Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An effective method for operations placement in Tensor Flow

Recent works in deep learning have shown that large neural networks can dramatically improve performance, followed by is the growth of computational requirements for hardware. To address those requirements, a common approach is to train those models on heterogeneous systems with a mixture of hardware devices such as CPUs and GPUs. Normally, the decision of putting parts of neural networks on devices is made by researchers based on heuristics algorithm. In this paper, we introduce an effective method to optimize operations placement for TensorFlow computational graphs on heterogeneous systems by using deep neural networks to predict devices for each operation in a target computational graph. Based on reinforcement learning, our method learns to group operations and assign each group to a corresponding device. To take advantage of the information of operations, we use a fully-connected network to group operations. In addition, we use the actual running time of the predictive placement as rewards to train the predictive network by using policy gradients. By executing the most widely used models in computer vision and machine translation, our method finds an optimized placement which outperforms human experts. When applying our method to the Neural Machine Translation model on the WMT14 German-English dataset, the execution time of per single training step reduces up to 28.41%.
Role ambiguity and economic hardship as the moderators of the relation between abusive supervision and job burnout: An Application of uncertainty management theory

Abstract Based on uncertainty management theory (Lind & Van den Bos, 2002; Van den Bos & Lind, 2002), we explored whether uncertainty in the workplace (role ambiguity) as well as off the workplace (economic hardship) moderates the relationship between abusive supervision and subordinates’ job burnout. Using survey method, we obtained 458 valid responses from employees in a transportation company in Taiwan. The results of moderated hierarchical regression showed that both role ambiguity and economic hardship induce the positive relationship between abusive supervision and subordinates’ job burnout. Abusive supervision related more strongly to job burnout when subordinates perceived higher role ambiguity (higher uncertainty) or higher economic hardship (higher uncertainty). As predicted, high uncertainty increases subordinates’ attentions to the injustice from abusive supervision and thus strengthens the negative psychological consequences of abusive supervision, regardless of whether the source of uncertainty corresponds to the source of (in)justice perception.
Tumor Imaging Using Radiolabeled Matrix Metalloproteinase–Activated Anthrax Proteins

Increased activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) is associated with worse prognosis in different cancer types. The wild-type protective antigen (PA-WT) of the binary anthrax lethal toxin was modified to form a pore in cell membranes only when cleaved by MMPs (to form PA-L1). Anthrax lethal factor (LF) is then able to translocate through these pores. Here, we used a 111In-radiolabeled form of LF with the PA/LF system for noninvasive in vivo imaging of MMP activity in tumor tissue by SPECT. Methods: MMP-mediated activation of PA-L1 was correlated to anthrax receptor expression and MMP activity in a panel of cancer cells (HT1080, MDA-MB-231, B8484, and MCF7). Uptake of 111In-radiolabeled PA-L1, 111In-PA-WTK563C, or 111In-LFE687A (a catalytically inactive LF mutant) in tumor and normal tissues was measured using SPECT/CT imaging in vivo. Results: Activation of PA-L1 in vitro correlated with anthrax receptor expression and MMP activity (HT1080 > MDA-MB-231 > B8484 > MCF7). PA-L1–mediated delivery of 111In-LFE687A was demonstrated and was corroborated using confocal microscopy with fluorescently labeled LFE687A. Uptake was blocked by the broad-spectrum MMP inhibitor GM6001. In vivo imaging showed selective accumulation of 111In-PA-L1 in MDA-MB-231 tumor xenografts (5.7 ± 0.9 percentage injected dose [%ID]/g) at 3 h after intravenous administration. 111In-LFE687A was selectively delivered to MMP-positive MDA-MB-231 tumor tissue by MMP-activatable PA-L1 (5.98 ± 0.62 %ID/g) but not by furin-cleavable PA-WT (1.05 ± 0.21 %ID/g) or a noncleavable PA variant control, PA-U7 (2.74 ± 0.24 %ID/g). Conclusion: Taken together, our results indicate that radiolabeled forms of mutated anthrax lethal toxin hold promise for noninvasive imaging of MMP activity in tumor tissue.
Memory Centric Characterization and Analysis of SPEC CPU2017 Suite

In this paper, we provide a comprehensive, memory-centric characterization of the SPEC CPU2017 benchmark suite, using a number of mechanisms including dynamic binary instrumentation, measurements on native hardware using hardware performance counters and operating system based tools. We present a number of results including working set sizes, memory capacity consumption and memory bandwidth utilization of various workloads. Our experiments reveal that, on the x86_64 ISA, SPEC CPU2017 workloads execute a significant number of memory related instructions, with approximately 50% of all dynamic instructions requiring memory accesses. We also show that there is a large variation in the memory footprint and bandwidth utilization profiles of the entire suite, with some benchmarks using as much as 16 GB of main memory and up to 2.3 GB/s of memory bandwidth. We perform instruction distribution analysis of the benchmark suite and find that the average instruction count for SPEC CPU2017 workloads is an order of magnitude higher than SPEC CPU2006 ones. In addition, we also find that FP benchmarks of the suite have higher compute requirements: on average, FP workloads execute three times the number of compute operations as compared to INT workloads.
Planetary Marching Cubes: A Marching Cubes Algorithm for Spherical Space

There is a growing interest in digital games with user-generated content. Games with user-generated content usually involve terrain editing and marching cubes is a popular algorithm that permits a dynamic terrain. On the other hand, there is also growing interest in games with a planetary theme. Hence, a question is asked on whether can marching cubes be used to generate a planetary terrain. This study investigates how to adopt the marching cubes algorithm in a spherical space, specifically, for generating a planetary terrain. The result is the proposed planetary marching cubes, which compared to previous methods, could generate more complex terrain features while retaining smooth surfaces.
Interobserver Agreement Between Primary Sonographers and Secondary Overreaders for Screening and Surveillance Liver Ultrasounds Using Ultrasound Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System

Abstract The authors aim to identify if primary sonographers and secondary reviewers, both radiologists and sonographers, are likely to assign the same Ultrasound Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (US LI-RADS) scores for liver surveillance ultrasounds. Institutional review board approval was obtained. Sonographers were familiarized with US LI-RADS via radiologist-led lectures. Three sonographers prospectively scored 170 screening examinations using US LI-RADS recommendations. Scans were retrospectively rescored by a fourth sonographer and a radiologist, both of whom were blinded to the original scores. Results were analyzed with weighted and nonweighted Cohen kappa statistical analysis methods. There was near-perfect agreement between primary and secondary sonographers and primary sonographer and radiologist (kappa of 0.87 and 0.92, respectively) for US LI-RADS category (cat) scores. However, only substantial and moderate agreements were noted for visualization (vis) scores between primary and secondary sonographers and primary sonographer and radiologist (weighted kappa of 0.73 and 0.48, respectively). There was vis score disagreement between the primary sonographer and radiologist in 60 (35.3%) cases. In 35 (20%) cases, the radiologist assigned a lower/more conservative vis score. There was vis score disagreement between the primary and secondary reviewing sonographers in 30 (17.6%) cases. In 12 (7%) cases, the secondary sonographer assigned a more conservative vis score. Although a good degree of concordance was noted between the groups, radiologists will need to generate their own US LI-RADS scoring to accurately reflect their impression and appropriately steer management.
Propriedades da fibrina rica em plaquetas (PRF) aplicada a cirurgia oral - protocolo Choukroun

O desenvolvimento de aditivos cirurgicos bioativos para regular a inflamacao e aumentar a velocidade do processo de cicatrizacao e um dos grandes desafios da pesquisa clinica. Pois em procedimentos cirurgicos muitas vezes utilizavam tecnicas que, na maioria das vezes, eram bem invasivas e causavam desconforto ao paciente. Nesse sentido, a fibrina rica em plaquetas (PRF) surge como uma alternativa natural, viavel e bastante satisfatoria com resultados favoraveis e apresentando baixos riscos. O PRF (Fibrina Rica em Plaquetas) foi desenvolvido por Choukroun para uso em cirurgia oral e maxilofacial, e tem diversas areas de aplicacao dentro da odontologia, podendo citar o aumento osseo na implantodontia, levantamento de seio maxilar, transplante alveolar, cirurgia periodontal estetica, dentre outros. A revisao a seguir trata-se de um estudo de revisao de literatura sobre a propriedades da fibrina rica em plaquetas (PRF) aplicada a cirurgia oral-protocolo choukroun, com base em 24 artigos selecionados de 40 artigos pesquisados enfocando na sua preparacao, vantagens e desvantagens de usa-lo em aplicacoes clinicas, especialmente seu uso na cirurgia oral.
Are the Breaks Breaking Down?

Altered Hippocampal Interneuron Activity Precedes Ictal Onset Miri ML, Vinck M, Pant R, Cardin JA. Elife. 2018;7. pii: e40750. doi:10.7554/eLife.40750. Although failure of GABAergic inhibition is a commonly hypothesized mechanism underlying seizure disorders, the series of events that precipitates a rapid shift from healthy to ictal activity remains unclear. Furthermore, the diversity of inhibitory interneuron populations poses a challenge for understanding local circuit interactions during seizure initiation. Using a combined optogenetic and electrophysiological approach, we examined the activity of identified mouse hippocampal interneuron classes during chemoconvulsant seizure induction in vivo. Surprisingly, synaptic inhibition from parvalbumin-(PV) and somatostatin-expressing (SST) interneurons remained intact throughout the preictal period and early ictal phase. However, these 2 sources of inhibition exhibited cell type–specific differences in their preictal firing patterns and sensitivity to input. Our findings suggest that the onset of ictal activity is not associated with loss of firing by these interneurons or a failure of synaptic inhibition but is instead linked with disruptions of the respective roles these interneurons play in the hippocampal circuit.
Cutaneous mantle cell lymphoma histomorphologically mimicking subcutaneous panniculitis‐like T‐cell lymphoma: Case report

Secondary cutaneous involvement by mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), an uncommon aggressive B‐cell malignancy, predominantly involves the dermis, with few reports of pannicular involvement. Lymphocytic infiltration of subcutaneous tissue is associated with inflammatory panniculitides and certain T‐cell lymphomas, primarily subcutaneous panniculitis‐like T‐Cell lymphoma (SPTCL), which is characterized by rimming of adipocytes by tumor cells. We report the case of a 69‐year‐old man with a history of systemic nodal MCL who presented with subcutaneous nodules on his lower extremities after receiving multi‐agent chemotherapy. Biopsies showed a dense infiltrate of atypical, mitotically active, monomorphic, medium‐sized lymphoid cells in the subcutaneous fat with prominent rimming of the adipocytes by the tumor cells. These features were not morphologically typical of MCL. Immunohistochemistry showed these cells to be CD20+, CD5+ B‐cells with strong cyclin D1 expression; fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis was positive for t(11;14)(q13;32), confirming the diagnosis of secondary cutaneous involvement of MCL. This represents an exceptional report of cutaneous MCL presenting clinically and histologically with a panniculitis‐type pattern and adipocyte rimming, histomorphologically mimicking SPTCL. Noteworthy examples, such as this report, support the practice of utilizing clinical correlation, immunohistochemistry, and/or molecular cytogenetics to confirm the diagnosis of any case suspicious for cutaneous lymphoma.
African blackwood (Dalbergia melanoxylon)‐induced occupational allergic contact dermatitis in a professional piccolo flautist

African blackwood (Dalbergia melanoxylon) also known as mpingo or grenadilla is a small dry climate African tree with grey bark and very dense red to black core wood. It is part of the genus Dalbergia and is distinct from ebony that involves many different species in the genus Diospyros. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Submacular cysticercosis

Ocular cysticercosis could involve subconjunctival space, anterior chamber, extraocular muscle, subretinal space, or vitreous. The presence of intraocular live cyst is a potential threat to visual acuity. The removal of the cyst in-toto is thus of importance to prevent inflammatory reaction and ocular damage. The presence of cysticercosis underneath the macula makes the management challenging. Herein, we describe the management of a submacular live cysticercus cyst with a good postoperative gain in visual acuity. Also, the swept-source optical coherence tomography changes are described.
The Role of Mitochondrial and Endoplasmic Reticulum Reactive Oxygen Species Production in Models of Perinatal Brain Injury.

Significance: Perinatal brain injury is caused by hypoxia-ischemia (HI) in term neonates, perinatal arterial stroke, and infection/inflammation leading to devastating long-term neurodevelopmental deficits. Therapeutic hypothermia is the only currently available treatment but is not successful in more than 50% of term neonates suffering from hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. Thus, there is an urgent unmet need for alternative or adjunct therapies. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are important for physiological signaling, however, their overproduction/accumulation from mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) during HI aggravate cell death. Recent Advances and Critical Issues: Mechanisms underlying ER stress-associated ROS production have been primarily elucidated using either non-neuronal cells or adult neurodegenerative experimental models. Findings from mature brain cannot be simply transferred to the immature brain. Therefore, age-specific studies investigating ER stress modulators may help investigate ER stress-associated ROS pathways in the immature brain. New therapeutics such as mitochondrial site-specific ROS inhibitors that selectively inhibit superoxide (O2•-)/hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production are currently being developed. Future Directions: Because ER stress and oxidative stress accentuate each other, a combinatorial therapy utilizing both antioxidants and ER stress inhibitors may prove to be more protective against perinatal brain injury. Moreover, multiple relevant targets need to be identified for targeting ROS before they are formed. The role of organelle-specific ROS in brain repair needs investigation.
EEG-based connectivity in patients with partial seizures with and without generalization.

Background and purpose To investigate the neurophysiological basis of secondary generalization of partial epileptic seizures. Methods Inter-ictal, resting-state EEG functional connectivity (EEGfC) was evaluated and compared: patients with exclusively simple partial seizures (sp group) were compared to patients with simple partial and secondary generalized seizures (spsg group); patients with exclusively complex partial seizures (cp group) were compared to patients with cp and secondary generalized seizures (cpsg group); the collapsed sp+cp group (spcp) was compared to those who had exclusively secondary generalized seizures (sg group). EEGfC was computed from 21-channel waking EEG. 3 minutes of waking EEG background activity was analyzed by the LORETA Source Correlation (LSC) software. Current source density time series were computed for 23 pre-defined cortical regions (ROI) in each hemisphere, for the 1-25 Hz very narrow bands (1 Hz bandwidth). Thereafter Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated between all pairs of ROI time series in the same hemisphere. Z-scored correlation coefficients were compared at the group level (t-tests and correction for multiple comparisons by local false discovery rate, FDR). Results Statistically significant (corrected p<0.05) EEGfC differences emerged at specific frequencies (spsg > sg; cpsg > cp), and at many frequencies (sg > spcp). The findings indicated increased coupling between motor cortices and several non-motor areas in patients with partial and sg seizures as compared to patients with partial seizures and no sg seizures. Further findings suggested increased coupling between medial parietal-occipital areas (structural core of the cortex) and lateral hemispheric areas. Conclusion Increased inter-ictal EEGfC is associated with habitual occurrence of secondary generalized seizures.
Emerging roles of allosteric modulators in the regulation of protein‐protein interactions (PPIs): A new paradigm for PPI drug discovery

Protein‐protein interactions (PPIs) are closely implicated in various types of cellular activities and are thus pivotal to health and disease states. Given their fundamental roles in a wide range of biological processes, the modulation of PPIs has enormous potential in drug discovery. However, owing to the general properties of large, flat, and featureless interfaces of PPIs, previous attempts have demonstrated that the generation of therapeutic agents targeting PPI interfaces is challenging, rendering them almost “undruggable” for decades. To date, rapid progress in chemical and structural biology techniques has promoted the exploitation of allostery as a novel approach in drug discovery. By attaching to allosteric sites that are topologically and spatially distinct from PPI interfaces, allosteric modulators can achieve improved physiochemical properties. Thus, allosteric modulators may represent an alternative strategy to target intractable PPIs and have attracted intense pharmaceutical interest. In this review, we first briefly introduce the characteristics of PPIs and then present different approaches for investigating PPIs, as well as the latest methods for modulating PPIs. Importantly, we comprehensively review the recent progress in the development of allosteric modulators to inhibit or stabilize PPIs. Finally, we conclude with future perspectives on the discovery of allosteric PPI modulators, especially the application of computational methods to aid in allosteric PPI drug discovery.
Hypercholesterolaemia increases the risk of high-turnover osteoporosis in men

As the incidence of osteoporosis (OP) and hypercholesterolaemia in men has increased, male OP has drawn more attention from clinicians worldwide. The present study sought to investigate the effects of cholesterol on male bone. Between July 2015 and October 2015, 216 men (aged ≥18 years) were recruited for this cross-sectional study. To test our clinical hypothesis, we designed two male animal models: Exogenous hypercholesterolaemia induced by a high-cholesterol diet (HCD) and endogenous hypercholesterolaemia induced by apolipoprotein E (ApoE) knockout. Finally, the direct effects of cholesterol on osteoblasts were observed in cell experiments. In our clinical studies, men with hypercholesterolaemia displayed a lower bone mineral density (BMD) and increased beta collagen cross-linking (beta-CTX) and type I anterior collagen amino terminal peptide (PINP) levels compared to those of the control subjects. Serum cholesterol levels were a significant independent predictor of BMD, beta-CTX and PINP and were negatively correlated with BMD and positively correlated with beta-CTX and PINP levels. Our animal experimental results validated our clinical results, as they also indicated that hypercholesterolaemia damages bone microstructure and reduces bone strength. Cholesterol directly increased osteoblast functional gene expression in vitro. Hypercholesterolaemia increases the risk of high-turnover osteoporosis in men at least in part by excessively promoting the activity of the remodelling pathway. In addition, hypercholesterolaemia damages the bone microstructure, resulting in osteopenia or OP and reduced bone strength, leading to a higher risk of fracture in men. We emphasize the importance of preventing and treating hypercholesterolaemia as well as monitoring bone metabolic markers and BMD in men with hypercholesterolemia for the effective prevention of bone loss and subsequent fracture. In addition, our findings provide a theoretical basis for the development of treatments for high cholesterol-induced osteoporosis in men.
Retest and treat: a review of national HIV retesting guidelines to inform elimination of mother‐to‐child HIV transmission (EMTCT) efforts

High maternal HIV incidence contributes substantially to mother‐to‐child HIV transmission (MTCT) in some settings. Since 2006, HIV retesting during the third trimester and breastfeeding has been recommended by the World Health Organization in higher prevalence (≥5%) settings to reduce MTCT. However, many countries lack clarity on when and how often to retest pregnant and postpartum women to optimize resources and service delivery. We reviewed and characterized national guidelines on maternal retesting based on timing and frequency.
Subjective ratings of cognitive and emotional functioning in patients with mild cognitive impairment and patients with subjective memory complaints but normal cognitive functioning

ABSTRACT In a retrospective chart review, 39 patients referred for a clinical neuropsychological examination were identified as showing either mild cognitive impairment of the amnestic type (MCI-A; N = 21) or subjective memory complaints but with normal memory function (SMC; N = 18). During the clinical interview, patients and informants were routinely asked to make subjective ratings regarding the patient’s cognitive and affective functioning in everyday life. The purpose of this study was to determine whether these two patient groups (and their informants) significantly differed in their subjective reports about level of cognitive and affective difficulties. It was predicted that SMC patients would report higher levels of cognitive and emotional dysfunction than MCI-A patients. It was further predicted that MCI-A patients would underreport cognitive difficulties (compared to informant reports); SMC patients would demonstrate the opposite pattern. Results supported these predictions and suggest that routine assessment of subjective experiences of patients in conjunction with informant ratings may aid clinical diagnosis, particularly when the primary complaint is a decline in memory.