Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Molecular mechanisms of hyperthermia- and cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity in T cell leukemia.

BACKGROUND The prognosis of early and very early relapse in acute lymphoblastic leukemia of childhood is still very poor unless a hematopoietic stem cell transplant is performed if a second remission can be achieved by induction chemotherapy. Therefore an intensification of chemotherapy is required. MATERIALS AND METHODS In the present study the molecular mechanisms of cisplatin- and/or hyperthermia-mediated cytotoxicity in CEM cells, a human T leukemia cell line, were investigated. RESULTS Both hyperthermia and cisplatin induced the activation of the effector caspases-3 and -6. However, caspase activation followed different time kinetics. While hyperthermia exerted maximum caspase activation immediately after application, cisplatin activated caspase-3 and -6 after 24 hours. At both time-points significant caspase-3 and -6 activation was observed when the cells were stimulated by a combination of heat and cisplatin. The application of z-VAD-fmk, a general caspase inhibitor, showed that hyperthermia mediated cytotoxicity mainly via caspase-dependent mechanisms, while cisplatin induced both caspase-dependent and -independent cytotoxicity. Time kinetic experiments revealed that hyperthermia induced cell death immediately after the heating pulse. In contrast, cisplatin-induced cell death had its maximum between 6 hours and 12 hours after the heating pulse. The combined application of heat and cisplatin induced two peaks of cytotoxicity, one immediately after the heating pulse and the other between 6 hours and 12 hours. CONCLUSION Hyperthermia and cisplatin induced cell death in T leukemic cells by different molecular mechanisms, which might explain the enhanced cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity by hyperthermia.
From the Tethyan Ocean to the Paratethys Sea; Oligocene to Neogene stratigraphy, paleogeography and paleobiogeography of the circum-Mediterranean region and the Oligocene to Neogene basin evolution in Austria

The Oligocene and Neogene Molasse Basin and the Alpine/Carpathian intramountainous basins (e.g. Vienna and Styrian Basin) of Austria belong to the Paratethys realm. The most recent strafigraphic correlation of the Paratethys Chronostratigraphic Stage System with the world wide used Mediterranean Stage System is given. The three tectonic units of the Molasse Basin, the autochthonous, allochthonous and parautochthonous Molasse units and the sedimentary cycles of the Molasse Basin, and the tectonic history of the two larger intramountainous Viennaand Styrian Basins, and their sedimentary sequences are described through time. The main part deals with the sedimentological and facial evolution, the paleogeography and the paleobiogeography of these Austrian basins, in six time slices (Late Eocene, Oligocene, Lower Miocene, Middle Miocene, Middle to Late Miocene and Pliocene) as seen within the general evolution of the circum-Mediterranean region.
INTO THE MIRE : THE BEHAVIOR OF FINES IN A MUD OCEAN ON CERES AND OTHER CARBONACEOUS BODIES

Introduction: Results from the Dawn mission suggest the planet Ceres is at least partially differentiated, with a carbon-rich crust made of clays, salts, clathrates and ice [1-3]. Thermal evolution models based on muddy oceans have been used to understand the interior evolution of Ceres [4-5], but there are other alternatives [6]. A key question is whether silicate fines would actually stay suspended as mud in a subsurface ocean before it froze, or whether they would agglomerate and sink. If Ceres and other similar carbonaceous bodies accreted from a mix of ice, chondrules and fines, then the very early stages of ice melting should have caused embedded fines to sink, unless: (1) fines formed a stable colloidal dispersion and remained suspended indefinitely, as has been assumed in thermal models; or (2) convective or other turbulent forces were strong enough from the very beginning to counteract the gravitational settling of aggregates, or later convective forces were strong enough to shear particles off the ocean bottom and re-entrain them. Here we specifically examine (1) using a set of laboratory experiments. Materials and Methods: We prepared micronsized mineral fines using a RETSCH® PM100 Planetary Ball Mill. Milling was performed using zirconialined grinding jars and 3 mm zirconia media, and particle size distributions were measured using a Cilas 1190 particle size analyzer (Fig. 1). Based on the elemental composition of CM and CI chondrite matrices, we backed out an anhydrous “precursor” mineralogy meant to represent the intial accreted fines that eventually became chondritic matrix (Table 1). The milled minerals were mixed in the appropriate ratio, and to test progressive aqueous alteration we can mix increasing amounts of micron-sized serpentine with this anhydrous mixture.
Real objects in fictional situations: an argument for i-desires as indispensable states

In order to account for our engagements with fiction, several philosophers have recently introduced a class of novel mental states which they have designated as ‘i-desires’ or ‘desire-like imaginings’. Others argue against this claim by denying the existence of i-desire. In this article, I argue that genuine desires fail to make sense of our attitudes towards real objects in fictional situations, and that i-desire is psychologically indispensable in explaining our attitudes in such cases.
3 rd Amino Acid Workshop Amino Acid Adequacy in Pathophysiological States 1 , 2

Amino acid utilization and, therefore, demand differ between the healthy state and various disease states. In the healthy state most circulating amino acids are derived from dietary proteins that are stored and broken down in the gut and released gradually into the portal circulation, and from continuous turnover of body protein. In disease states, the amino acid composition of amino acids derived from periferal protein breakdown and released in the circulation, is different, for example because a substantial part of the branched-chain amino acids is broken down to yield glutamine and alanine, which are released in the circulation. It appears to be advantageous to mimic this continuous autoinfusion in patients, dependent of parenteral of enteral tube feeding. In disease, different endpoints should be used to assess the adequacy of the administered amino acid mix. Maintenance of a positive nitrogen balance and growth is less important than support of wound healing and immune function. Several amino acids such as glutamine, cysteine, and taurine are shown or suggested to be conditionally essential in disease, and to form substrate in the stressed patient for anabolic processes in liver, immune system, and injured sites. Amino acid toxicity is rare, and protein restriction for patients with renal or liver failure is obsolete because this only aggravated malnutrition. A true example of protein toxicity consists of gastrointestinal hemorrhage that precipitates hepatic encephalopathy in liver insufficiency, most likely because hemoglobin is an unbalanced protein because it lacks the essential amino acid isoleucine. J. Nutr. 134: 1575S–1582S, 2004.
False positive PET scan deserves attention.

PURPOSE Pulmonary focal lesions are frequently identified incidentally. Furthermore, a final diagnosis is really a considerable problem for patients having risk factors for malignancy or particularly for a newly detected nodule during the postoperative period after any kind of lung surgery. For treatment decisions, the nature of the lesions needs to be clarified. Relatively recently positron emission tomography (PET) scan has been introduced as a non-invasive imaging method for the diagnosis of lesions on the basis of metabolic activity. METHODS In this study 19 cases with false-positive nodules on PET scan are presented. Chest x-rays and thoracic computed tomographies (CT) were performed to all patients. Due to abnormal/suspicious lesions on radiologic imagies, PET scan was performed to these patients and high standard uptake values (SUV) above the cut-off value of 2.5 were suggestive of malignancy. Invasive procedures were performed to the patients with high suspicion of malignancy. RESULTS Histology of the resected lesions showed that all of them were benign and therefore the PET results were false-positive. The final diagnoses were tuberculosis, aspergilloma, bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP), sarcoidosis, sequestration, anthracosis and hamartoma. CONCLUSION Patients living especially in countries with a high incidence of granulomatous diseases like tuberculosis, or patients in postoperative periods with high SUV should be studied thoroughly for false-positive PET results.
Novel Graphene-Silicon Heterostructure Device with a Gate-Controlled Schottky Barrier

Although the Graphene-Silicon (Gr-Si) based configurations have received extensive attention in electronics and optoelectronics, sufficient on/off current ratio Ion / Ioff and new applications are still limited by conventional device structures. In this study, we show a new structure of vertical ambipolar barristors based on silicon-graphene-h-BN-graphene sandwich structure, which can be effectively modulated by the gate voltage for that the graphene is ambipolar. The bottom graphene acts as a gate-tunable “active contact” and the top graphene is used as the gate electrode with the help of the hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) as a transparent dielectric layer. Under the influence of the gate voltage, the Gr-Si configuration can be flexible modulated with an ON-OFF ratio exceeding 103. Besides, a normal photovoltaic properties of the devices has been characterized due to the application of its transparent two-dimensional materials. This unconventional Gr-Si configuration has a potential meaning for future electronics and optoelectronics based on graphene or other two-dimensional van der Waals heterostructures. Novel Graphene-Silicon Heterostructure Device with a Gate-Controlled Schottky Barrier Publication History: Received: November 22, 2017 Accepted: December 27, 2017 Published: December 29, 2017
ANALYSIS OF TWO-PHASE FLOWS IN PIPES AND SUBCHANNELS UNDER HIGH PRESSURE

A major goal of fuel assembly design is a reliable prediction of the critical heat flux. Development and validation of CFD methods for predicting two-phase flows and CHF conditions is subject of ongoing research at AREVA-NP. This paper deals with numerical modeling of subcooled flow boiling of water in pipes and subchannels at flow conditions corresponding to the range of pressurized water reactor operation conditions. As simulation tool the commercial CFD software StarCD is used in conjunction with its Extended Boiling Framework (EBF), a software package providing modeling tools for two-phase flow boiling. Substantial progress towards a CFD prediction of thermal hydraulic phenomena relevant for fuel assembly design could be achieved. In the future, modelling will be needed to be complemented by experimental validation data with sufficient local resolution, to validate CFD models for high pressure thermal hydraulic operating conditions.
Murine colon adenocarcinoma. Immunobiology of metastases

Orthotopic transplantation of MCA‐38 murine colonic tumor cells into the submucosa of the cecum results in the growth of a “primary” tumor that metastasizes to the liver. This model system parallels the sequence of events that can occur with human colon carcinoma and provides a means of evaluating the role of the immune system in hepatic metastases formation. Temporal studies of the specific antitumor response detected by a micro‐leukocyte adherence inhibition (LAI) assay revealed two patterns of sensitization as the “primary” tumor grew and hepatic metastases developed. The systemic antitumor response was monophasic and disappeared prior to the formation of hepatic metastases. In contrast, the local and regional antitumor response was biphasic. The breakdown in the local and regional response may play a permissive role in the formation of hepatic metastasis.
Case-control study suggests a favorable impact of TEL rearrangement in patients with B-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia treated with antimetabolite-based therapy: a Pediatric Oncology Group study.

TEL gene rearrangement is the most common genetic lesion in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), occurring in about 25% of B-lineage cases. We previously showed that, among patients treated on St Jude protocols, TEL rearrangement independently conferred an excellent prognosis. To extend these results to patients treated with antimetabolite-based therapy, we performed Southern blot analysis to determine the TEL gene status of 104 cases of B-lineage ALL treated on Pediatric Oncology Group 8602, matched on age, gender, and leukocyte count. There were 52 failures among the 77 patients with germline TEL, compared with only 8 failures among 27 patients in the rearranged group. Based on a two-sided logistic regression analysis, stratified for age (subdivided at 10 years), leukocyte count (subdivided at 50,000), and gender, the estimated odds of failing by 4 years in the germline TEL group is 5.4 times that of the rearranged TEL group, with 95% confidence from 1.9 to 15.6, two-sided P = . 0009. Thus, the presence of a rearranged TEL gene is also associated with an improved survival among patients treated with antimetabolite-based therapy. Our results indicate that all newly diagnosed ALL patients should be screened for TEL gene rearrangements and suggest that these patients are candidates for less intensive therapy.
Factors influencing the behavior of auctioneers operating in public procurement by Barreira do Inferno Launching Center ( CLBI )

This article aims to analyze the preponderant factors influencing the behavior of auctioneers working for the Barreira do Inferno Launching Center (CLBI) in electronic purchasing processes. The research used references from the theory of purchasing, analyzing organizational and motivational aspects, as well as aspects related to knowledge and abilities. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews with auctioneers. As a result, it was possible to identify that the main factors influencing the auctioneer’s behavior at CLBI were the lack of recognition of the strategic importance of their role, lack of exclusive dedication and specialization.
Quality of life in European patients with Addison's disease: validity of the disease-specific questionnaire AddiQoL.

CONTEXT Patients with Addison's disease (AD) self-report impairment in specific dimensions on well-being questionnaires. An AD-specific quality-of-life questionnaire (AddiQoL) was developed to aid evaluation of patients. OBJECTIVE We aimed to translate and determine construct validity, reliability, and concurrent validity of the AddiQoL questionnaire. METHODS After translation, the final versions were tested in AD patients from Norway (n = 107), Sweden (n = 101), Italy (n = 165), Germany (n = 200), and Poland (n = 50). Construct validity was examined by exploratory factor analysis and Rasch analysis, aiming at unidimensionality and fit to the Rasch model. Reliability was determined by Cronbach's coefficient-α and Person separation index. Longitudinal reliability was tested by differential item functioning in stable patient subgroups. Concurrent validity was examined in Norwegian (n = 101) and Swedish (n = 107) patients. RESULTS Exploratory factor analysis and Rasch analysis identified six items with poor psychometric properties. The 30 remaining items fitted the Rasch model and proved unidimensional, supported by appropriate item and person fit residuals and a nonsignificant χ(2) probability. Crohnbach's α-coefficient 0.93 and Person separation index 0.86 indicate high reliability. Longitudinal reliability was excellent. Correlation with Short Form-36 and Psychological General Well-Being Index scores was high. A shorter subscale comprising eight items also proved valid and reliable. Testing of AddiQoL-30 in this large patient cohort showed significantly worse scores with increasing age and in women compared with men but no difference between patients with isolated AD and those with concomitant diseases. CONCLUSION The validation process resulted in a revised 30-item AddiQoL questionnaire and an eight-item AddiQoL short version with good psychometric properties and high reliability.
Mini-batch ready for training Dataset File 0 Dataset File 1 Dataset File i ... Read Buffer Shuffle Buffer Mapping Operation Fill Up Buffer Parsed Tensors Randomly Chose Output Batch Source Map Shuffle Batch Raw Element

Deep neural networks have recently gained tremendous interest due to their capabilities in a wide variety of application areas such as computer vision and speech recognition. Thus it is important to exploit the unprecedented power of leadership High-Performance Computing (HPC) systems for greater potential of deep learning. While much attention has been paid to leverage the latest processors and accelerators, I/O support also needs to keep up with the growth of computing power for deep neural networks. In this research, we introduce an entropy-aware I/O framework called DeepIO for large-scale deep learning on HPC systems. Its overarching goal is to coordinate the use of memory, communication, and I/O resources for efficient training of datasets. DeepIO features an I/O pipeline that utilizes several novel optimizations: RDMA (Remote Direct Memory Access)-assisted in-situ shuffling, input pipelining, and entropyaware opportunistic ordering. In addition, we design a portable storage interface to support efficient I/O on any underlying storage system. We have implemented DeepIO as a prototype for the popular TensorFlow framework and evaluated it on a variety of different storage systems. Our evaluation shows that DeepIO delivers significantly better performance than existing memory-based storage systems.
OPTIMIZING CALF GROWTH

Calves represent the future of the dairy enterprise. Like in any other business, a careful allocation of resources and planning is needed to ensure the production of a new line, new products, etc. The new product line of a dairy operation is the calf. Optimum calf growth should be that resulting in achieving the genetic potential for body frame and weight with (BW) the least resources (time, nutrition, management) and with minimal health issues.
Dose accuracy of a durable insulin pen with memory function, before and after simulated lifetime use and under stress conditions

Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess the dose accuracy of NovoPen® 5 in delivering low, medium and high doses of insulin before and after simulated lifetime use. A secondary objective was to evaluate the durability of the pen and its memory function under various stress conditions designed to simulate conditions that may be encountered in everyday use of an insulin pen. Research design and methods: All testing was conducted according to International Organization for Standardization guideline 11608-1, 2000 for pen injectors. Dose accuracy was measured for the delivery of 1 unit (U) (10 mg), 30 U (300 mg) and 60 U (600 mg) test medium in standard, cool and hot conditions and before and after simulated lifetime use. Dose accuracy was also tested after preconditioning in dry heat storage; cold storage; damp cyclical heat; shock, bump and vibration; free fall and after electrostatic charge and radiated field test. Memory function was tested under all temperature and physical conditions. Results: NovoPen 5 maintained dosing accuracy and memory function at minimum, medium and maximum doses in standard, cool and hot conditions, stress tests and simulated lifetime use. The pens remained intact and retained dosing accuracy and a working memory function at all doses after exposure to variations in temperature and after physical challenge. Conclusions: NovoPen 5 was accurate at all doses tested and under various functionality tests. Its durable design ensured that the dose accuracy and memory function were retained under conditions of stress likely to be encountered in everyday use.
Clinical and Echocardiographic Determinants of Long-Term Survival After Surgical Myectomy in Obstructive Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Background—Surgical myectomy has been the standard treatment for patients with drug-refractory obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The clinical and echocardiographic predictors of long-term survival and freedom from cardiovascular morbidity after myectomy have been unclear. Methods and Results—We studied a consecutive cohort of 338 adult patients (age at operation 47±14 [range 18 to 77] years, 60% male) who underwent myectomy at our institution. Preoperative resting left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) gradient was 66±32 mm Hg (range 5 to 158 mm Hg). Early postoperative mortality was 1.5% (5 deaths): 4 deaths occurred between 1978 and 1992, and 1 death occurred between 1993 and 2002. During long-term follow-up, 83% of patients reported an improvement to functional class I or II. The majority of patients (98%) had no resting LVOT gradient. Long-term survival was excellent, with 98±1% survival at 1 year, 95±1% at 5 years, and 83±3% at 10 years after myectomy. Multivariable Cox regression analysis identified 5 predictors of overall mortality: (1) age ≥50 years at surgery (hazard ratio [HR] 2.8, 95% CI 1.5 to 5.1, P=0.001), (2) female gender (HR 2.5, 95% CI 1.5 to 4.3, P=0.0009), (3) history of preoperative atrial fibrillation (HR 2.2, 95% CI 1.2 to 4.0, P=0.008), (4) concomitant CABG (HR 3.7, 95% CI 1.7 to 8.2, P=0.001), and (5) preoperative left atrial diameter ≥46 mm (HR 2.9, 95% CI 1.6 to 5.4, P=0.0008). Significant predictors of late major cardiovascular events found on multivariable analysis were (1) female gender (HR 3.3, 95% CI 2.0 to 5.4, P<0.0001), (2) history of preoperative atrial fibrillation (HR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1 to 3.3, P=0.02), and (3) preoperative left atrial diameter ≥46 mm (HR 2.5, 95% CI 1.5 to 4.3, P=0.0008). Conclusions—Myectomy provides excellent relief for LVOT obstruction in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Preoperative clinical and echocardiographic variables can predict long-term outcome after myectomy.
Effectiveness of Sonohysterography in Infertile Patient Work-Up: A Comparison with Transvaginal Ultrasonography and Hysteroscopy

Objective: The aim of this comparative study was to evaluate the accuracy of transvaginal ultrasonography (TVU), sonohysterography (SHG) with sterile saline solution compared to hysteroscopy in the diagnosis of intrauterine pathology in a population of infertile patients before an in vitro fertilization (IVF) program. Patients/Methods: 98 infertile patients with a mean age of 33.9 years (range 27–41) underwent TVU assessment and SHG with sterile saline solution immediately followed by hysteroscopy. Results: The clinical findings obtained by TVU, SHG and hysteroscopy were compared. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of TVU and SHG compared to hysteroscopy were calculated. The TVU sensitivity and specificity compared with hysteroscopy were 91 and 83% respectively. Using TVU, a 9.2% false positive rate (9 cases) and a 5.1% false negative rate (5 cases) were detected compared to hysteroscopy. The TVU PPV and NPV were 85.4 and 90% respectively. SHG yielded better results: sensitivity and specificity when compared to hysteroscopy were 98 and 94% respectively. The SHG PPV and NPV were 95 and 98% respectively. Accuracy of SHG was significantly better than TVU considering all intrauterine pathologies and polyps. Conclusion: In experienced hands, SHG is an easy, safe, and well-tolerated alternative to diagnostic hysteroscopy in the initial evaluation of uterine cavity infertile patients.