Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Immune checkpoint inhibitors: a patent review (2010-2015)

ABSTRACT Introduction: Immune checkpoint inhibitors, like anti-PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies, are revolutionizing therapeutic concepts in the treatment of cancer. Said class of drugs will represent a multi-billion dollar market over the coming decade. Many companies have therefore developed important patent activities in the field. Areas covered: The present review gives an overview of the patent literature during the period 2010-2015 in the field of immune checkpoint inhibitors. In particular, the review presents a selection of international patent applications related to inhibitors of PD-1/PD-L1, CTLA-4, IDO, TIM3, LAG3, TIGIT, BTLA, VISTA, ICOS, KIRs and CD39. Expert opinion: Immune checkpoint inhibitors are now widely accepted as a key component of the therapeutic strategies in cancer. This fervent activity creates a maze of third-party patents that pose considerable risks for both newcomers and established companies. We can thus anticipate that the number of patent conflicts and disputes will increase in the near future. Treatments will involve combination therapy comprising at least one immune checkpoint inhibitor and companies will multiply patent filings in this field. Finally, we can expect that patents related to biomarkers that will render a patient eligible to a treatment with an immune checkpoint inhibitor will have tremendous commercial value.
An intelligent spectrum handover scheme for cognitive radio Ad hoc networks Using ANFIS With ANN

Cognitive radio networks (CRNs) consists of secondary user (SU) nodes that exploit the vacant spectrum of primary user (PU), opportunistically. In CRN, spectrum handover process (SHP) is an integral part and one of the most important tasks for functioning. SHP is initiated due to the unavailability of current channel and terminates after resumption of task with the selection of the best candidate channel. In this paper, we propose a multi-criterion satisfying scheme that utilizes artificial neural network (ANN) based prediction model for initiation of SHP and adaptive network fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) for selection of next channel. We evaluate SHP cost function that takes SHP initiation decision intelligently. Selection of next channel is done on the basis of channel advantage which comprises of factors such as vacant duration of channel, data rate and signal to interference noise ratio. Simulation results shows that the algorithm reduces number of handovers due to intelligent SHP initiation decision and increases throughput due to selection of channel with highest channel advantage.
Infrared thermography as a tool to detect hoof lesions in sheep

Abstract Lameness has a major negative impact on sheep production. The objective of this study was to 1) quantify the repeatability of sheep hoof temperatures estimated using infrared thermography (IRT); 2) determine the relationship between ambient temperature, sheep hoof temperature, and sheep hoof health status; and 3) validate the use of IRT to detect infection in sheep hooves. Three experiments (a repeatability, exploratory, and validation experiment) were conducted over 10 distinct nonconsecutive days. In the repeatability experiment, 30 replicate thermal images were captured from each of the front and back hooves of nine ewes on a single day. In the exploratory experiment, hoof lesion scores, locomotion scores, and hoof thermal images were recorded every day from the same cohort of 18 healthy ewes in addition to a group of lame ewes, which ranged from one to nine ewes on each day. Hoof lesion and locomotion scores were blindly recorded by three independent operators. In the validation experiment, all of the same procedures from the exploratory experiment were applied to a new cohort of 40 ewes across 2 d. The maximum and average temperature of each hoof was extracted from the thermal images. Repeatability of IRT measurements was assessed by partitioning the variance because of ewe and error using mixed models. The relationship between ambient temperature, hoof temperature, and hoof health status was quantified using mixed models. The percentage of hooves correctly classified as healthy (i.e., specificity) and infected (i.e., sensitivity) was calculated for a range of temperature thresholds. Results showed that a small-to-moderate proportion of the IRT-estimated temperature variability in a given hoof was due to error (1.6% to 20.7%). A large temperature difference (8.5 °C) between healthy and infected hooves was also detected. The maximum temperature of infected hooves was unaffected by ambient temperature (P > 0.05), whereas the temperature of healthy hooves was associated with ambient temperature. The best sensitivity (92%) and specificity (91%) results in the exploratory experiment were observed when infected hooves were defined as having a maximum hoof temperature ≥9 °C above the average of the five coldest hooves in the flock on that day. When the same threshold was applied to the validation dataset, a sensitivity of 77% and specificity of 78% was achieved, indicating that IRT could have the potential to detect infection in sheep hooves.
Counterpoint: Exploring Mixed-Scale Gesture Interaction for AR Applications

This paper presents ongoing work on a design exploration for mixed-scale gestures, which interleave microgestures with larger gestures for computer interaction. We describe three prototype applications that show various facets of this multi-dimensional design space. These applications portray various tasks on a Hololens Augmented Reality display, using different combinations of wearable sensors. Future work toward expanding the design space and exploration is discussed, along with plans toward evaluation of mixed-scale gesture design.
An Approach to Subsumption in a DL with Implication

Designing a DL system poses the problem of the trade-off between power of expression and complexity. In spite of their rich expressive capacity, the or and not constructors are usually avoided because of the intractability of the resulting subsomption algorithm. So is implication. However, implication may constitute an interesting compromise between expressive power and tractability. We present an approach to the treatment of implication in the Osiris system, for mono-valued attributes with enumerated domains. It is based on the partitioning of each attribute’s domain by the predicates on this attribute, and it has been implemented in a prototype version of the Osiris system.
A long-lasting oral preformulation of the angiotensin II AT1 receptor antagonist losartan

Abstract Losartan (Los), a non-peptidic orally active agent, reduces arterial pressure through specific and selective blockade of angiotensin II receptor AT1. However, this widely used AT1 antagonist presents low bioavailability and needs once or twice a day dosage. In order to improve its bioavailability, we used the host: guest strategy based on β-cyclodextrin (βCD). The results suggest that Los included in βCD showed a typical pulsatile release pattern after oral administration to rats, with increasing the levels of plasma of Los. In addition, the inclusion compound presented oral efficacy for 72 h, in contrast to Los alone, which shows antagonist effect for only 6 h. In transgenic (mREN2)L27 rats, the Los/βCD complex reduced blood pressure for about 6 d, whereas Los alone reduced blood pressure for only 2 d. More importantly, using this host: guest strategy, sustained release of Los for over a week via the oral route can be achieved without the need for encapsulation in a polymeric carrier. The proposed preformulation increased the efficacy reducing the dose or spacing between each dose intake.
Music Performance As an Experimental Approach to Hyperscanning Studies

Humans are fundamentally social and tend to create emergent organizations when interacting with each other; from dyads to families, small groups, large groups, societies, and civilizations. The study of the neuronal substrate of human social behavior is currently gaining momentum in the young field of social neuroscience. Hyperscanning is a neuroimaging technique by which we can study two or more brains simultaneously while participants interact with each other. The aim of this article is to discuss several factors that we deem important in designing hyperscanning experiments. We first review hyperscanning studies performed by means of electroencephalography (EEG) that have been relying on a continuous interaction paradigm. Then, we provide arguments for favoring ecological paradigms, for studying the emotional component of social interactions and for performing longitudinal studies, the last two aspects being largely neglected so far in the hyperscanning literature despite their paramount importance in social sciences. Based on these premises, we argue that music performance is a suitable experimental setting for hyperscanning and that for such studies EEG is an appropriate choice as neuroimaging modality.
Designing an Object-based Preproduction Tool for Multiscreen TV Viewing

Multiscreen TV viewing refers to a spectrum of media productions that can be watched using TV and companion screens such as smartphones and tablets. In the last several years, companies are creating companion applications to enrich the TV viewing experience, but viewers are demotivated to consume them because they have to download dozens of second screen applications. This paper proposes to integrate the creation of companion screen content in a single object-based preproduction tool. It identifies, from the perspective of TV production professionals, the best paradigm and the needed features to support content authoring for multiscreen viewing experiences.
Thermal transport in carbon materials: Effect of low temperature and nanostructures

To realize their potential applications in electronic, energy, environmental and medical devices, new nanostructured carbon materials have been synthesized and studied. In this work, the excellent thermal properties of four typical new nanostructured carbon materials including graphene foam, graphene aerogels, graphene paper with different reduction level, and carbon nanotube bundles have been studied in detail by using phonon scattering mechanisms analysis. The effect of low temperature, different nanostructures and thermal strain are the focus. Specifically, for the first time, the defect level in graphene foam is identified by evaluating the thermal reffusivity at the 0 K limit. The ideal thermal diffusivity and conductivity () of graphene presented in the 3D graphene foam structure in the range of 33299 K is also reported and discussed. We synthesized ultra-light graphene aerogels material, although its density is about two times higher than air, its  at room temperature is about 80% lower than that of air. At low temperatures, its  even reaches a lower level of 2×10 -4×10 W m K, which is the lowest  ever reported. The mechanism of this extremely low  is explored by studying the temperature variation of , α, and specific heat (cp) from RT to as low as 10.4 K. A high  switch-on phenomenon in high-purity graphene paper when its temperature is reduced from RT to 10 K is investigated and reported. The switch-on behavior is attributed to the thermal expansion mismatch among pure graphene flakes and the impurities embedded flakes. By conducting comparison studies with pyrolytic graphite, graphene oxide paper and partly-reduced graphene paper, the whole physical pictures are illustrated clearly. The sequential process of current-induced thermal annealing on improving the structure, electrical and thermal conductivity of CVD grown CNTs is studied for the first time. By
Murine Binder of SPerm Homolog 2 (BSPH2): The Black Sheep of the BSP Superfamily1

ABSTRACT Proteins of the Binder of SPerm superfamily are known to bind choline phospholipids on sperm membrane and promote sperm capacitation. The current study focuses on the biochemical and functional characterization of the murine Binder of SPerm homolog 2 (BSPH2). A recombinant protein (rec-BSPH2) was expressed in Escherichia coli Rosetta-gami B (DE3)pLysS cells using pET32a vector. It was purified by immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography and refolded on column using a decreasing urea gradient. Rec-BSPH2 was found to share some binding characteristics with other BSP proteins, such as binding to gelatin, heparin, and epididymal sperm. Rec-BSPH2 as well as murine recombinant BSPH1 were found to have different immunofluorescence patterns when bound to uncapacitated versus capacitated sperm, indicating a rearrangement of these proteins on sperm surface during or following capacitation. Surprisingly, rec-BSPH2 was unable to bind phosphorylcholine liposomes or promote sperm capacitation. It is the first time that such results are reported for proteins of the BSP family. The results indicate that murine BSPH1 and BSPH2 might not have redundant functions, as is the case with bovine BSPs. This study could lead to a better understanding of the role of BSP proteins in sperm functions and the existence of redundant BSP proteins in the reproductive tract.
Erosion-Corrosion of Carbon Steel in Complex Flow Geometries in Oil & Gas CO2 Environments

When sand is present in carbon dioxide (CO2) corrosion environments in oil and gas pipe flow, wear rates of carbon steel pipelines can be severe. This wear mechanism is known as erosion-corrosion and consists of erosion and corrosion components, with degradation enhanced by interactions between the mechanisms. A lack of understanding of erosion-corrosion of carbon steel and the mechanisms contributing to enhanced degradation through erosion and corrosion interactions exists. Erosion-corrosion of carbon steel in CO2 conditions was the subject of investigation in this work. A submerged impinging jet (SIJ) was used to complete a case study of erosion-corrosion degradation of X65 carbon steel in field conditions at high flow velocities up to 20 m/s in a 60°C, pH 4.7, 2 wt. % NaCl solution containing up to 1000 mg/L of sand particles with an average diameter of 250 µm. High degradation rates, some in excess of 25 mm/yr, were measured and whilst corrosion inhibitors added to protect the X65 surface did reduce corrosion rates, they did not reduce erosion degradation, resulting in degradation rates remaining greater than 10 mm/yr in the most severe conditions evaluated. An investigation into the mechanisms of erosion-corrosion interactions revealed that work-hardened layers were thick and more refined on samples subject to erosion conditions compared with samples used in erosion-corrosion tests. This was explained by removal of the work-hardened layers, formed after particle impacts, through electrochemical dissolution, resulting in corrosion-enhanced erosion, which accounted for up to 20% of overall erosion-corrosion degradation at a flow velocity of 20 m/s in a 60°C, CO2-saturared solution containing 1000 mg/L of sand. Erosion-enhanced corrosion was shown not to be significant in the conditions tested. Flow geometry was also shown to have a significant influence on the erosion-corrosion degradation rates. A 90° elbow was designed to evaluate erosion-corrosion in pipe flow, CO2-saturated, pH 4 conditions at a flow velocity of 6 m/s that showed small erosion contributions to erosion-corrosion degradation on the outer radius of the elbow, with flow induced corrosion accounting for the majority of degradation. To fully understand erosion-corrosion conditions in both flow geometries, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was used to predict mass transfer coefficients and sand particle trajectories in the flow. Predictions were used to define the erosion mechanisms in the different geometries and to explain why degradation rates could vary significantly between different flow geometries.
Supercritical CO2 extrusion – novel technology in food industry

Nowadays extrusion is an important process in food industry due to the HTST (High Temperature Short Time) effect that is applied in many processes. It is used to produce a wide variety of products, from modified starch and flours, over pasta and meat products, to snack and confectionary products. Although it is considered to be an HTST process, it still may result in the formation of acrylamide and other compounds potentially harmful for human health. To overcome this issue, extrusion assisted with supercritical CO2 has been introduced, opening the possibility to obtain products of retained quality at lower temperatures. The aim of this paper is to give a short overview of research on extrusion with supercritical CO2 and address some issues related to it.
Do Cytochrome P450 Enzymes Contribute to the Metabolism of Xenobiotics in Human

The cytochromes P450 (CYP) comprise a large multigene family of hemethiolate proteins which are of considerable importance in the metabolism of xenobiotics and endobiotics. CYP enzymes in humans as well as in other species have been intensively studied during recent years (Pelkonen et al., 2008; Turpeinen et al., 2007). It is possible to characterize metabolic reactions and routes, metabolic interactions, and to assign which CYP is involved in the metabolism of a certain xenobiotic by different in vitro approaches (Pelkonen et al., 2005; Pelkonen & Raunio, 2005; Hodgson and Rose, 2007a). Risk assessment needs reliable scientific information and one source of information is the characterization of the metabolic fate and toxicokinetics of compounds. Toxicokinetics refers to the movement of a xenobiotic into, through, and out of the body and is divided into several processes including absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME). Metabolism is one of the most important factors that can affect the overall toxic profile of a pesticide. During metabolism, the chemical is first biotransformed by phase I enzymes, usually by the cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzyme system, and then conjugated to a more soluble and excretable form by phase II conjugating enzyme systems (Guengerich & Shimada, 1991). In general, these enzymatic reactions are beneficial in that they help eliminate foreign compounds. Sometimes, however, these enzymes transform an otherwise harmless substance into a reactive form – a phenomenon known as metabolic activation (Guengerich & Shimada, 1991). Exposure to pesticides is a global challenge to risk assessment (Alavanja et al., 2004; Maroni et al., 2006). On a world-wide basis, acute pesticide poisoning is an important cause of morbidity and mortality. In an extrapolation, WHO/UNEP estimated that more than 3 million people were hospitalized for pesticide poisoning every year and that 220 000 died; it particularly noted that two-thirds of hospitalizations and the majority of deaths were attributable to intentional self-poisoning rather than to occupational or accidental poisoning (Konradsen et al., 2005; WHO/UNEP, 1990). Humans are inevitably exposed to pesticides in a variety of ways: at different dose levels and for varying periods of time (Boobis et al., 2008; Ellenhorns et al., 1997).
Adaptive Team Coordination

It is hypothesized that highly effective teams adapt to stressful situations by using effective coordination strategies. Such teams draw on shared mental models of the situation and the task environment as well as mutual mental models of interacting team members' tasks and abilities to shift to modes of implicit coordination, and thereby reduce coordination overhead. To test this hypothesis, we developed and implemented a team-training procedure designed to train teams to adapt by shifting from explicit to implicit modes of coordination and choosing strategies that are appropriate during periods of high stress and workload conditions. Results showed that the adaptation training significantly improved performance from pre- to posttraining and when compared with a control group. Results also showed that several underlying team process measures exhibited patterns indicating that adaptive training improved various team processes, including efficient use of mental models, which in turn improved performance. The implication of these findings for team adaptive training is discussed. This research spawned the adaptive architectures for a command and control project investigating adaptive models that focus on changes in the structural and process architecture of large organizations. The research also produced a cadre of integrated performance assessment tools that have been used in training and diagnostic settings, and new components for a team training package focused on effective coordination in high-performance teams.
What is the impact of a rapid diagnostic E-test in the treatment of patients with Gram-negative bacteraemia?

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the influence of a rapid diagnostic test (RDT) in antibiotic therapeutic decisions in non-paediatric patients with Gram-negative bacteraemia (GNB). Patients and methods: A RDT consisting of a direct antibiogram was used on blood isolates of GNB. GNB were also identified and sensitivity tests were performed according to standard criteria. Information on empirical treatment was registered (T1), as well as the antibiotic administered once the results of the RDT were available (T2). Finally, we noted the ideal antibiotic that the infectious diseases specialist (IDS) would have prescribed (T3). The decision regarding T2 was always taken by the patient's physician or the physician on duty. Results: A RDT was performed for 248 patients. The most frequently isolated bacterium was Escherichia coli (13% producing extended-spectrum beta-lactamase). T1 was considered appropriate in 74% and appropriate but optimizable in 43%. T2 was considered appropriate in 95%, appropriate but optimizable in 36%, and inappropriate in 5%. The cost of the optimizable treatment (T2) was € 2210, while the cost of the ideal treatment would have been € 416; the saving in antibiotic cost of 1 day of treatment would have been € 1694. Conclusions: Treatment prescribed by a non-IDS after a RDT was inappropriate in 5% and optimizable in 36%. It is our recommendation that information provided by a RDT should be interpreted by an IDS to make the information more beneficial both economically and ‘ecologically’.
Maternal birthweight is associated with subsequent risk of vitamin D deficiency in early pregnancy.

BACKGROUND Maternal low birthweight and vitamin D deficiency in pregnancy are associated with a similar spectrum of adverse pregnancy outcomes including pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes. However, the relationship between maternal birthweight and subsequent vitamin D concentrations in early pregnancy is largely unknown. METHODS We assessed whether self-reported maternal birthweight was associated with risk of early pregnancy vitamin D deficiency (≤20 ng/mL) among a pregnancy cohort (n = 658). Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] was measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectroscopy. RESULTS Adjusting for maternal characteristics and month of blood draw, a 100-g higher maternal birthweight was associated with a 5.7% decreased risk of early pregnancy 25(OH)D deficiency [odds ratio (OR) = 0.94; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.90, 0.99]. Low-birthweight (<2500 g) women were 3.7 times as likely to have early pregnancy 25(OH)D deficiency compared with normal-birthweight women [OR = 3.69; 95% CI 1.63, 8.34]. These relationships were not modified by either pre-pregnancy overweight status [body mass index (BMI) ≥25 kg/m(2)] or adulthood weight trajectory (BMI change ≥2 kg/m(2) from age 18 to pre-pregnancy). CONCLUSIONS Further research on shared developmental mechanisms that determine birthweight and vitamin D homeostasis may help identify targets and related preventative measures for adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes.