Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Five‐year results of a phase II trial of preoperative 5‐fluorouracil, epirubicin, cyclophosphamide followed by docetaxel with capecitabine (wTX) (with trastuzumab in HER2‐positive patients) for patients with stage II or III breast cancer

We aimed to increase pathologic complete response (pCR) in patients with invasive breast cancer by adding preoperative capecitabine to docetaxel following 5‐fluorouracil, epirubicin, cyclophosphamide (FEC) (with trastuzumab for patients with HER2‐positive disease) and to evaluate 5‐year disease‐free survival (DFS) associated with this preoperative regimen. Chemotherapy included four cycles of FEC100 (5‐fluorouracil 500 mg/m2, epirubicin 100 mg/m2, cyclophosphamide 500 mg/m2 IV on Day 1 every 21 days) followed by 4 21‐day cycles of docetaxel (35 mg/m2 days 1 and 8) concurrently with capecitabine (825 mg/m2 orally twice daily for 14 days followed by 7 days off) (wTX). For HER2‐positive patients, treatment was modified by decreasing epirubicin to 75 mg/m2 and adding trastuzumab (H) in standard doses (FEC75‐H →wTX‐H). The study objective was to achieve a pCR rate in the breast and axillary lymph nodes of 37% in patients with HER2‐negative breast cancer and of 67% in patients with HER2‐positive breast cancer treated with preoperative trastuzumab. A total of 186 patients were enrolled on study. In an intent‐to‐treat analysis, the pCR rate was 31% (37/118, 95% CI: 24–40%) in the HER2‐negative patients, 24% (15/62, 95% CI: 14–37%) in ER‐positive/HER2‐negative patients, 39% (22/56, 95% CI: 27–53%) in the ER‐negative/HER2‐negative patients, and 46% (29/63, 95% CI: 34–48%) in the HER2‐positive patients. The pCR rate in the 40 trastuzumab‐treated patients was 53% (21/40, 95% CI: 38–67%). Grade 3 and 4 adverse events included neutropenia, leukopenia, diarrhea, and hand‐foot skin reactions. One trastuzumab‐treated patient developed grade 3 cardiotoxicity, and 4 others experienced grade 1–2 decrements in left ventricular function; all five patients’ cardiac function returned to their baseline upon completion of trastuzumab. At 5 years, disease‐free survival was 70% in the HER2‐negative population (78% in ER‐positive/HER2‐negative and 62% in the ER‐negative/HER2‐negative patients) and 80% in the HER2‐positive patients (87% in the trastuzumab‐treated HER2‐positive patients). At 5 years, overall survival was 80% in the HER2‐negative population (88% in ER‐positive/HER2‐negative and 71% in the ER‐negative/HER2‐negative patients) and 86% in the HER2‐positive patients (94.5% in the trastuzumab‐treated HER2‐positive patients). FEC100 (FEC75 with trastuzumab) followed by weekly docetaxel plus capecitabine, with or without trastuzumab is a safe, effective preoperative cytotoxic regimen. However, the addition of capecitabine to docetaxel following FEC, with or without trastuzumab, did not increase pCR rates nor 5‐year DFS over the rates that have been reported with standard preoperative doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide (AC) followed by paclitaxel, with or without trastuzumab. Therefore, the use of capecitabine as part of preoperative chemotherapy is not recommended.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus Genotypes, Host Immune Profiles, and Disease Severity in Young Children Hospitalized With Bronchiolitis

Background Data on how respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) genotypes influence disease severity and host immune responses is limited. Here, we characterized the genetic variability of RSV during 5 seasons, and evaluated the role of RSV subtypes, genotypes, and viral loads in disease severity and host transcriptional profiles. Methods A prospective, observational study was carried out, including a convenience sample of healthy infants hospitalized with RSV bronchiolitis. Nasopharyngeal samples for viral load quantitation, typing, and genotyping, and blood samples for transcriptome analyses were obtained within 24 hours of hospitalization. Multivariate models were constructed to identify virologic and clinical variables predictive of clinical outcomes. Results We enrolled 253 infants (median age 2.1 [25%-75% interquartile range] months). RSV A infections predominated over RSV B and showed greater genotype variability. RSV A/GA2, A/GA5, and RSV B/BA were the most common genotypes identified. Compared to GA2 or BA, infants with GA5 infections had higher viral loads. GA5 infections were associated with longer hospital stay, and with less activation of interferon and increased overexpression of neutrophil genes. Conclusions RSV A infections were more frequent than RSV B, and displayed greater variability. GA5 infections were associated with enhanced disease severity and distinct host immune responses.
Type 2 diabetes is associated with loss of HDL endothelium protective functions

Aims/Hypothesis One of the hallmarks of diabetes is impaired endothelial function. Previous studies showed that HDL can exert protective effects on endothelium stimulating NO production and protecting from inflammation and suggested that HDL in obese people with diabetes and dyslipidemia may have lower endothelial protective function. We aimed to investigate whether type 2 diabetes impairs HDL endothelium protective functions in people with otherwise normal lipid profile. Methods In a case-control study (n = 41 per group) nested in the Cooper Center Longitudinal Study we tested the ability of HDL to protect endothelium by stimulating endothelial nitric oxide synthase activity and suppressing NFκB-mediated inflammatory response in endothelial cells. In parallel we measured HDL protein composition, sphinogosine-1-phosphate and P-selectin. Results Despite similar levels of plasma HDL-C the HDL in individuals with type 2 diabetes lost almost 40% of its ability to stimulate eNOS activity (P<0.001) and 20% of its ability to suppress TNFα-dependent NFκB-mediated inflammatory response in endothelial cells (P<0.001) compared to non-T2D controls despite similar BMI and lipid profile (HDL-C, LDL-C, TC, TG). Significantly, the ability of HDL to stimulate eNOS activity was negatively associated with plasma levels of P-selectin, an established marker of endothelial dysfunction (r = −0.32, P<0.001). Furthermore, sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) levels were decreased in diabetic plasma (P = 0.017) and correlated with HDL-mediated eNOS activation. Conclusions/Interpretations Collectively, our data suggest that HDL in individuals with type 2 diabetes loses its ability to maintain proper endothelial function independent of HDL-C, perhaps due to loss of S1P, and may contribute to development of diabetic complications.
Interpersonal Conflict and Organizational Commitment Among Licensed Practical Nurses

The shortage of nursing professionals in the United States is unquestionable. This shortage, which is predicted to continue into the foreseeable future, is a particularly salient problem within the nursing profession. This is especially true for long-term care facility administrators who not only are faced with the challenge of increasing numbers of aging residents but also regularly struggle with turnover among more cost-effective nursing staff, such as licensed practical nurses (LPNs). The primary purpose of this study was to examine whether perceived interpersonal conflict influences organizational commitment among LPNs. To accomplish this, we analyzed responses from 1165 LPNs throughout a Midwestern state who were queried on their perceptions of interpersonal conflict and organizational commitment in their work settings. Considering a wide range of potential confounding influences such as age and years working as an LPN, for example, we found that higher perceived interpersonal conflict was associated with significantly lower levels of organizational commitment. The implications of these findings, along with recommendations for nurse administrators to reduce LPN turnover, are discussed in the article.
Stable egress route selection for interdomain traffic engineering: model and analysis

We present a general model of interdomain route selection to study interdomain traffic engineering. In this model, the routing of multiple destinations can be coordinated. Thus the model can capture general traffic engineering behaviors such as load balancing and link capacity constraints. We first identify potential routing instability and inefficiency of interdomain traffic engineering. We then derive a sufficient condition to guarantee convergence. We also show that the constraints on local policies imposed by business considerations in the Internet can guarantee stability without global coordination. Using realistic Internet topology, we evaluate the extent to which routing instability of interdomain traffic engineering can happen when the constraints are violated
Field Evaluation of a Sprinkling System for Cooling Commercial Laying Hens in Iowa

An economical, low–pressure (276 kPa, 40 psi) sprinkling system was tested for its efficacy of cooling laying hens in a commercial high–rise layer house [14 U 130 m (46 U 426 ft)] in Iowa. The sprinklers, rated at 2.1 mL/s (2 gal/h) each, were equally spaced at 3 m (10 ft) apart and 2.4 m (8 ft) above the floor in each cage aisle of the layer house. They were controlled to operate 10 s every 10 min when the inside temperature exceeded 32 _ C (90 _ F). The system was shown to improve egg production by 2.6% overall and 5.6% for the top deck (P < 0.01). There was no sign of sprinkling damage to eggshell integrity. Autocorrelation analysis has the potential to quantify the impact of heat stress history on subsequent egg production response of the hen. Work is needed to optimize the layout of the sprinklers for uniform water distribution and water application rate as a function of environmental conditions.
Investigating of the Knocking Out Properties of Moulding Sands with New Inorganic Binders Used for Castings of Non-ferrous Metal Alloys in Comparison with the Previously Used

The article presents the results of investigations, which make a fragment of the broad-scale studies carried out as a part of the project POIG.01. 01.02-00-015/09 “Advanced materials and technologies”. One of the objectives of the introduction of new inorganic binders is to provide a good knocking out properties of moulding sands, while maintaining an appropriate level of strength properties. Therefore, a logical continuation of the previous studies were carried out the tests knocking out properties of moulding sands with new inorganic binders, including making moulds, pouring them by the chosen of non-ferrous metal alloys, knoking-out, and determining the knocking out work. The results of the study were related to the research results obtained by applying the moulding sand performed by existing technology.
ELECTROLESS Ni-B-W COATINGS FOR IMPROVING HARDNESS, WEAR AND CORROSION RESISTANCE NANA(ANJE Ni-B-W S CEMENTACIJSKIM GALVANIZIRANJEM ZA IZBOLJ(ANJE TRDOTE, OBRABE IN ODPORNOSTI PROTI KOROZIJI

In this study the formation of a Ni-B-W coating on steel using an electroless plating process and evaluation of the hardness, wear and corrosion resistance was analyzed. The Ni-B-W coating was prepared using an alkaline borohydride-reduced electroless nickel bath. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the cross-sectional view of the Ni-B-W coating was analyzed and the layer characteristics were investigated. The Ni-B-W coating was characterized using XRD. The study reveals that the Ni-B-W coating is amorphous in the as-plated condition and after heat treatment at 450 °C for 1 h the Ni-B-W coatings crystallize and produce nickel and nickel borides. The hardness of the as-plated and heat-treated Ni-B-W coatings were compared with Ni-B coatings. In both coatings the hardness increased with heat treatment. The wear resistance of Ni-B-W coatings annealed at different temperatures was analyzed using a ball-on-flat test. The wear resistance of the coating increased with heat treatment and reached a maximum value at 400 °C. An optical microscope and EDS analysis were applied on the wear tracks to determine the wear mechanism. Ductile failure and an abrasive wear mechanism were dominant for the coating heat treated up to 400 °C. Network cracks and shearing marks were detected for the coatings annealed at 450 °C and above, indicating brittle failure. For investigating the corrosion characteristics of the coatings, immersion tests i n5%H 2SO4 and 10 % HCl acidic solutions for seven days were applied. According to the corrosion test results, the Ni-B-W coatings showed good corrosion resistance in the H2SO4 solutions.
Evidence-based Neuro Linguistic Psychotherapy: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) Framework has enjoyed enormous popularity in the field of applied psychology. NLP has been used in business, education, law, medicine and psychotherapy to identify people's patterns and alter their responses to stimuli, so they are better able to regulate their environment and themselves. NLP looks at achieving goals, creating stable relationships, eliminating barriers such as fears and phobias, building self-confidence, and self-esteem, and achieving peak performance. Neuro Linguistic Psychotherapy (NLPt) encompasses NLP as framework and set of interventions in the treatment of individuals with different psychological and/or social problems. We aimed systematically to analyse the available data regarding the effectiveness of Neuro Linguistic Psychotherapy (NLPt). SUBJECTS AND METHODS The present work is a meta-analysis of studies, observational or randomized controlled trials, for evaluating the efficacy of Neuro Linguistic Programming in individuals with different psychological and/or social problems. The databases searched to identify studies in English and German language: CENTRAL in the Cochrane Library; PubMed; ISI Web of Knowledge (include results also from Medline and the Web of Science); PsycINFO (including PsycARTICLES); Psyndex; Deutschsprachige Diplomarbeiten der Psychologie (database of theses in Psychology in German language), Social SciSearch; National library of health and two NLP-specific research databases: one from the NLP Community (http://www.nlp.de/cgi-bin/research/nlprdb.cgi? action=res_entries) and one from the NLP Group (http://www.nlpgrup.com/bilimselarastirmalar/bilimsel-arastirmalar-4.html#Zweig154). RESULTS From a total number of 425 studies, 350 were removed and considered not relevant based on the title and abstract. Included, in the final analysis, are 12 studies with numbers of participants ranging between 12 and 115 subjects. The vast majority of studies were prospective observational. The actual paper represents the first meta-analysis evaluating the effectiveness of NLP therapy for individuals with social/psychological problems. The overall meta-analysis found that the NLP therapy may add an overall standardized mean difference of 0.54 with a confidence interval of CI=[0.20; 0.88]. CONCLUSION Neuro-Linguistic Psychotherapy as a psychotherapeutic modality grounded in theoretical frameworks, methodologies and interventions scientifically developed, including models developed by NLP, shows results that can hold its ground in comparison with other psychotherapeutic methods.
EVALUATION OF DIFFERENT REINFORCED SUBBASES ON EXPANSIVE SOIL SUBGRADE - A LABORATORY MODEL STUDY

Evaluation Studies on the laboratory model flexible pavement system were carried out by using the different reinforcement materials in the gravel/flyash subbase courses laid on Expansive soil subgrade. It was observed from the laboratory test results of direct shear and CBR, that the optimum percentage of waste plastics and waste tyre rubber are equal to 0.3% &5% for gravel subbase material and 0.4% & 6.0% for flyash subbase materials. Cyclic Load tests were carried out in the laboratory by placing a circular metal plate on model flexible pavements. It is observed that the maximum load carrying capacity associated with less value of rebound deflection is obtained for Geogrid followed by Bitumen Coated Bamboo Mesh (BCBM), Waste Plastics (WP) and Waste Tyre Rubber reinforcements in the model flexible pavement system.
Three distinct classes of regulatory cytokines control endothelial cell MHC antigen expression. Interactions with immune gamma interferon differentiate the effects of tumor necrosis factor and lymphotoxin from those of leukocyte alpha and fibroblast beta interferons

Recombinant preparations of TNF and lymphotoxin (LT) increase the expression of class I MHC antigens on cultured human endothelial cells (EC) without inducing expression of class II antigens. These actions are similar to those of rIFN-alpha or rIFN-beta. However, TNF and LT differ from IFN-alpha/beta in that the former synergize with IFN-gamma for class I regulation whereas the latter do not. Furthermore, LT or TNF do not affect IFN-gamma-mediated class II induction at optimal class I inducing concentrations (100 U/ml), whereas IFN-alpha and IFN- beta (at their optimal concentrations of 1,000 U/ml) are strikingly inhibitory. LT and TNF also can further increase expression of class I antigens on cells already maximally stimulated by IFN-alpha or IFN- beta. A recombinant preparation of IL-6 (formerly called 26-kD protein, IFN-beta 2, or B cell stimulating factor 2) was without effect on class I expression in EC. These data make it seem unlikely that the actions of LT or TNF on EC expression of MHC antigens are mediated through autocrine or paracrine production of IFN-alpha, IFN-beta or IL-6. More importantly, they suggest that LT or TNF are more likely to be immunostimulatory, whereas IFN-alpha or IFN-beta are more likely to be immunoinhibitory in vivo, a consideration of potential relevance for cytokine administration to various patient populations.
Brain tumor segmentation in multi‐spectral MRI using convolutional neural networks (CNN)

A tumor could be found in any area of the brain and could be of any size, shape, and contrast. There may exist multiple tumors of different types in a human brain at the same time. Accurate tumor area segmentation is considered primary step for treatment of brain tumors. Deep Learning is a set of promising techniques that could provide better results as compared to nondeep learning techniques for segmenting timorous part inside a brain. This article presents a deep convolutional neural network (CNN) to segment brain tumors in MRIs. The proposed network uses BRATS segmentation challenge dataset which is composed of images obtained through four different modalities. Accordingly, we present an extended version of existing network to solve segmentation problem. The network architecture consists of multiple neural network layers connected in sequential order with the feeding of Convolutional feature maps at the peer level. Experimental results on BRATS 2015 benchmark data thus show the usability of the proposed approach and its superiority over the other approaches in this area of research.
Disorganization of F-actin cytoskeleton precedes vacuolar disruption in pollen tubes during the in vivo self-incompatibility response in Nicotiana alata.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS The integrity of actin filaments (F-actin) is essential for pollen-tube growth. In S-RNase-based self-incompatibility (SI), incompatible pollen tubes are inhibited in the style. Consequently, research efforts have focused on the alterations of pollen F-actin cytoskeleton during the SI response. However, so far, these studies were carried out in in vitro-grown pollen tubes. This study aimed to assess the timing of in vivo changes of pollen F-actin cytoskeleton taking place after compatible and incompatible pollinations in Nicotiana alata. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the in vivo F-actin alterations occurring during pollen rejection in the S-RNase-based SI system. METHODS The F-actin cytoskeleton and the vacuolar endomembrane system were fluorescently labelled in compatibly and incompatibly pollinated pistils at different times after pollination. The alterations induced by the SI reaction in pollen tubes were visualized by confocal laser scanning microscopy. KEY RESULTS Early after pollination, about 70 % of both compatible and incompatible pollen tubes showed an organized pattern of F-actin cables along the main axis of the cell. While in compatible pollinations this percentage was unchanged until pollen tubes reached the ovary, pollen tubes of incompatible pollinations underwent gradual and progressive F-actin disorganization. Colocalization of the F-actin cytoskeleton and the vacuolar endomembrane system, where S-RNases are compartmentalized, revealed that by day 6 after incompatible pollination, when the pollen-tube growth was already arrested, about 80 % of pollen tubes showed disrupted F-actin but a similar percentage had intact vacuolar compartments. CONCLUSIONS The results indicate that during the SI response in Nicotiana, disruption of the F-actin cytoskeleton precedes vacuolar membrane breakdown. Thus, incompatible pollen tubes undergo a sequential disorganization process of major subcellular structures. Results also suggest that the large pool of S-RNases released from vacuoles acts late in pollen rejection, after significant subcellular changes in incompatible pollen tubes.
Method for Pocket Die Design on the Basis of Numerical Investigation of Aluminium Extrusion Process

The paper considers dependences of metal forming characteristics on dimensionless geometrical parameters of flat pocket die design at direct extrusion of aluminium thin-walled solid profiles. The theoretical analysis of plastic metal flow is carried out by means of the 2-D FEM model. The new method for flat pocket die design is proposed in the paper. The die design example is given for non-symmetrical U-shape profile. jskih legura. Clanak razmatra ovisnost karakteristika oblikovanja metala na bezdimenzionalne geometrijske parametre ravne džepne matice u izravnom istiskivanju tankih Al-profila. Teorijska analiza plasticnog tecenja metala je provedena primjenom 2-D FEM modela. nova metoda je predložena za izradbu ravne džepne matrice. Odnosi se na nesimetricni U-profil. Kljucne rijeci: metoda konacnih elemenata, izravno istiskivanje, projektiranje matrice, džepna ravna matrica, aluminijska legura
Effect of Sintering Condition on Electrical Properties of PLZT Ceramics

Feroelectric lead lanthanum zirconate titanate (PLZT) ceramics 9/70/30 were synthesized by conventional mixed-oxide method via a vibro-milling technique. The effect of sintering temperature and two-stage sintering method on electrical properties of PLZT ceramics was investigated. The ceramic powder was uniaxially pressed in pellets and sintered at the temperatures ranging from 1200 to 1275 °C for 4hrs and two-stage sintering temperature at 1200 °C for 4 hrs. Dielectric, ferroelectric and strain properties of ceramics were characterized by LCR meter, modified Sawyer–Tower Circuit and modified Michelson interferometric technique respectively.