Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Magnetoconvection and dynamo coefficients II. Field-direction dependent pumping of magnetic field

We study the pumping of magnetic flux in three-dimensional compressible magnetoconvection in the context of stellar dynamos. The simulation domain represents a rectangular section from the lower part of a stellar convection zone plus the underlying stably stratified layer, with a total depth of up to five pressure scale heights. Once convection has attained a statistically stationary state, a magnetic field is introduced. The magnetic field is subsequently modified by the convective motions, and the resulting pumping eects are isolated by calculating various coecients of the expansion of the electromotive force, u b, in terms of components of the mean magnetic field. The dependence of the pumping eects on rotation, latitude and other parameters is studied. First numerical evidence is found for the existence of pumping eects in the horizontal directions. Evidence is found that the pumping eects act dierently on dierent components of the mean magnetic field. Latitudinal pumping is mainly equatorward for a toroidal field, and can be poleward for a poloidal field. Longitudinal pumping is mainly retrograde for the radial field but prograde for the latitudinal field. The pumping eect in the vertical direction is found to be dominated by the diamagnetic eect, equivalent to a predominating downward advection with a maximum speed in the turbulent case of about 10% of the rms convective velocity. Where possible, an attempt is made to identify the physical origin of the eect. Finally, some consequences of the results for stellar dynamos are discussed.
Ready-to-use house dust mites atopy patch test (HDM-Diallertest), a new screening tool for detection of house dust mites allergy in children.

AIM to assess the accuracy and safety of a ready-to-use atopy patch test (HDM-Diallertest, DBV Technologies, Paris) in the diagnosis of sensitization to house-dust mite (HDM) allergens in children with or without atopic dermatitis. PATIENTS AND METHODS prospective analysis of a systematic allergic work-up was carried out in 47 children, age 57.4+42 months (mean + SD, range 7 to 176 mo), presenting with isolated or combined atopic dermatitis (AD, n = 28) or other symptoms without AD (control group, n = 19). Children were routinely tested for specific HDM-IgE [against D. pteronyssinus (DPT) and D. farinae (DF)], and skin testing based on HDM (DPT & DF) skin prick test (SPT) and ready-to-use HDM-ATP (HDM-Diallertest), with a reading at 72 hours. RESULTS 15 children (31.9%) exhibited specific IgE against both DPT and DF, 16 children (34.04%) exhibited positive SPT against DPT and 17 (36.1%) against DF. HDM-Diallertest was positive in 15 cases (31.9%). Among these, 9 exhibited with an eczematous reaction showed an excellent correlation with both SPT and specific IgE for DPT and DF, respectively 93.3%, 97.77%, 90.47%, and 90.47%. The different diagnostic techniques of HDM sensitization neither differ between groups, nor correlated specifically with the different clinical manifestations. No side effect was observed during and after patch testing, except for a local reaction without diffusion outside the local test area. CONCLUSION The 3 diagnostic techniques exhibited a comparable level of accuracy for the diagnosis of HDM allergens sensitization. The excellent concordance of the highest class reactions of HDM-Diallertest with the other diagnostic techniques indicates a potential role as a screening tool for the detection of HDM sensitization in infancy.
Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor-Dependent cdk1 Inhibition Prevents G2/M Progression in Differentiating Tetraploid Neurons

Neurodegeneration is often associated with DNA synthesis in neurons, the latter usually remaining for a long time as tetraploid cells before dying by apoptosis. The molecular mechanism preventing G2/M transition in these neurons remains unknown, but it may be reminiscent of the mechanism that maintains tetraploid retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in a G2-like state during normal development, thus preventing their death. Here we show that this latter process, known to depend on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), requires the inhibition of cdk1 by TrkB. We demonstrate that a subpopulation of chick RGCs previously shown to become tetraploid co-expresses TrkB and cdk1 in vivo. By using an in vitro system that recapitulates differentiation and cell cycle re-entry of chick retinal neurons we show that BDNF, employed at concentrations specific for the TrkB receptor, reduces the expression of cdk1 in TrkB-positive, differentiating neurons. In this system, BDNF also inhibits the activity of both endogenous cdk1 and exogenously-expressed cdk1/cyclin B1 complex. This inhibition correlates with the phosphorylation of cdk1 at Tyr15, an effect that can be prevented with K252a, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor commonly used to prevent the activity of neurotrophins through their Trk receptors. The effect of BDNF on cdk1 activity is Tyr15-specific since BDNF cannot prevent the activity of a constitutively active form of cdk1 (Tyr15Phe) when expressed in differentiating retinal neurons. We also show that BDNF-dependent phosphorylation of cdk1 at Tyr15 could not be blocked with MK-1775, a Wee1-selective inhibitor, indicating that Tyr15 phosphorylation in cdk1 does not seem to occur through the canonical mechanism observed in proliferating cells. We conclude that the inhibition of both expression and activity of cdk1 through a BDNF-dependent mechanism contributes to the maintenance of tetraploid RGCs in a G2-like state.
Relevance of Different UGT1A1 Polymorphisms in Irinotecan-Induced Toxicity

Purpose: We wanted to assess polymorphisms in the uridine diphosphoglucuronosyl transferase 1A1 (UGT 1A1) gene: the TATA box polymorphism and UGT 1A1 G71R and Y486D mutations in the coding sequence, the main mutations characterizing Gilbert’s syndrome, as predictors of severe toxic event occurrence after irinotecan (CPT-11) administration. Therefore, we set up a rapid, sensitive, and reliable technique in routine practice to detect before CPT-11 treatment, the at-risk patients. Experimental Design: Seventy-five patients with advanced colorectal cancer and treated with CPT-11 and 5-fluorouracil, entered the study. We used the Pyrosequencing technology a real-time sequencing method, to detect the UGT 1A1 TATA box polymorphisms and mutations in the coding regions. Patients were also assessed for both biochemical and clinical evaluation and tolerance to treatment. Results: No G71R and Y486D mutations were found in our population. Frequencies for UGT 1A1 TATA box polymorphisms were 41, 47, and 9% for wild-type 6/6, heterozygous 6/7, and Gilbert’s syndrome 7/7, respectively. Tolerance to treatment decreased with increased number of TA repeat with 71% of the patients in 7/7 group who experienced grade 3/4 toxicity. Conclusions: The method we set up is suitable for the detection of UGT 1A1 polymorphism in routine practice before irinotecan treatment. It could help to detect the patients homozygous or heterozygous for Gilbert’s syndrome, at-risk of CPT 11-induced toxicity, and thus could help to individualize the dose to optimize efficacy and limit toxicity.
Structure and transport of the East African Coastal Current

The East African Coastal Current (EACC) runs northward throughout the year between latitudes 11°S and 3°S, with surface speeds exceeding 1 m s−1 in northern summer. Mean transport from five sections near 4°–5°S is 19.9 Sv (1 Sv ≡ 106 m3 s−1) northward in the upper 500 dbar, out to 120 km offshore. Below that, between 500 and 1000 dbar, there appears to be a weak variable transport of the order of 1 Sv. Comparing transports in the EACC with those in the boundary current north of Madagascar, it seems that most of the water in the upper 300 dbar of the northern branch of the South Equatorial Current goes into the EACC. Below 300 dbar there is an excess westward transport north of Madagascar which probably goes into the Mozambique Channel. At its northern end, in northern winter the EACC converges with the south-going Somali Current to form the Equatorial Countercurrent, with an eastward transport of about 22 Sv (0–300 dbar). In northern summer, the EACC merges into the north-going Somali Current.
Eustatically controlled sedimentation recorded by Eocene strata of the James Ross Basin, Antarctica

Abstract The Eocene La Meseta Formation is an unconformity-bounded unit that records the geological evolution of the James Ross Basin, NE Antarctic Peninsula, during a period of decreasing tectonism and a lull in volcanic activity. This unit represents a composite incised valley, filled with deltaic, estuarine and shallow-marine deposits showing a landwards facies shift that indicates deposition during an overall sea-level rise. The six unconformity-based internal units (Valle de las Focas, Acantilados, Campamento, Cucullaea I, Cucullaea II and Submeseta allomembers) are interpreted to represent minor-scale regressive-transgressive events. Geological, palaeontological and new strontium isotopic ages allow the correlation of base-level changes with second- and third-order eustatic sea-level fluctuations. The base of the La Meseta Formation is correlated with a global 56 Ma lowstand in sea level followed by a main episode of flooding between 54.3 and 52.4 Ma. The base of the Cucullaea I Allomember is correlated with the well-known late Ypresian (49 Ma) lowstand, and the base of the Submeseta Allomember with the 36 Ma lowstand. Correlation of Eocene sea-level fluctuations in the northern Antarctic Peninsula with the global sea-level curve strengthens the concept of global syncroneity of the eustatic sea-level curve.
A numerical investigation of the Somali Current during the southwest monsoon

The dynamics of the Somali Current system during the Southwest Monsoon are investigated using a 21/2-layer numerical model that includes entrainment of cool water into the upper layer. Entrainment cools the upper layer, provides interfacial drag, and prevents the interface from surfacing in regions of strong coastal upwelling. Solutions are forced by a variety of wind stress fields in ocean basins with western boundaries oriented either meridionally or at a 45° angle. Solutions forced by southern hemisphere easterlies develop a strong coastal current south of the equator. When the western boundary is slanted, this current bends offshore at the equator and meanders back into the ocean interior. No cold wedge forms on the Somali Coast. These solutions suggest that the southern hemisphere trades are not an important forcing mechanism of the Somali Current circulation.
Crystal structural features of hydrous forsterite: Effect of Fe on the M-site vacancies, possible hydrogen positions and variation of the unit cell dimensions

A qualitative understanding of the incorporation of hydrogen atoms in forsterite and corresponding octahedral vacancies are given from the inspection of the crystal structure with the view point of minimum strain configuration. In the case of Fe-free hydrous forsterite, the structural strain from the ideal size is larger in the M1 site than in the M2 site. Two H atoms may replace the Mg atom predominantly at the M1 site to reduce the structural strain, giving the vacancy at the M1 site. In the case of Fe-bearing hydrous forsterite, two H atoms may replace the Mg atom predominantly at the M2 site to avoid the combination of Fe in M1 site and Mg in M2 site for the reduction of the structural strain, giving the vacancy at the M2 site. In both cases, the most probable H atom locations are near to the edges of MO6 octahedra. Variation of the unit cell dimensions (∂b/b0 > ∂c/c0 > ∂a/a0) with the incorporation of hydrogen atom is interpreted in terms of retractable and unretractable chains in the part of olivine structure.
Potential predictability of seasonal precipitation over the United States from canonical ensemble correlation predictions

Potential predictability of seasonal precipitation over the US is explored using a new canonical ensemble correlation (CEC) prediction model, which optimally utilizes intrinsic sea surface temperature (SST) variability in major ocean basins. Results show that CEC yields a remarkable (10–20%) increase in baseline prediction skills for seasonal precipitation over the US for all seasons, compared to traditional statistical predictions using global SST. While the tropical Pacific, i.e., El Niño, contributes to the largest share of potential predictability in the southern tier States during boreal winter, the North Pacific and the North Atlantic are responsible for enhanced predictability in the northern Great Plains, Midwest and the southwest US during boreal summer. Overall, CEC significantly reduces the spring‐summer predictability barrier over the conterminous US, thereby raising the skill bar for seasonal precipitation predictions.
Bacterial Pathogens of Ventilator Associated Pneumonia in a Tertiary Referral Hospital

Background This study evaluates the bacterial pathogens of Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in a tertiary referral hospital. Methods A total of 109 bacterial pathogens from 91 adult patients with VAP, who were admitted to the medical intensive care unit from January 2008 to December 2009, were examined. Clinical characteristics, bacterial pathogens, and resistance profiles were analyzed. Results Staphylococcus aureus (44%) was the most frequently isolated. Acinetobacter baumanii (30%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (12%), Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (7%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (6%), and Serratia marcescens (2%) were isolated from the transtracheal aspirates or bronchoalveolar lavage in patients with VAP. There was no significant difference of bacterial pathogens between early and late onset VAP. All isolated S. aureus were methicillin resistant S. aureus; the imipenem resistance rate of A. baumanii was 69%. Conclusion The two most frequent pathogens of VAP were S. aureus and A. baumanii. There were no pathogenic differences between early and late onset VAP.
Management of Seasonally Flooded Impoundments for Wildlife

Abstract : The concepts and practices that make up moist-soil management were developed at Mingo National Wildlife Refuge in southeast Missouri from 196S to 1982. Moist-soil management offers opportunities to attract and hold a wide variety of wildlife on man-made impoundments. Our goal is to discuss techniques that can be used by managers to develop and maintain wildlife food production in both man-made and natural wetlands. We encourage the use of management schemes based on the migration or breeding phenology of wildlife species and their food requirements to maximize use of habitat and available funds.
Parametric study of geohydrologic performance characteristics for geologic waste repositories

One of the major objectives of the National Waste Terminal Storage Program is to identify potential geologic sites for storage and isolation of radioactive waste (and possibly irradiated fuel). Potential sites for the storage and isolation of radioactive waste or spent fuel in a geologic rock unit are being carefully evaluated to ensure that radionuclides from the stored waste or fuel will never appear in the biosphere in amounts that would constitute a hazard to the health and safety of the public. The objective of this report is to quantify and present in graphical form the effects of significant geohydrologic and other performance characteristics that would influence the movement of radionuclides from a storage site in a rock unit to the biosphere. The effort in this study was focused on transport by groundwater because that is the most likely method of radionuclide escape. Graphs of the major performance characteristics that influence the transport of radionuclides from a repository to the biosphere by groundwater are presented. The major characteristics addressed are radioactive decay, leach rate, hydraulic conductivity, porosity, groundwater gradient, hydrodynamic dispersion, ion exchange, and distance to the biosphere. These major performance characteristics are combind with each other and with themore » results of certain other combinations and presented in graphical form to provide the interrelationships of values measured during field studies. The graphical form of presentation should be useful in the screening process of site selection. An appendix illustrates the use of these graphs to assess the suitability of a site. « less
Analysis of early failures after intravesical instillation therapy with bacille Calmette-Guérin for carcinoma in situ of the bladder.

OBJECTIVE To analyse the clinical and therapeutic consequences of early treatment failure after bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) instillation therapy for carcinoma in situ of the bladder. PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 115 patients with carcinoma in situ (Tis) of the bladder were treated by intravesical instillation of living BCG vaccine (Immun BCG Pasteur F). Twenty five patients had primary Tis and 90 had secondary Tis with synchronous or prior superficial papillary tumours. All papillary tumours were resected before instillation of BCG. All patients completed one series of 6 weekly instillations of 120 mg BCG. RESULTS Twenty-two of 25 patients (88%) with primary Tis responded completely, with negative cytology and cystoscopy findings within a median follow-up period of 44 months. Three of the 25 (12%) had cytological evidence of disease within 9 months of therapy and were considered to be early treatment failures. One patient had muscle-invasive bladder cancer, one had Tis and invasive cancer of the prostatic urethra, and the last, in whom a second BCG course also failed, had Tis of both ureters. Seventy of 90 patients (78%) with secondary Tis had a complete response after treatment with BCG, with repeated negative cytology and cystoscopy examinations within a median follow-up time of 40 months. Twenty of the 90 (22%) with secondary Tis had positive cytology within 9 months after BCG therapy and were considered early treatment failures. Five of these 20 had a cystectomy, three for persistent Tis of the bladder and two for a solid urothelial carcinoma of the prostate. The remaining 15 early failures received a second course of BCG. Four of these 15 patients responded and the remaining 11 failed the second course. The 11 failures included two patients with multifocal T1 G3 bladder cancers. four with invasive bladder cancer, two with solid urothelial carcinomas of the prostatic urethra, and three with Tis of the upper urinary tract. CONCLUSIONS According to these data, early treatment failure after 6 weekly instillations of 120 mg Immun BCG Pasteur F is an alarming signal which requires immediate re-assessment of the patient to exclude a muscle-invasive bladder cancer or an extravesical carcinoma in situ, either in the upper urinary tract or in the prostatic urethra.
Calcineurin inhibitors acutely improve insulin sensitivity without affecting insulin secretion in healthy human volunteers.

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT New onset diabetes after transplantation is related to treatment with immunosuppressive medications. Clinical studies have shown that risk of new onset diabetes is greater with tacrolimus compared with ciclosporin. The diabetogenicity of ciclosporin and tacrolimus has been attributed to both beta cell dysfunction and impaired insulin sensitivity. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS This is the first trial to investigate beta cell function and insulin sensitivity using gold standard methodology in healthy human volunteers treated with clinically relevant doses of ciclosporin and tacrolimus. We document that both drugs acutely increase insulin sensitivity, while first phase and pulsatile insulin secretion remain unaffected. This study demonstrates that ciclosporin and tacrolimus have similar acute effects on glucose metabolism in healthy humans. AIM The introduction of calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) ciclosporin (CsA) and tacrolimus (Tac) has improved the outcome of organ transplants, but complications such as new onset diabetes mellitus after transplantation (NODAT) cause impairment of survival rates. The relative contribution of each CNI to the pathogenesis and development of NODAT remains unclear. We sought to compare the impact of CsA and Tac on glucose metabolism in human subjects. METHODS Ten healthy men underwent 5 h infusions of CsA, Tac and saline in a randomized, double-blind, crossover study. During infusion glucose metabolism was investigated using following methods: a hyperinsulinaemic-euglycemic clamp, an intravenous glucose tolerance test (i.v.GTT), glucose-stimulated insulin concentration-time series and indirect calorimetry. RESULTS Clamp derived insulin sensitivity was increased by 25% during CsA (P < 0.0001) and 13% during Tac administration (P = 0.047), whereas first phase and pulsatile insulin secretion were unaffected. Coinciding with the CNI induced improved insulin sensitivity, glucose oxidation rates increased, while insulin clearance rates decreased, only non-significantly. Tac singularly lowered hsCRP concentrations, otherwise no changes were observed in circulating glucagon, FFA or adiponectin concentrations. Mean blood concentrations of CNIs were 486.9 ± 23.5 µg l(-1) for CsA and 12.8 ± 0.5 µg l(-1) for Tac. CONCLUSIONS Acute effects of i.v. CsA, and to a lesser degree Tac infusions, in healthy volunteers include increased insulin sensitivity, without any effect on first phase or pulsatile insulin secretion.
Benazeprilat disposition and effect in dogs revisited with a pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic modeling approach.

The pharmacokinetic disposition of benazeprilat, an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor (ACEI), was assessed with a nonlinear binding model in dogs. A single oral benazepril dose, a single i.v. benazeprilat dose, or a daily oral dose of benazepril for 14 consecutive days was administered. The activity of benazeprilat was assessed by measuring plasma ACE inhibition with an ex vivo assay. Benazeprilat data were fitted to equations corresponding to a monocompartmental model with a volume equal to the extracellular space ( approximately 0.2 l/kg) in which a fraction of benazeprilat was nonlinearily bound to ACE with both a saturable tissue and nontissue binding. The half-life of benazeprilat elimination determined from this physiologically based model was 39 +/- 6 min. The estimated maximal binding capacity of benazeprilat to ACE was approximately 23.5 nmol/kg, 90% of which was tissular. The estimated equilibrium constant of dissociation (K(d)) of benazeprilat to ACE was 2.7 to 4.5 nM. IC(50) values were one order of magnitude lower than K(d) values (i.e., approximately 0.27 nM). The nonlinear disposition of benazeprilat raised several issues and it was concluded that the benazeprilat concentration profile was only relevant to definition of an optimal dosage regimen if the appropriate kinetic model was used to interpret the plasma data.