University of Udine

About: University of Udine is a education organization based out in Udine, Italy. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Large Hadron Collider. The organization has 6745 authors who have published 20530 publications receiving 669088 citations. The organization is also known as: Università degli Studi di Udine & Universita degli Studi di Udine.

Fronto-limbic brain structures in suicidal and non-suicidal female patients with major depressive disorder

Abstract: Our knowledge about the neurobiology of suicide is limited. It has been proposed that suicidal behavior generally requires biological abnormalities concomitant with the personality trait of impulsivity/aggression, besides an acute psychiatric illness or psychosocial stressor. We investigated fronto-limbic anatomical brain abnormalities in suicidal and non-suicidal adult female patients with unipolar depression. Our sample consisted of seven suicidal unipolar patients, 10 non-suicidal unipolar patients and 17 healthy female comparison subjects. The criterion for suicidality was one or more documented lifetime suicide attempts. A 1.5T GE Signa Imaging System running version Signa 5.4.3 software was used to acquire the magnetic resonance imaging images. All anatomical structures were measured blindly, with the subjects' identities and group assignments masked. We used analysis of covariance with age and intracranial volume as covariates and the Tukey-Kramer procedure to compare suicidal patients, non-suicidal patients and healthy comparison subjects. Suicidal patients had smaller right and left orbitofrontal cortex gray matter volumes compared with healthy comparison subjects. Suicidal patients had larger right amygdala volumes than non-suicidal patients. Abnormalities in the orbitofrontal cortex and amygdala in suicidal patients may impair decision-making and predispose these patients to act more impulsively and to attempt suicide.

Performance of missing transverse momentum reconstruction in proton-proton collisions at√s = 7 TeV with atlas

Abstract: The measurement of missing transverse momentum in the ATLAS detector, described in this paper, makes use of the full event reconstruction and a calibration based on reconstructed physics objects. The performance of the missing transverse momentum reconstruction is evaluated using data collected in pp collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 7 TeV in 2010. Minimum bias events and events with jets of hadrons are used from data samples corresponding to an integrated luminosity of about 0.3 nb(-1) and 600 nb(-1) respectively, together with events containing a Z boson decaying to two leptons (electrons or muons) or a W boson decaying to a lepton (electron or muon) and a neutrino, from a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of about 36 pb(-1). An estimate of the systematic uncertainty on the missing transverse momentum scale is presented.

Localization and broadband follow-up of the gravitational-wave transient GW150914

Abstract: A gravitational-wave (GW) transient was identified in data recorded by the Advanced Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) detectors on 2015 September 14. The event, initially designated G184098 and later given the name GW150914, is described in detail elsewhere. By prior arrangement, preliminary estimates of the time, significance, and sky location of the event were shared with 63 teams of observers covering radio, optical, near-infrared, X-ray, and gamma-ray wavelengths with ground- and space-based facilities. In this Letter we describe the low-latency analysis of the GW data and present the sky localization of the first observed compact binary merger. We summarize the follow-up observations reported by 25 teams via private Gamma-ray Coordinates Network circulars, giving an overview of the participating facilities, the GW sky localization coverage, the timeline, and depth of the observations. As this event turned out to be a binary black hole merger, there is little expectation of a detectable electromagnetic (EM) signature. Nevertheless, this first broadband campaign to search for a counterpart of an Advanced LIGO source represents a milestone and highlights the broad capabilities of the transient astronomy community and the observing strategies that have been developed to pursue neutron star binary merger events. Detailed investigations of the EM data and results of the EM follow-up campaign are being disseminated in papers by the individual teams.

Coagulation activation in diabetes mellitus: the role of hyperglycaemia and therapeutic prospects.

Abstract: Numerous studies have shown that coagulation abnormalities occur in the course of diabetes mellitus, resulting in a state of thrombophilia. These observations are supported by epidemiological studies which demonstrate that thromboembolic events are more likely to occur in diabetic patients. The coagulation abnormalities observed in diabetic patients seem to be caused by the hyperglycaemia, which also constitutes the distinguishing feature of this disease. These data are also supported by in vitro studies which demonstrate how glucose can directly determine alterations in the coagulation system. The abnormalities observed involve all stages of coagulation, affecting both thrombus formation and its inhibition, fibrinolysis, platelet and endothelial function. The final result is an imbalance between thrombus formation and dissolution, favouring the former. Hyperglycaemia probably determines the onset of these abnormalities through three mechanisms which are, respectively, non-enzymatic glycation, the development of increased oxidative stress and a decrease in the levels of heparan sulphate. The first seems to affect the functionality of key molecules of coagulation in a negative sense. Oxidative stress constitutes an important pro-thrombotic stimulus, while the decrease in heparan sulphate determines a reduction in antithrombotic defenses. Good metabolic control could play a key role in controlling the coagulation irregularities in diabetes. However, considering the difficulties in achieving such an objective, it is possible that the use of drugs may represent a valid alternative. In fact, several drugs exist which are of potential interest. It is, however, necessary to perform long-term studies which demonstrate unequivocably that by controlling the coagulation abnormalities in diabetic patients, prolongation of life is possible.