Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Primary elections between fortuna and virtù

ABSTRACT Primaries have become an almost indispensable tool of the political game in the Italian centre-left coalition and, especially, within the Democratic Party. This article explores what has led to this important institutional change in the candidate and leadership selection processes. It assesses the consequences with reference to both competition and inclusiveness. It concludes by stressing that, frequent, undocumented and unfounded criticisms notwithstanding, Italian primaries have played, and promise to continue to play, quite a positive role in the Italian political system.
Concanavalin A distorts the  -GlcNAc-(1->2)-Man linkage of  -GlcNAc-(1->2)- -Man-(1->3)-[ -GlcNAc-(1->2)- -Man-(1->6)]-Man upon binding

Carbohydrate recognition by proteins is a key event in many biological processes. Concanavalin A is known to specifically recognize the pentasaccharide core (beta-GlcNAc-(1-->2)-alpha- Man-(1-->3)-[beta-GlcNAc-(1-->2)-alpha-Man-(1-->6)]-Man) of N-linked oligosaccharides with a Ka of 1.41 x 10(6 )M-1. We have determined the structure of concanavalin A bound to beta-GlcNAc-(1-->2)-alpha-Man-(1-->3)-[beta-GlcNAc-(1-->2)-alpha-Man- (1-->6)]-Man to 2.7A. In six of eight subunits there is clear density for all five sugar residues and a well ordered binding site. The pentasaccharide adopts the same conformation in all eight subunits. The binding site is a continuous extended cleft on the surface of the protein. Van der Waals interactions and hydrogen bonds anchor the carbohydrate to the protein. Both GlcNAc residues contact the protein. The GlcNAc on the 1-->6 arm of the pentasaccharide makes particularly extensive contacts and including two hydrogen bonds. The binding site of the 1-->3 arm GlcNAc is much less extensive. Oligosaccharide recognition by Con A occurs through specific protein carbohydrate interactions and does not require recruitment of adventitious water molecules. The beta-GlcNAc-(1-->2)-Man glycosidic linkage PSI torsion angle on the 1-->6 arm is rotated by over 50 degrees from that observed in solution. This rotation is coupled to disruption of interactions at the monosaccharide site. We suggest destabilization of the monosaccharide site and the conformational strain reduces the free energy liberated by additional interactions at the 1-->6 arm GlcNAc site.
Common data elements for substance use disorders in electronic health records: the NIDA Clinical Trials Network experience.

AIMS Electronic health records (EHRs) are essential in improving quality and enhancing efficiency of health-care delivery. By 2015, medical care receiving service reimbursement from US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) must show 'meaningful use' of EHRs. Substance use disorders (SUD) are grossly under-detected and under-treated in current US medical care settings. Hence, an urgent need exists for improved identification of and clinical intervention for SUD in medical settings. The National Institute on Drug Abuse Clinical Trials Network (NIDA CTN) has leveraged its infrastructure and expertise and brought relevant stakeholders together to develop consensus on brief screening and initial assessment tools for SUD in general medical settings, with the objective of incorporation into US EHRs. METHODS Stakeholders were identified and queried for input and consensus on validated screening and assessment for SUD in general medical settings to develop common data elements to serve as shared resources for EHRs on screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment (SBIRT), with the intent of supporting interoperability and data exchange in a developing Nationwide Health Information Network. RESULTS Through consensus of input from stakeholders, a validated screening and brief assessment instrument, supported by Clinical Decision Support tools, was chosen to be used at out-patient general medical settings. CONCLUSIONS The creation and adoption of a core set of validated common data elements and the inclusion of such consensus-based data elements for general medical settings will enable the integration of SUD treatment within mainstream health care, and support the adoption and 'meaningful use' of the US Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC)-certified EHRs, as well as CMS reimbursement.
Diagnosis and Initiation of Treatment in Parkinson's Disease

ABSTRACT Parkinson's disease (PD) is the most common cause of parkinsonism, yet the diagnosis and management can be a challenge. The United Kingdom Parkinson's Disease Society Brain Bank Clinical Diagnostic Criteria and dopamine transporter/single-photon emission computed tomography (DaT-SPECT) are diagnostic aids that can improve diagnostic accuracy. Even though PD is a progressive disease, for years, physicians and patients have delayed treatment until functional disability occurs. However, studies of monoamine oxidase-type B (MAO-B) inhibitors, dopamine agonists, and levodopa, all of which can be used as initial therapy, have demonstrated that PD patients receiving treatment do better than those who do not receive treatment, and some studies have shown that those receiving treatment earlier do better long term. Therefore, the management strategy for PD has moved toward earlier initiation of treatment. Although treatment for each patient should be individualized and based on their specific symptoms, severity, and lifestyle, in general MAO-B inhibitors may be used initially to treat mild symptoms, adding a dopamine agonist in younger patients or levodopa in older patients, as symptoms become more severe.
An ultrawideband system architecture for tag based wireless sensor networks

With the latest improvements in device size, power consumption, and communications, sensor networks are becoming increasingly more popular. There has also been a great increase in the popularity of commercial applications based on ultrawideband (UWB). Impulse radio (IR) based UWB technology utilizes noise-like signal, has potentially low complexity and low cost, is resistant to severe multipath, and has very good time domain resolution allowing for location and tracking applications. In this paper, the architecture and performance of a noncoherent low complexity UWB impulse radio based transceiver designed for low data rate, low cost sensor network applications is presented. The UWB-IR transmitter is based on a delay locked loop (DLL) and UWB monocycle pulse generator. The UWB-IR receiver utilises a noncoherent, energy detection based approach, which makes it largely independent of the shape of the transmit waveform and robust to multipath channels. The test circuits are designed for 0.35 /spl mu/m SiGe BiCMOS technology. This paper presents system simulations results as well as the performance of key functional blocks of the designed UWB application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) transceiver architecture. The simulated power consumption of UWB-IR transceiver circuits is 136 mW with 100% duty cycle with a 3.3 V power supply.
Pilot-Aided Fine Synchronization for SC-FDE Systems on Multipath Fading Channels

With single-carrier frequency-domain equalization (SC-FDE), the carrier-frequency offset (CFO) and sampling-frequency offset (SFO) are embedded in the phase rotations of the complex frequency-domain signal components at the output of the fast Fourier transform (FFT). To extract the phase rotations and estimate the CFO and SFO, the frequency-domain signal components need to be known. However, they are, in general, not known to the receiver, since they are a mixture of the data and pilot symbols. To solve this difficulty sub-block processing is proposed, such that joint estimation of the CFO and SFO can be applied. For the joint estimation, both the linear least-squares (LLS) and simple weighted least-squares (SWLS) regressions are considered, where the latter is shown to be robust to the channel frequency-selectivity. Finally, the SC-FDE receiver with proposed closed-loop tracking algorithm is tested on both quasi-static and time-varying multipath fading channels and its effectiveness is demonstrated.
Posttranscriptionally Mediated Decreases in Folylpolyglutamate Synthetase Gene Expression in Some Folate Analogue-resistant Variants of the L1210 Cell

L1210 cell variants resistant to edatrexate (EDX) were isolated by selection in vivo during therapy with this folate analogue. Among the variants selected, seven (L1210/EDX-4 to −7 and L1210/EDX-12 to −14) were found to exhibit 2-23-fold lower levels of folylpolyglutamate synthetase (FPGS) activity compared with parental L1210 cells. Lower levels of FPGS activity in cell-free extract from these variants using EDX as substrate were characterized by the same relative decrease in value for Vmax with no change in apparent Km. The results of an analysis of FPGS activity in mixtures of variant and parental cell extract suggested that no endogenous inhibitors in the variant cells or stimulatory factors in parental cells accounted for the differences observed. Also, FPGS from variant and parental cells showed no difference in thermostability. Decreases in a 60-61-kDa protein as shown by immunoblotting with anti-FPGS peptide antibody were found to occur commensurately with the decrease in FPGS activity in cell extract from the variants compared with parental cells. However, no evidence was obtained for a difference in turnover of FPGS protein during measurement of the decay of FPGS activity in cycloheximide-treated variant and parental cells. In addition, Northern blotting of poly(A)+ RNA did not reveal any difference in the size or level of FPGS mRNA among these various cell types. Studies of in vitro translation of hybridization-selected FPGS mRNA from L1210 cells showed that both mitochondrial and cytosolic forms of FPGS were generated during the reaction. Moreover, FPGS mRNA from the variant cells was significantly less effective in mediating formation of the FPGS peptide product in a manner correlating with FPGS activity and protein found in the cytosol of the various cell types. These results suggest that FPGS gene expression in these variants is posttranscriptionally altered at the level of the cognate mRNA itself and that this alteration constitutively down-regulates the steady-state level of FPGS in these variants.
Specific Recognition of Proteins by Array‐Bound Hexanucleotides†

Maximum information density: The complete hexanucleotide sequence space can be immobilized on a chip. The binding of a number of proteins was profiled with this array of 4096 sequences, including fluorescently labeled forms of the HIV‐2 and HIV‐1 reverse transciptases (the consensus motif is shown in the picture). This new technique should aid in the search for pharmaceutical lead compunds.WILEY-VCH
Liberalization Only at the Margins? Analysing the Growth of Temporary Work in German Core Manufacturing Sectors

Drawing on workers’ surveys and workplace interviews, this article investigates the growth of temporary work in German manufacturing sectors since the 1980s. Findings partly confirm a ‘dualization’ scenario as workers without industry-specific vocational training are more likely to be on a temporary contract than skilled workers, and the gap has widened over time. However, also skilled workers have become increasingly vulnerable to casualization due to job routine and the erosion of industrial relations. Evidence confirms the crucial role of institutions in supporting the linkage between specific skills and employment stability, and suggests that the liberalization of the employment relationship has the potential to advance also in the core of the German economy.
Maximum Torque Per Ampere (MTPA) Control for Interior Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machine Drives Based on Virtual Signal Injection

This paper introduces a novel virtual signal injection-based control method for maximum torque per ampere (MTPA) operation of interior permanent magnet synchronous machine (IPMSM) drives. The proposed method injects a small virtual current angle signal mathematically for tracking the MTPA operating point and generating d-axis current command by utilizing the inherent characteristic of the MTPA operation. This method is parameter independent in tracking the MTPA points, and it does not inject any real signal to current or voltage command. Consequently, the problems associated with real high-frequency signal injection, such as increases in copper and iron loss can be avoided. Moreover, it is robust to current/voltage harmonics and motor torque disturbances. The proposed method is verified by simulations and experiments under various operating conditions on a prototype IPMSM drive system.
Relationship between Grain Prices and Inflation in China (1987—1999)

On the basis of collection and compilation of monthly data of mar- ket grain prices and consumer price index,this study investigates the relationship of co-integration between grain prices and inflation using error correction model.Strong evidence has been found that there are long run relationships between grain prices and inflation.The direction of causality for the relationships is from inflation to grain prices, rather than the reverse.On the other hand,long term real grain prices have roughly remained unchanged,questioning the traditional belief that the relative scarcity of grain should be continuously increasing.When grain prices respond to the shock of inflation, they nevertheless tend to overshoot.
Assessment of the Most Common Pterygium Symptoms Leading to the Decision for Its Surgical Removal

Purpose: Pterygium is a benign growth of conjunctival tissue frequently related to chronic sunlight exposure and hot and dry climate. Purpose of this study was to evaluate the predominant symptoms in patients with pterygium leading to its surgical removal decision. Methods: 31 patients (19 males, 12 females), mean age 48.75 years old (SD 8.5), with primary pterygium and no other eye disease participated in the study. The predominant symptoms caused by the pterygium were assessed using a questionnaire. Results: The predominant symptoms associated with the pterygium were: discomfort/feeling of foreign body in 31 patients (100%), redness in 23 (74%), increased lacrimation in 17 (55%), aesthetic reasons in 12 (39%), visual disturbance (astigmatism/extension of the pterygium to the optical axis) in 4 (13%). In one case, despite the absence of annoying symptoms, surgical excision was proposed due to the atypical appearance of pterygium. For younger patients, the predominant reason for choosing surgical removal was that the patients are not content with external appearance caused by pterygium and in contrast lacrimation was the predominant reason for the older. In most patients, visual disturbance was not a significant cause although astigmatism in eyes with pterygium was 3.51 D (SD 1.82) and 0.95 D (SD 0.78) in healthy eyes respectively. Discussion: The main symptom in patients with pterygium is foreign body sensation; meanwhile aesthetic consideration and increased lacrimation are the main reasons leading to surgical removal decision for younger and older patients, respectively.
Inhibition of endotoxin-induced activation of the coagulation and fibrinolytic pathways using a recombinant endotoxin-binding protein (rBPI23).

A recombinant endotoxin-neutralizing protein, rBPI23, was shown to partially prevent endotoxin-induced activation of the fibrinolytic and coagulation systems in experimental endotoxemia in humans. In a placebo-controlled, blinded crossover study, eight volunteers were challenged twice with an intravenous bolus injection of endotoxin (40 EU/kg of body weight) and concurrently received either rBPI23 (1 mg/kg) or placebo (human serum albumin, 0.2 mg/kg). rBPI23 treatment significantly lowered the endotoxin-induced fibrinolytic response, ie, reduced the release of tissue-type plasminogen activator, urokinase-type plasminogen activator, plasminogen activator inhibitor antigen, and complex formation of plasmin alpha 2-antiplasmin (P = .0078 for each). Plasminogen activator inhibitor activity was also reduced, but not significantly according to the Hochberg method (P = .0304). The endotoxin-induced activation of the procoagulant state as reflected by increase in F1 + 2 fragments and TAT complexes was blunted by rBPI23 infusion (P = .0391 [not significant according to the Hochberg method] and .0078, respectively). These results indicate that rBPI23 is capable of reducing both the activation of the fibrinolytic and the coagulation systems after low-dose endotoxin infusion in humans.
Seasonality of birth in subtypes of chronic schizophrenia

ABSTRACT– Several reports in the literature suggest that schizophrenic patients are disproportionately born during the colder months compared to the general population. In this study, we report differences in the seasonality of birth between the subtypes of chronic schizophrenia, particularly when gender is considered. Cold months’ births (December to March) are most likely in nonparanoid females and paranoid males. Possible reasons for these differences are discussed in light of genetic and environmental factors in schizophrenia.
Inversion relationship between action threshold and economic/aesthetic injury level for the control of urban and quarantine pests

Traditional agricultural pest control IPM theory claims that the action threshold (AT) is lower than the economic (EIL) or aesthetic injury level (AIL). Urban and quarantine pests are tolerated at the zero or near-zero population level. In the cases where responsive pest control strategies are used instead of preventive ones, inherently AT should be non-zero and higher than EIL/AIL. The constraints of the implementation of preventive treatment (= zero AT) for some urban pest problems requiring the zero EIL/AIL are discussed.
A randomized controlled trial of hypnosis compared with biofeedback for adults with chronic low back pain

Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is common and results in significant costs to individuals, families and society. Although some research supports the efficacy of hypnosis for CLBP, we know little about the minimum dose needed to produce meaningful benefits, the roles of home practice and hypnotizability on outcome, or the maintenance of treatment benefits beyond 3 months.
Efficacy of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in the treatment of hepatic metastases arising from transgenic intraocular tumors in mice.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to determined if tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) isolated from transgenic intraocular tumors were capable of preventing the development of spontaneous hepatic metastases. METHODS Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes were isolated from intraocular tumors in immunocompetent mice and were examined for cytolytic activity in vitro. The antigenic phenotypes of the TIL were determined by in situ immunohistology. Cultured TIL were transferred adoptively to immunoincompetent, intraocular, tumor-bearing recipients to determine the efficacy of TIL in preventing spontaneous liver metastases. RESULTS Cultured TIL displayed remarkable cytolytic activity in vitro and antimetastatic properties after adoptive transfer into immunoincompetent, athymic nude mice and anti-CD4/CD8-treated euthymic FVB/N mice. Hepatic metastases developed in only 2 of 10 athymic nude mice that subsequently received TIL, whereas metastases developed in all 10 control mice. Similar results were found in anti-CD4/CD8-treated FVB/N mice. Hepatic metastases did not develop in any of the 10 mice treated with TIL, whereas extensive metastatic foci developed in all 10 untreated FVB/N control mice. The efficacy of TIL therapy was manifested also by significant prolongation of host survival times. CONCLUSIONS Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes isolated from intraocular tumors can be expanded in vitro and can exert antimetastatic effects in vivo.
Effect of sildenafil citrate on blood pressure and heart rate in men with erectile dysfunction taking concomitant antihypertensive medication

Objectives To assess the acute effect of sildenafil citrate on blood pressure and heart rate in men with erectile dysfunction taking concomitant antihypertensive medication. Design Post-hoc subanalysis of five, 12- or 24-week, prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies. Setting Private-practice and academic urology clinics. Patients A total of 1685 men with erectile dysfunction of ≥ 6 months duration, of whom 667 (sildenafil n = 406, placebo n = 261) were taking antihypertensive medication (diuretic, β-blocker, α-blocker, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, and/or calcium antagonist). Of the patients taking antihypertensive medication, 608 (91%) completed the studies (374 of 406 receiving sildenafil, 234 of 261 receiving placebo). Interventions The last dose of oral sildenafil (25–200 mg) or placebo was taken at home on the morning of the final clinic visit. Patients taking antihypertensive medication maintained usual dosing schedules. Main outcome measurements Sitting systolic (SBP)/ diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and heart rate at baseline and after dosing with sildenafil or placebo (end-of-treatment visit). Results Mean changes from baseline in SBP/DBP for men taking antihypertensive medication were −3.6/−1.9 mmHg for those receiving sildenafil and −0.8/−0.1 mmHg for those receiving placebo compared with −2.2/−2.0 mmHg and −0.1/0.4 mmHg, respectively, for men not taking antihypertensive medication. Mean changes from baseline in heart rate for men taking antihypertensive medication were −0.6 beats/min after sildenafil and −0.9 beats/min after placebo compared with 0.4 beats/min and −0.6 beats/min, respectively, for patients not taking antihypertensive medication. Differences in SBP, DBP, and heart rate between the patients taking and those not taking antihypertensive medication were small. Conclusions The acute, short-term effects of oral sildenafil on blood pressure and heart rate in men with erectile dysfunction were small and not likely to be clinically significant in those taking concomitant antihypertensive medication.
Urinary protein profiles in ketorolac-associated acute kidney injury in patients undergoing orthopedic day surgery

Background Parenteral administration of ketorolac is very effective in controlling postoperative pain for orthopedic surgery. Ketorolac can induce clinically relevant renal alterations in elderly patients, whereas its short course is considered safe for young adults with normal preoperative renal function. In this study, of a cohort of young adults undergoing elective orthopedic day surgery, we sought cases complicated by readmission due to acute kidney injury (AKI). Patients and methods Among 1397 young adults, aged 18–32 years who were admitted to undergo orthopedic day surgery from 2013 to 2015, four patients (0.29%, three males/one female) treated in postprocedure with ketorolac (from 60 to 90 mg/day for 1–2 days) were readmitted for suspected severe AKI. We evaluated functional outcome, urinary protein profiles and kidney biopsy (1 patient). Results After day surgery discharge, they experienced gastrointestinal disturbances, flank pain and fever. Readmitted on post-surgery days 3–4, they presented with oliguric AKI (creatinine range 158.4–466.4 µmol/L) and frank proteinuria (albumin range 2.1–6.0 g/L). Urine protein profiles demonstrated a nonselective glomerular proteinuria, with a significant 9.4-fold increase in glomerular/tubular index on day 6. Kidney biopsy on day 19 showed normal glomeruli and minimal tubular alterations and negative immunofluorescence. All patients recovered their renal function, and after 20 days proteinuria disappeared. Conclusion AKI can ensue even in young adults who have undergone a short course of ketorolac, when they suffered from relative dehydration, abdominal disturbances, flank pain and oliguria after discharge. Urine findings were characterized by a marked nonselective glomerular proteinuria disappearing in 2–3 weeks.