University of Modena and Reggio Emilia

About: University of Modena and Reggio Emilia is a education organization based out in Modena, Italy. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Medicine. The organization has 8179 authors who have published 22418 publications receiving 671337 citations. The organization is also known as: Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia & Universita degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia.

Analysis of reliability and power efficiency in cascode class-E PAs

Abstract: Power efficiency in switched common source class-E amplifiers is usually obtained at the expense of device stress. Device stacking is a viable way to reduce voltage drops across a single device, improving long-term reliability. In this paper, we focus on cascode-based topologies, analyzing the loss mechanisms and giving direction to optimize the design. In particular, a new dissipative mechanism, peculiar of the cascode implementation, is identified and a circuit solution to minimize its effect is proposed. Prototypes, realized in a 0.13-/spl mu/m CMOS technology demonstrate 67% PAE while delivering 23 dBm peak power at 1.7 GHz. Good bandwidth was also realized with greater than 60% PAE over the frequency range of 1.4-2 GHz.

Seeing a phrase “time and again” matters: the role of phrasal frequency in the processing of multiword sequences

Abstract: Are speakers sensitive to the frequency with which phrases occur in language? The authors report an eye-tracking study that investigates this by examining the processing of multiword sequences that differ in phrasal frequency by native and proficient nonnative English speakers. Participants read sentences containing 3-word binomial phrases (bride and groom) and their reversed forms (groom and bride), which are identical in syntax and meaning but that differ in phrasal frequency. Mixed-effects modeling revealed that native speakers and nonnative speakers, across a range of proficiencies, are sensitive to the frequency with which phrases occur in English. Results also indicate that native speakers and higher proficiency nonnatives are sensitive to whether a phrase occurs in a particular configuration (binomial vs. reversed) in English, highlighting the contribution of entrenchment of a particular phrase in memory.

Inherited Apolipoprotein A-V Deficiency in Severe Hypertriglyceridemia

Abstract: Objective— Mutations in LPL or APOC2 genes are recognized causes of inherited forms of severe hypertriglyceridemia. However, some hypertrigliceridemic patients do not have mutations in either of these genes. Because inactivation or hyperexpression of APOA5 gene, encoding apolipoprotein A-V (apoA-V), causes a marked increase or decrease of plasma triglycerides in mice, and because some common polymorphisms of this gene affect plasma triglycerides in humans, we have hypothesized that loss of function mutations in APOA5 gene might cause hypertriglyceridemia. Methods and Results— We sequenced APOA5 gene in 10 hypertriglyceridemic patients in whom mutations in LPL and APOC2 genes had been excluded. One of them was found to be homozygous for a mutation in APOA5 gene (c.433 C>T, Q145X), predicted to generate a truncated apoA-V devoid of key functional domains. The plasma of this patient was found to activate LPL in vitro less efficiently than control plasma, thus suggesting that apoA-V might be an activator of LPL. Ten carriers of Q145X mutation were found in the patient’s family; 5 of them had mild hypertriglyceridemia. Conclusions— As predicted from animal studies, apoA-V deficiency is associated with severe hypertriglyceridemia in humans. This observation suggests that apoA-V regulates the secretion and/or catabolism of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins.

Fractalkine receptor deficiency impairs microglial and neuronal responsiveness to chronic stress

Abstract: Chronic stress is one of the most relevant triggering factors for major depression. Microglial cells are highly sensitive to stress and, more generally, to environmental challenges. However, the role of these brain immune cells in mediating the effects of stress is still unclear. Fractalkine signaling – which comprises the chemokine CX 3 CL1, mainly expressed by neurons, and its receptor CX 3 CR1, almost exclusively present on microglia in the healthy brain – has been reported to critically regulate microglial activity. Here, we investigated whether interfering with microglial function by deleting the Cx 3 cr1 gene affects the brain’s response to chronic stress. To this purpose, we housed Cx 3 cr1 knockout and wild-type adult mice in either control or stressful environments for 2 weeks, and investigated the consequences on microglial phenotype and interactions with synapses, synaptic transmission, behavioral response and corticosterone levels. Our results show that hampering neuron–microglia communication via the CX 3 CR1–CX 3 CL1 pathway prevents the effects of chronic unpredictable stress on microglial function, short- and long-term neuronal plasticity and depressive-like behavior. Overall, the present findings suggest that microglia-regulated mechanisms may underlie the differential susceptibility to stress and consequently the vulnerability to diseases triggered by the experience of stressful events, such as major depression.