lacking type 1 or type 2 fimbriae or both were selected by their failure to react with rabbit antibodies against either or both fimbrial antigens. Immunospecific double labeling with iron dextran and ferritin-conjugated antibodies showed two types of fimbriae on individual cells of the parent organism, a single type on mutant strains with type 1+2- and type 1-2+ fimbriae and no labeled or unlabeled fimbriae on a type 1-2- fimbria-deficient strain. The mutational loss of one fimbrial antigen did not appear to affect expression of the other, since bacteria with one or two types of fimbriae bound similar amounts of a monoclonal antibody directed against the fimbrial antigen present on both bacterial phenotypes. The strong adsorption of strains with type 1+2+ or 1+2- fimbriae to saliva-treated hydroxyapatite and weak adsorption of those with type 1-2+ or no fimbriae was consistent with the known involvement of type 1 fimbriae in this attachment process. Similarly, the A. viscosus lectin was clearly associated with the expression of type 2 fimbriae, since only the strains with type 1+2+ or 1-2+ fimbriae participated in lactose-sensitive coaggregations with Streptococcus sanguis 34. Further studies using the fimbria-deficient mutant strains showed that aggregation of A. viscosus T14V in the presence of sialidase-treated human saliva involved both types of fimbriae, whereas neither type was required for the lactose-resistant coaggregation of the organism with certain streptococcal strains.
Service User Integration into Social Work Education: Lessons Learned from Nordic Participatory Action Projects

Service users have lacked substantial influence, access, and participation in social work education in Norway and Sweden. In this article the author presents comparative analyses of two participatory projects that have developed and implemented practices that integrate service users into academic social work education and empower service users. The Norwegian HUSK project and the Social Work as Mobilization and Entrepreneurship course, also known as the “Mobilization course,” at Lund University in Sweden demonstrate collaboration between research, social work education, and service users. The conclusions focus on the importance of the empowering processes by including recognition and dialogue, co-learning in practice, and the use of neutral venues to ensure effective user participation. The inclusion of service users in social work education can improve both practice and education.
AlGaN/GaN HEMTs on Silicon Substrate With 206-GHz $F_{ \rm MAX}$

This letter reports on AlGaN/GaN high-electron-mobility transistors (HEMTs) on high-resistive silicon substrate with a record maximum oscillation cutoff frequency <i>F</i><sub>MAX</sub>. Double-T-shaped gates are associated with an optimized technology to enable high-efficiency 2-D electron gas control while mitigating the parasitic resistances. Good results ogate-length HEMTf <i>F</i><sub>MAX</sub> = 206 GHz and <i>FT</i> = 100 GHz are obtained for a 90-nm gate-length HEMT with 0.25-μm source-to-gate spacing. The associated peak extrinsic transconductance value is as high as 440 mS·mm<sup>-1</sup>. To the authors' knowledge, the obtained <i>F</i><sub>MAX</sub> and <i>Gm</i><sub>ext</sub> are the highest reported values for GaN HEMTs technology on silicon substrate. The accuracy of the cutoff frequency values is checked by small-signal modeling based on extracted S-parameters.
Increasing incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus in Louisiana, 1997-2009.

BACKGROUND Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is one of the most common pregnancy complications. Although long-term trends are available at the national level, they are less clear for population subgroups, especially those with middle or low income and also at high risk of obesity. METHOD We conducted a retrospective study among women aged 15-50 years with live deliveries between January 1, 1997, and December 31, 2009, at the Louisiana State University Health Care Services Division hospital system. Pregnancies and GDM cases were identified by using ICD-9 code from the Louisiana State University Hospital-Based Longitudinal Study database. The annual incidence of GDM and its standard error (SE) were calculated and stratified by age group and race. RESULTS A total of 2751 GDM incident cases were identified among 62,685 pregnancies between 1997 and 2009. The crude incidence of GDM increased from 4.1% in 1997 to 4.4% in 2009 (increased by 7.3%), and the age-standardized incidence of GDM increased from 5.8% to 7.5% (increased by 29.3%). The incidence of GDM increased with age and reached a peak at 35-39 years of age and then declined in women who were 40-50 years old. Among the three studied races, Asians had significantly higher incidence of GDM than whites and African Americans. CONCLUSIONS The incidence of GDM increased in most years from 1997 to 2009 and reached a peak in 2002 in the women served by Louisiana State University Health Care Services Division hospitals. GDM has become an important public health problem, particularly among women aged 35-39 years.
Managerial incentives for risk-taking and internal capital allocation

In this study, we show that the option-like structure of equity-based compensation encourages managerial risk-taking and provide new evidence on the way in which CEO’s risk-taking could manifest itself in a multi-segment firm. Our results show that a greater sensitivity of managerial compensation to shareholder wealth—as proxied by CEO’s portfolio vega—leads to greater risk-taking through active capital allocation. We then analyze the impact of risk-taking on shareholder wealth and demonstrate that risk-taking is positively associated with future stock returns. Overall, this article contributes to the literature by providing evidence that equity-based compensation does actually promote the alignment of interests between shareholders and managers.
Effect of Topical Heat on Electromyographic Power Density Spectrum in Subjects with Myofascial Pain and Normal Controls: A Pilot Study

Nadler SF, Feinberg JH, Reisman S, Stitik TP, DePrince ML, Hengehold D, Weingand K: Effect of topical heat on electromyographic power density spectrum in subjects with myofascial pain and normal controls: a pilot study. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2001;80:809–815. ObjectiveTo investigate the influence of superficial heat on the fatigue cascade of the upper trapezius muscle in subjects with myofascial pain and matched normal controls. DesignIn a prospective randomized block crossover pilot study, eight female subjects, ages 20–35 yr, with upper trapezius muscle trigger points and eight matched female control subjects without pain were studied. Subjects performed six 100-sec shoulder shrug contractions to fatigue, with subjects randomly chosen to receive heat during the first three or last three trials. The initial median frequency and the slope of the median frequency decline were calculated from the data. ResultsIn the subjects with pain, the slope of the median frequency was elevated in ambient room temperature as compared with controls. There was no difference in slope of the median frequency under heated conditions. Heat application in controls before fatiguing exercise caused an increase in initial median frequency, whereas exercise before heat treatment resulted in a significantly lower initial median frequency. Subjects with myofascial pain had no significant change in initial median frequency. ConclusionsHeat seems to have a positive effect on muscle function in normal individuals when applied before exercise. Subjects with myofascial pain respond differently to exercise and heat challenge, which suggests a difference in their muscle physiology.
An Evaluation of In-Person and Online Engagement in Central Newfoundland.

BACKGROUND This study evaluates the use of in-person focus groups and online engagement within the context of a large public engagement initiative conducted in rural Newfoundland. METHODS Participants were surveyed about their engagement experience and demographic information. Pre and post key informant interviews were also conducted with organizers of the initiative. RESULTS Of the 111 participants in the focus groups, 97 (87%) completed evaluation surveys; as did 23 (88%) out of 26 online engagement participants. Overall, focus group participants were positive about their involvement, with 87.4% reporting that they would participate in a similar initiative. Online participation was below expectations and these participants viewed their experience less positively than in-person participants. Organizers viewed the engagement initiative and the combined use of online and in-person engagement positively. CONCLUSIONS This study presents a real-world example of the use of two methods of engagement. It also highlights the importance of the successful execution of whatever engagement mechanism is selected.
Ribosomal protein S1 is required for translation of most, if not all, natural mRNAs in Escherichia coli in vivo.

We have deleted the chromosomal rpsA gene, encoding ribosomal protein S1, from an Escherichia coli strain carrying a plasmid where rpsA was controlled by the lac promoter and operator. This exogenous source of protein S1 was essential for growth. Thus we have verified the absolute requirement for protein S1. To see if translation of individual mRNAs differed in the requirements for protein S1, we removed the inducer and followed the time-course of the synthesis of several individual proteins and of total RNA, DNA and protein. Growth immediately shifted from being exponential to being linear, with a rate of protein synthesis defined by the pre-existing amount of protein S1. The expression pattern of the individual proteins indicated that the translation of all mRNAs was dependent on protein S1. Unexpectedly, we found that depletion for protein S1 for extended periods introduced a starvation for amino acids. Such starvation was indicated by an increased synthesis of ppGpp and could be reversed by addition of a mixture of all 20 amino acids. Measurements of the peptide chain elongation rate in vivo showed that ribosomes without protein S1 were unable to interfere with the peptide chain elongation rate of the active ribosomes and that, therefore, protein S1 was unable to diffuse from one ribosome to another during translation. We conclude that protein S1-deficient ribosomes are totally inactive in peptide chain elongation on most, if not all, naturally occurring E. coli mRNAs.
Influence of full-contour zirconia surface roughness on wear of glass-ceramics.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of full-contour (Y-TZP) zirconia surface roughness (glazed vs. as-machined) on the wear behavior of glass-ceramics. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty-two full contour Y-TZP (Diazir®) specimens (hereafter referred to as zirconia sliders) (ϕ = 2 mm, 1.5 mm in height) were fabricated using CAD/CAM and sintered according to the manufacturer's instructions. Zirconia sliders were embedded in brass holders using acrylic resin and then randomly assigned (n = 16) according to the surface treatment received, that is, as-machined or glazed. Glass-ceramic antagonists, Empress/EMP and e.max/EX, were cut into tabs (13 × 13 × 2 mm(3) ), wet-finished, and similarly embedded in brass holders. Two-body pin-on-disk wear testing was performed at 1.2 Hz for 25,000 cycles under a 3 kg load. Noncontact profilometry was used to measure antagonist height (μm) and volume loss (mm(3) ). Qualitative data of the zirconia testing surfaces and wear tracks were obtained using SEM. Statistics were performed using ANOVA with a significance level of 0.05. RESULTS As-machined yielded significantly higher mean roughness values (Ra = 0.83 μm, Rq = 1.09 μm) than glazed zirconia (Ra = 0.53 μm, Rq = 0.78 μm). Regarding glass-ceramic antagonist loss, as-machined zirconia caused significantly less mean height and volume loss (68.4 μm, 7.6 mm(3) ) for EMP than the glazed group (84.9 μm, 9.9 mm(3) ), while no significant differences were found for EX. Moreover, EMP showed significantly lower mean height and volume loss than EX (p < 0.0001). SEM revealed differences on wear characteristics between the glass-ceramics tested. CONCLUSION e.max wear was not affected by zirconia surface roughness; however, Empress wear was greater when opposing glazed zirconia. Overall, surface glazing on full-contour zirconia did not minimize glass-ceramic wear when compared with as-machined zirconia.
Can Changes in Transformational-Oriented and Transactional-Oriented Leadership Impact Turnover over Time?

ABSTRACT This article empirically examines the impact that leadership styles have on turnover. The results reveal that transformational-oriented leadership was found to lower voluntary turnover—that is, the aggregate of quits and transfers. Transactional-oriented leadership, on the other hand, was found to increase quits in agencies. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed in the article.
Stromules and the dynamic nature of plastid morphology

Investigation of plastids via green fluorescent protein (GFP) has led to the rediscovery of tubular extensions of the plastid membrane, termed stromules, for stroma‐filled tubules. These unique structures are challenging our understanding of plastid structure and function. Stromules are highly dynamic, branching and elongating across the plant cell. Recent experiments indicate that cytoplasmic microtubules and microfilaments control the shape and motility of stromules. Whether stromule formation involves plastid‐specific structural systems, such as the plastid division machinery, remains open to debate. Fluorescence photobleaching experiments have revealed that GFP can traffic between plastids joined by stromules. As a result, interest has grown in whether other macromolecules can also travel through these connections. Although the function of stromules is unknown, several aspects of their biology suggest they play a role in molecular exchange between plastids and other organelles.
Perceived brightness of incandescent and LED aviation signal lights.

INTRODUCTION Aviation signal lights using light emitting diodes (LEDs) are commonly perceived as brighter than those using incandescent sources, even at the same measured intensity. In general, saturated colors, like those produced by LEDs, appear brighter than less saturated lights, like those produced by incandescent sources. METHODS We describe a series of experiments quantifying the brightness of simulated blue, white, and green LED signal lights relative to incandescent signal lights of the same hue. Simulated signal lights and arrays were compared against dark and against dimly lighted backgrounds, and through simulated fog. RESULTS The results confirm that LED signal lights are brighter than incandescent signals at matched luminous intensities. Brightness relationships were unaffected by background light level, and by the number of signals viewed, but the simulated fog reduced the brightness difference between the incandescent and LED signal lights. CONCLUSIONS The present results could not be accurately predicted by several previously published models of brightness appearance, probably because of differences in experimental conditions. We present a new model that can be used to predict signal light brightness for blue, white, and green signal colors. Except for very short-wavelength blue signal lights, the model was able to accurately predict the present brightness data as well as those from previously published independent experiments. This validation lends confidence to the generality of the model for predicting blue, white, and green signal light brightness, but different colors (e.g., yellow or red) remain to be tested and modeled using this approach.
The Fregoli Delusion: A Disorder of Person Identification and Tracking

Fregoli delusion is the mistaken belief that some person currently present in the deluded person's environment (typically a stranger) is a familiar person in disguise. The stranger is believed to be psychologically identical to this known person (who is not present) even though the deluded person perceives the physical appearance of the stranger as being different from the known person's typical appearance. To gain a deeper understanding of this contradictory error in the normal system for tracking and identifying known persons, we conducted a detailed survey of all the Fregoli cases reported in the literature since the seminal Courbon and Fail (1927) paper. Our preliminary reading of these cases revealed a notable lack of definitional clarity. So, we first formulated a classification scheme of different person misidentification delusions so as to identify those cases that qualified as instances of Fregoli according to the above characterization: the mistaken belief that a known person is present in the environment in a different guise to his or her typical appearance. We identified 38 clear cases of this type and set out to answer a series of questions motivated by current hypotheses about the origin of the Fregoli delusion. We asked whether the patients misidentified particular strangers, made reference to the misidentified known persons using wigs or plastic surgery (or other techniques to disguise their appearance), misidentified many different strangers or only one, showed other symptoms (in particular, other misidentification delusions), and made inferences about the motives of the known persons in disguise. We conclude by discussing the implications of our findings for current hypotheses concerning the origin of the Fregoli delusion.
Antimicrobial Stewardship: How the Microbiology Laboratory Can Right the Ship

SUMMARY Antimicrobial stewardship is a bundle of integrated interventions employed to optimize the use of antimicrobials in health care settings. While infectious-disease-trained physicians, with clinical pharmacists, are considered the main leaders of antimicrobial stewardship programs, clinical microbiologists can play a key role in these programs. This review is intended to provide a comprehensive discussion of the different components of antimicrobial stewardship in which microbiology laboratories and clinical microbiologists can make significant contributions, including cumulative antimicrobial susceptibility reports, enhanced culture and susceptibility reports, guidance in the preanalytic phase, rapid diagnostic test availability, provider education, and alert and surveillance systems. In reviewing this material, we emphasize how the rapid, and especially the recent, evolution of clinical microbiology has reinforced the importance of clinical microbiologists' collaboration with antimicrobial stewardship programs.
Determining Surgical Complications in the Overweight (DISCOVER): a multicentre observational cohort study to evaluate the role of obesity as a risk factor for postoperative complications in general surgery

Introduction Obesity is increasingly prevalent among patients undergoing surgery. Conflicting evidence exists regarding the impact of obesity on postoperative complications. This multicentre study aims to determine whether obesity is associated with increased postoperative complications following general surgery. Methods and analysis This prospective, multicentre cohort study will be performed utilising a collaborative methodology. Consecutive adults undergoing open or laparoscopic, elective or emergency, gastrointestinal, bariatric or hepatobiliary surgery will be included. Day case patients will be excluded. The primary end point will be the overall 30-day major complication rate (Clavien-Dindo grade III–V complications). Data will be collected to risk-adjust outcomes for potential confounding factors, such as preoperative cardiac risk. This study will be disseminated through structured medical student networks using established collaborative methodology. The study will be powered to detect a two-percentage point increase in the major postoperative complication rate in obese versus non-obese patients. Ethics and dissemination Following appropriate assessment, an exemption from full ethics committee review has been received, and the study will be registered as a clinical audit or service evaluation at each participating hospital. Dissemination will take place through national and local research collaborative networks.