Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Serotonin transporter gene variants and prediction of stress‐induced risk for psychological distress

The response to psychosocial stress is influenced by both psychosocial factors and genetic vulnerability. The most investigated gene in gene × environment studies in abnormal response to environmental stressors is the one coding for the serotonin transporter (SLC6A4). Variability within this gene has been associated with functional brain differences, personality dimensions, reactivity to stress and risk for various psychopathological conditions. In the present study, we set out to investigate the association of common genetic variants within SLC6A4 with state psychopathology in a community sample homogeneously exposed to stress, thus inquiring about potential genetic differences in stress sensitivity. One thousand eight hundred seventy‐five young conscripts were evaluated for psychopathological distress with the 90‐item Symptoms Checklist Revised in their first 2 weeks of admission to obligatory military service. Of these, 1594 were genotyped for the biallelic ins/del polymorphism (5‐HTTLPR S/L) within the promoter region of SLC6A4, as well as the variation within the ‘long’ 5‐HTTLPR allele (rs25531A/G). Homozygous for the 5‐HTTLPR S allele reported significantly higher scores for paranoid ideation as compared with L‐allele carriers. Slight effects on other subscales were observed, but were not significant after correction for multiple testing. Despite limitations linked to the evaluation of psychopathology by a single general scale and multiple comparisons, the present study support a role of SLC6A4 in modulating abnormal responses to environmental stress. In particular, variation within this gene may confer risk for paranoid/defensive reactions under conditions of environmental stress associated with military induction.
Non-Markovian Dynamic And Nmr Spectra In Solids

The influence of non-Markov molecular motions on NMR absorption spectra has been investigated. It has been shown that the simple non-Markov model of water molecular motion with fluctuations driven by dichotomic noise very well explains the observed temperature dependence of NMR spectra in the mineral natrolite. - PACS number: 05.40. +j, 33.25. +k, 76.20. +q
Virtual auditory environment

Technologically it is feasible to put a subject in a state of mind in which he/she perceives to exist and act in a different environment than the actual real one. This state of mind is called telepresence, and the environment perceived is called virtual environment. To achieve telepresence, the sensory perceptions of the subject must be manipulated in such a way as to be in gross conformity with perceptions the subject would have in a corresponding real environment. The authors describe a system which is able to create virtual auditory environment with a high degree of perceptual authenticity. The system is based on the simulation of the sound field in a room exited by one or multiple sound sources, followed by an auralization procedure-a technique often referred to as binaural room simulation. <<ETX>>
Estimating Densities of the Pest Halotydeus destructor (Acari: Penthaleidae) in Canola

ABSTRACT Development of sampling techniques to effectively estimate invertebrate densities in the field is essential for effective implementation of pest control programs, particularly when making informed spray decisions around economic thresholds. In this article, we investigated the influence of several factors to devise a sampling strategy to estimate Halotydeus destructor Tucker densities in a canola paddock. Direct visual counts were found to be the most suitable approach for estimating mite numbers, with higher densities detected than the vacuum sampling method. Visual assessments were impacted by the operator, sampling date, and time of day. However, with the exception of operator (more experienced operator detected higher numbers of mites), no obvious trends were detected. No patterns were found between H. destructor numbers and ambient temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, cloud cover, or soil surface conditions, indicating that these factors may not be of high importance when sampling mites during autumn and winter months. We show further support for an aggregated distribution of H. destructor within paddocks, indicating that a stratified random sampling program is likely to be most appropriate. Together, these findings provide important guidelines for Australian growers around the ability to effectively and accurately estimate H. destructor densities.
TONGUE MICROFLORA AND PERIODONTAL DISEASE

Aim of the study. To determine the role of bacteria on the dorsal surface of the tongue in periodontal disease. Material and methods. Fifthytwo patients aged 18 to 25 were enrolled in the study; the subjects had to complete a questionnaire on general health, diet and dental hygiene habits. Decay-missing- filled teeth index (DMFT), the periodontal screening index (PSI), bleeding on probing (BOP) and plaque index were recorded for all subjects. After clinical examination, samples from dental plaque and tongue microflora were harvested by swabbing with sterile cotton sticks. Results. Clinical data obtained correlate with tongue microflora. The microflora does not depend on age and sex of the pacient. The counts of S.mutans was found to be corelated with DMFT index and also, the BOP with P.gingivalis (p=0.0006). We found the presence of P.gingivalis in approximately 12% of the subjects. Conclusions. The tongue surface can be an important reservoir for pathogens bacteria which can have a direct influence in the development of dental caries, oral halitosis or periodontitis.
Design of a resonant accelerometer integrated with a diamond like carbon film temperature sensor

The design, fabrication and testing of a novel resonant accelerometer integrated with a temperature sensor is presented in this paper. The accelerometer consists of double quartz resonators and a silicon substrate. A novel diamond like carbon (DLC) film with special electrical property, excellent mechanical property and chemical stability, which has negative temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR), is employed to fabricate temperature sensors on the silicon substrate. Two types of DLC are prepared, one was hydrogenated amorphous carbon (A-C:H) films, the other one did not contain hydrogen. The test results demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed temperature sensor.
Theoretical Study on Performance Limit of Cutoff Frequency in Nano-Scale InAs HEMTs Based on Quantum-Corrected Monte Carlo Method

We theoretically study the performance limits of current-gain cutoff frequency, ƒT, for the HEMTs with InAs or In0.70Ga0. 30As middle layers in the multi-quantum-well (MQW) channels by means of the quantum-corrected Monte Carlo (MC) method. We calculate the distribution of the delay time along the channel, τ(x), and define the effective gate length, Lg, eff, as the corresponding length to (x). By extrapolating Lg, eff to Lg = 0nm, we estimate the lower limit of Lg, eff, Lg, eff(0). Then we estimate the performance limit of ƒT, ƒT(0), by extrapolating ƒT to Lg, eff(0). The estimated ƒT(0) are about 3.6 and 3.7THz for the HEMTs with InAs middle layers of 5 and 8nm in thickness, and about 3.0THz for the HEMT with In0.70Ga0. 30As middle layer of 8nm in thickness, respectively. The higher ƒT(0) in the HEMTs with InAs middle layers are attributed to the increased average electron velocity, vd, in the channel. These results indicate the superior potential of the HEMTs using InAs in the channels. The HEMT with InAs middle layer of 8nm in thickness shows the highest ƒT on condition of the same Lg because of its highest vd. However, the increased total channel thickness results in the longer Lg, eff(0), which leads to the restriction of ƒT(0). Therefore, in order to increase ƒT(0), it is essential to make Lg, eff short in addition to making vd high. Our results strongly encourage in making an effort to develop the HEMTs that operate in the terahertz region.
Improved 1/f Noise Characteristics in Locally Strained Si CMOS Using Hydrogen-Controlled Stress Liners and Embedded SiGe

This paper reports the first experimental demonstration of improved 1/f noise characteristics in a locally strained Si MOS through hydrogen-controlled stress liners and embedded SiGe (eSiGe). For NMOS, the high hydrogen density (1times1022cm-3) in the stress liner results in three times more noise than that of PMOS. For PMOS, eSiGe proves to be superior to a compressive stress liner in noise due to the low hydrogen density in the system. The controlled stress does not generate interface states or other scattering centers, which increase noise, and only improves 1/f noise due to carrier mass reduction
Axenic growth and drug sensitivity studies of Balamuthia mandrillaris, an agent of amebic meningoencephalitis in humans and other animals

A cell-free growth medium for the opportunistic pathogenic ameba Balamuthia mandrillaris is presented. This represents an advance over the use of monkey kidney cells for growth of the amebas and can be helpful in isolation of these amebas from brain tissue from cases in which amebic meningoencephalitis is a diagnostic possibility, as well as for biochemical and molecular biological studies. Three isolates of Balamuthia have been cultured in this medium. The cell-free growth system was also used to screen cultures for sensitivity to a variety of antimicrobial agents. Of the various drugs tested, pentamidine isethionate was most effective against amebas (ca. 90% inhibition after 6 days of exposure), but the drug was amebastatic and not amebacidal in the axenic system at the highest concentration tested (10 micrograms/ml).
A Roadmap For Integrating Web 2.0 Tools Into Is Teaching & Rerearch In A Developing Country Context: The Egyptian Perspective

Web 2.0 covers technological advancements in peer-peer networks and Internet open architecture that facilitate better user interaction, participation and multimedia file sharing. This marks a new Web paradigm where the Internet becomes a huge social networking, collaborative forum. In this paper innovative Web 2.0 examples and enabling technologies are gathered to elaborate the significance of the new paradigm. Based on this analysis characteristics of Web 2.0 applications will be derived showing potential usage and benefits in teaching, learning and research. A case study, Faculty of Computers & Information, Cairo University, Egypt will be investigated in order to highlight limitations and/or prosperities of current IS education and research in a developing country context. It is argued that the digital divide gap represented in scarce technical infrastructure, skill shortage in specific areas like communication skills, business and management knowledge, as well as a bias towards heavy weight computer science areas, such as image processing and intelligent agents are hindering IS advancements in Egypt. Based on these findings the paper suggests how Web 2.0 tools can be integrated within current shortcomings and barriers showing a roadmap for Web 2.0 adoption in learning, teaching and research in a developing country context.
Indifferent sets for genericity

Abstract This paper investigates indifferent sets for comeager classes in Cantor space focusing of the class of all 1-generic sets and the class of all weakly 1-generic sets. Jockusch and Posner showed that there exist 1-generic sets that have indifferent sets [10]. Figueira, Miller and Nies have studied indifferent sets for randomness and other notions [7]. We show that any comeager class in Cantor space contains a comeager class with a universal indifferent set. A forcing construction is used to show that any 1-generic set, or weakly 1-generic set, has an indifferent set. Such an indifferent set can by computed by any set in which bounds the (weakly) 1-generic. We show by approximation arguments that some, but not all, 1-generic sets can compute an indifferent set for themselves. We show that all weakly 1-generic sets can compute an indifferent set for themselves. Additional results on indifferent sets, including one of Miller, and two of Fitzgerald, are presented.
Cálculo de parâmetros de malhas de aterramento em geometrias não convencionais

Este trabalho apresenta metodologia para o c alculo da resist^encia de terra, da eleva c~ao do potencial da malha, do potencial na superf cie do solo, da tens~ao de toque e da tens~ao de passo em malhas de aterramento com qualquer geometria e posicionada a qualquer profundidade em solos estrati cados em duas camadas. Os valores do potencial e das tens~oes de toque e de passo s~ao obtidos em qualquer ponto sobre a malha. O equacionamento proposto utiliza os m etodos das imagens e do potencial m edio. A principal caracter stica desta modelagem em rela c~ao as demais e a possibilidade do c alculo de malhas contendo eletrodos posicionados a qualquer dist^ ancia e em qualquer ^angulo. Os resultados obtidos com a metodologia proposta s~ao apresentados e discutidos.
Conditional Regulation of Neurosteroid Sensitivity of GABAA Receptors

Abstract: Nongenomic gonadal steroid feedback to oxytocin containing neurons in the supraoptic nucleus of the hypothalamus is mediated via the neurosteroid allopregnanolone (3α‐OH‐DHP) that acts as an allosteric modulator of the postsynaptic GABAA receptors. We found evidence to support the idea that neurosteroids not only potentiate GABAA receptor function but also prevent its suppression by PKC. In addition, we found that neurosteroid sensitivity of GABAA receptor itself is dependent on the balance between endogenous phosphatase and PKC activity and not, as previously suggested, on subunit composition changes of the GABAA receptor. These data imply that native GABAA receptors are only sensitive to 3α‐OH‐DHP if there is endogenous phosphatase activity. In contrast, when, due to endogenous release of oxytocin in the hypothalamus, the intracellular balance is shifted from high phosphatase activity toward a higher level of PKC‐dependent phosphorylation, this leads to 3α‐OH‐DHP‐insensitivity of the GABAA receptors. How the regulatory mechanisms of the GABAA receptor physiology for the hypothalamus may also account for alterations in GABA transmission observed in other brain areas is discussed.
Trajectories of Marijuana use during the Transition to Adulthood: The Big Picture Based on National Panel Data

The purposes of this study were to identify trajectory groups of frequent marijuana use during emerging adulthood; distinguish among trajectory groups according to demographic and lifestyle characteristics; and examine how the trajectory groups relate to behavioral, attitudinal, and social-emotional correlates over time. National panel data from the Monitoring the Future study were used: 18 cohorts of high school seniors (classes of 1977–1994) were followed biennially through age 24. Frequent marijuana use was defined as 3+ occasions of use in past month and/or 20 to 40+ occasions in past year. Based on four waves of complete longitudinal data (N=19,952), six frequent marijuana use trajectory groups were identified: chronic, decreased, increased, fling, rare, and abstain. Categorical analyses revealed trajectory group differences in demographic and lifestyle characteristics at senior year and age 24. The trajectory groups varied significantly in longitudinal patterns of other substance use, problem behaviors, and well-being.
Mg‐Atp Binding: Its Modification by Spermine, the Relevance to Cytosolic Mg2+ Buffering, Changes in the Intracellular Ionized Mg2+ Concentration and the Estimation of Mg2+ by 31P‐NMR

It is now generally accepted that the intracellular ionized magnesium concentration ([Mg2+]i) in muscle cells is around 1 mmol l−1; in heart muscle this means that from the total some 90‐95% is bound (see McGuigan et al. 1991a). Although binding will include sequestration by intracellular organelles, a large part of the binding is by ATP in the cytosol and an equilibrium exists in the cytosol between free ATP, ionized magnesium and Mg‐ATP. The extend of this equilibrium depends on the equilibrium constant of the reaction, which is a function of pH, temperature and ionic strength. This equilibrium constant is also important in the estimation of [Mg2+]i using 31P‐NMR. In this method the difference between the α and β peaks of ATP is measured and from this shift and the equilibrium constant between Mg2+ and ATP in the cytosol, the [Mg2+]i can be calculated (Vink, 1993).
Type III secretion genes identify a putative virulence locus of Chlamydia

Four genes of Chlamydia psittaci strain guinea pig inclusion conjunctivitis (GPIC), whose predicted products are highly homologous to structural and regulatory components of a contact‐dependent or type III secretion apparatus, were isolated. Related to genes present in several animal and plant bacterial pathogens, these genes may represent a section of a previously undetected chromosomal virulence locus analogous to several recently described virulence‐associated type III secretion loci. The existence of contact‐dependent secretion in Chlamydia strongly suggests that these bacteria use pathogenic mechanisms that are similar to those of other intracellular bacterial pathogens. Unlike other intracellular bacteria, however, chlamydiae are metabolically inactive extracellularly and only become capable of global protein synthesis several hours after infection. This implies that chlamydial contact‐dependent secretion is only active from within, uniquely after the bacteria have been internalized by eukaryotic cells. The possible role(s) of this pathway in chlamydial pathogenesis are discussed.
BER analysis of the optimum multiuser detection with channel mismatch in MC-CDMA systems

In this paper, we analyze the bit-error-rate (BER) performance of the optimum multiuser detection (MUD) with channel mismatch in multicarrier code-division-multiple-access (MC-CDMA) systems. The BER performance of the optimum MUD without channel mismatch in MC-CDMA systems has been recently derived using the replica method. However, it is left unjustified, since the replica method is not a rigorous approach. In addition, it is NP-hard to implement an optimum MUD algorithm. To justify the BER performance and to make the optimum MUD feasible, based on Pearl's belief propagation (BP) scheme, we put together a low-complexity iterative MUD algorithm for MC-CDMA systems. Furthermore, channel mismatch is introduced into the BP-based MUD algorithm to make the scenario general. With channel mismatch, the analytical results of the BP-based MUD algorithm conform perfectly to, and the simulation results of the BP-based MUD algorithm conform very closely to the BER performance of the optimum MUD derived using the replica method, which is a nontrivial extension of the existing replica approach mentioned above. Without channel mismatch, the problem becomes a special case of our contribution.
Visual Fields and OCT Role in Diagnosis of Glaucoma

Purpose To evaluate the clinical performance of visual field (VF) tests and optical coherence tomography (OCT) in diagnosing glaucoma. Methods One hundred sets of disc photographs, red-free fundus photographs, VF tests, and OCT images were presented progressively to seven ophthalmologists. Each set was provided in three steps: (1) the disc and red-free fundus photographs were shown first; (2) then, VF tests were also provided; and (3) finally, the OCT results were provided. The same process was repeated on another day. Kappa statistics were used to assess the intraobserver and interobserver agreement, as well as the agreement with the reference standard. Results The intraobserver agreement was almost perfect in this study and did not change markedly with the addition of diagnostic tools. The interobserver agreement increased from 0.54 to 0.61 when VF was added and increased slightly to 0.63 with OCT. The agreement with the reference standard also increased significantly from 0.48 to 0.61 after adding VF and increased slightly with additional OCT. Conclusions An optic disc evaluation and VF test are sufficient to diagnose glaucoma in most cases. However, OCT can play an important role in detecting glaucoma in cases in which it cannot be identified by optic disc examination and VF.
Selection of Reference Frames and the ‘Vicariance’ of Perceptual Systems

Interindividual differences in field dependence—independence (FDI) which emerge in situations of vision—posture conflict when subjects are required to orient their bodies vertically were investigated. The first aim was to see whether the same interindividual differences are found in judgements of the orientation of forms in focal vision in which subjects have to deal with conflicting spatial references processed by different sensory modalities. The second aim was to test the idea that the FDI dimension is due to functional habits linked to balancing. Subjects performed Kopfermann's (1930) shape-orientation task in either a stable (experiment 1) or an unstable (experiment 2) postural condition. Results showed that the FDI dimension comes into play in the solution of the Kopfermann shape orientation task, and that there is an interactive link between FDI and postural balance, consistent with theoretical expectations. More generally, it appears that the ‘choice’ of a spatial reference system is the product of both individual and situational characteristics, and that the ‘vicariance’ (or inter-changeability) of the sensory systems dealing with gravitational upright is at the basis of this interaction.
Enhanced platelet reactivity in pediatric depression: an observational study

Depression is associated with poor prognosis for cardiovascular disease (CVD) including mortality. Among multiple mechanisms linking depression and CVD, changes in platelet reactivity are known to be one of the major confounders of such adverse association. However, there are very limited data in children. Thus, we evaluated some conventional hemostatic indices including whole blood platelet aggregation in patients with documented pediatric depression and compared these data with those obtained from healthy children. The pediatric patients fulfilled criteria for major depression with a minimum score of 19 on the 21-item Beck Depression Inventory Scale. Plasma fibrinogen, D-dimer, platelet count, mean platelet volume, and platelet aggregation induced by ADP and collagen were measured in 67 pediatric patients with depression and matched by age and sex with 78 healthy controls. As expected, the depressed children had significantly higher BECK scales (P = 0.001) compared with the normal subjects. Platelet aggregation induced by ADP and collagen (P = 0.0001 for both) was significantly higher in depressed children. BECK scale scores correlated significantly with platelet aggregation induced by ADP (r = 0.3, P = 0.001) and collagen (r = 0.4, P = 0.01). In contrast, platelet counts, fibrinogen, D-dimer, mean platelet volume, and antithrombin-III levels were almost identical between both groups. Children with depression exhibit mostly intact hemostatic parameters, with the exception of significantly higher platelet activity when compared with healthy controls. These data match well with prior evidence from depressed adults supporting the hypothesis that platelets participate in the pathogenesis of depression. However, beyond pure assessment of platelet activity, other elements including serotonin content and cell receptor changes in pediatric depression should be elucidated before randomized trial(s) can be justified.