gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Robust Eye Center Localization through Face Alignment and Invariant Isocentric Patterns (2015)

The localization of eye centers is a very useful cue for numerous applications like face recognition, facial expression recognition, and the early screening of neurological pathologies. Several methods relying on available light for accurate eye-center localization have been exploited. However, despite the considerable improvements that eye-center localization systems have undergone in recent years, only few of these developments deal with the challenges posed by the profile (non-frontal face). In this paper, we first use the explicit shape regression method to obtain the rough location of the eye centers. Because this method extracts global information from the human face, it is robust against any changes in the eye region. We exploit this robustness and utilize it as a constraint. To locate the eye centers accurately, we employ isophote curvature features, the accuracy of which has been demonstrated in a previous study. By applying these features, we obtain a series of eye-center locations which are candidates for the actual position of the eye-center. Among these locations, the estimated locations which minimize the reconstruction error between the two methods mentioned above are taken as the closest approximation for the eye centers locations. Therefore, we combine explicit shape regression and isophote curvature feature analysis to achieve robustness and accuracy, respectively. In practical experiments, we use BioID and FERET datasets to test our approach to obtaining an accurate eye-center location while retaining robustness against changes in scale and pose. In addition, we apply our method to non-frontal faces to test its robustness and accuracy, which are essential in gaze estimation but have seldom been mentioned in previous works. Through extensive experimentation, we show that the proposed method can achieve a significant improvement in accuracy and robustness over state-of-the-art techniques, with our method ranking second in terms of accuracy. According to our implementation on a PC with a Xeon 2.5Ghz CPU, the frame rate of the eye tracking process can achieve 38 Hz.
Zinc Finger Proteins as Designer Transcription Factors (2000)

Recent progress in the design and selection of novel zinc finger proteins with desired DNA binding specificities now allows construction of tailor-made DNA-binding proteins that specifically recognize almost any predetermined DNA sequence. Such novel or "designer" zinc finger proteins with desired DNA binding specificities can serve as efficient transcription factors in various mammalian cell lines. In addition, they may be broadly useful in the regulation of endogenous genes in transgenic organisms and eventually in gene therapy applications. In this report, we use a series of transient and stable transfection experiments to demonstrate that the expression of a target gene can be controlled by changing the in vivo concentration of designer zinc finger proteins in a dose-dependent manner. We also report that designer zinc finger proteins can access their binding sites integrated into the genome and function as potent transcription factors. Our results suggest that designer zinc finger transcription factors that specifically recognize appropriate sites in the promoter of a target gene may have broad applications in the post-genomic era.
Pulse-driven dual-rail logic gate family based on rapid single-flux-quantum (RSFQ) devices for asynchronous circuits (2002)

We present a pulse-driven asynchronous logic gate family based on a high-speed, low-power Josephson-junction device of rapid single-flux-quantum (RSFQ) circuits. Dual-rail logic is used and clock-free operation is realized. The proper operation of the circuits is confirmed by the numerical simulation which shows logic delays are about 60 ps for an AND and about 80 ps for an XOR. Power consumption is estimated to be 10 /spl mu/W/gate.
Somatic mutation in single human neurons tracks developmental and transcriptional history (2015)

Neurons live for decades in a postmitotic state, their genomes susceptible to DNA damage. Here we survey the landscape of somatic single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) in the human brain. We identified thousands of somatic SNVs by single-cell sequencing of 36 neurons from the cerebral cortex of three normal individuals. Unlike germline and cancer SNVs, which are often caused by errors in DNA replication, neuronal mutations appear to reflect damage during active transcription. Somatic mutations create nested lineage trees, allowing them to be dated relative to developmental landmarks and revealing a polyclonal architecture of the human cerebral cortex. Thus, somatic mutations in the brain represent a durable and ongoing record of neuronal life history, from development through postmitotic function.
Potential of adenovirus‐mediated REIC/Dkk‐3 gene therapy for use in the treatment of pancreatic cancer (2013)

Ad-REIC induces apoptosis and inhibits tumor growth in pancreatic cancer cell lines. REIC/Dkk-3 gene therapy is an attractive therapeutic tool for pancreatic cancer.
Redox Signaling in Cancer Biology (2006)

Over the last three decades, it is has become increasing clear that intracellular signaling pathways are activated via changes in intracellular metabolic oxidation/reduction (redox) reactions involving reactive oxygen species (ROS; i.e., superoxide and hydrogen peroxide). The initial proposals hypothesized that signaling through metabolic oxidation/reduction (redox) reactions involving ROS could contribute to carcinogenesis and progression to malignancy. Strong evidence for this hypothesis was obtained from studies showing that environmental insults (i.e., ionizing radiation) as well as xenobiotics (i.e., polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and phorbol esters) capable of inducing steady-state increases in free radical production and ROS could act as both initiators and promoters of carcinogenesis. This Forum is directed at understanding possible redox signaling mechanisms governing cellular radiation response, tumor growth, and response to therapy, as well as the role of nitric oxide in cancer biology.
Antineoplastic agents 360. Synthesis and cancer cell growth inhibitory studies of dolastatin 15 structural modifications. (1998)

Dolastatin 15 (1), a potent antineoplastic constituent of the Indian Ocean shell-less mollusk Dolabella auricularia, was utilized as the lead substance for a series of structure-activity studies. The synthetic methods, in vitro evaluations against a variety of murine and human cancer cell lines, as well as a selection of bacteria and fungi, and inhibition of tubulin polymerization are described. Remarkably, all of the compounds studied, in which the C-terminal (S)-dolapyrrolidinone unit (Dpy) was replaced with a series of structurally diverse and more readily available amides, showed cancer cell growth inhibition activities generally quite comparable to those of the parent molecule (1). All analogues, however, were less potent than 1 as inhibitors of tubulin polymerization. The structurally modified peptides, like the parent compound, caused mitotic arrest in cultured cells, consistent with tubulin being the primary cellular target. The ability of dolastatin 15 and eight modifications or precursors thereof to inhibit the growth of a Gram-negative bacterium suggests that these compounds have an additional target distinct from tubulin.
On the mechanical response of carbon nanotube array laminated composite materials (2010)

The mechanical response of a nanoreinforced laminated composite (NRLC) with interspersed carbon nanotube arrays between the laminae under interlaminar shear, in-plane tensile, and out-of-plane compressive quasi-static loading was determined in an experimental study. It is revealed that the interlaminar shear and tensile properties of the NRLC are strongly dependent on the height of the carbon nanotube array. The highest mechanical properties are obtained for the NRLC with the shortest arrays. The interlaminar shear and in-plane tensile elastic properties of the NRLC increase up to 87% and decrease 16% with respect to those of the laminated composites without the arrays, respectively. The deformation mechanisms of the carbon nanotube array layer were also studied through simultaneous out-of-plane compression loading and optical or electron microscopy imaging. It is shown that the array layer toughens the laminated composite and that the carbon nanotubes bridge the cracks in the interlaminar interfaces.
TKI-31 inhibits angiogenesis by combined suppression signaling pathway of VEGFR2 and PDGFRbeta (2006)

Tyrosine kinases have been strongly implicated as therapeutic targets that influence the angiogenic process in growing tumors. In this study, we revealed that TKI-31 is a potent broad spectrum tyrosine kinase inhibitor, which inhibits vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2), platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta (PDGFRbeta) and also inhibits kinases of other class, such as c-Kit and c-Src on molecular base, but showed no activity against vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (VEGFR1) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). TKI-31 inhibits VEGF-induced phosphorylation of VEGFR2 in endothelial cells as well as PDGF(BB)-induced phosphorylation in fibroblast cells, and leading to the inhibition of down-stream signaling triggered by these receptors such as PI3K/Akt/mTOR, MAPK42/44(ERK) and paxillin. TKI-31 also inhibited VEGF-induced endothelial cells proliferation, migration and their differentiation into capillary-like tube formation. Its anti-angiogenic property was further confirmed by the inhibition of neovascularization on CAM, in vivo. These results collectively highlight the therapeutic potential of this compound for the treatment of solid tumors and other diseases where angiogenesis plays an important role.
Expression and function of LFA-1 on A-NK and T-LAK cells: role in tumor target killing and migration into tumor tissue. (1997)

To study the role of the adhesion molecule lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1 (LFA-1) in lymphokine-activated natural killer (A-NK) and mitogen-stimulated lymphokine-activated T killer (T-LAK) cell function, we evaluated the correlation between LFA-1 expression, as well as conjugate formation and cytotoxicity. Furthermore, the role of LFA-1 in the extravascular phase of migration of A-NK and T-LAK cells into B16 tumor tissue in vivo was studied. We demonstrate an 8-fold increased LFA-1 expression on 4-day-old A-NK and T-LAK cells compared to unstimulated spleen cells. Moreover, we demonstrate that while LFA-1 expression on T-LAK cells was strictly correlated to conjugate formation and cytotoxic capacity, A-NK cells showed a less clear correlation between LFA-1 expression and these functions. Interestingly, anti-CD11a alone did not inhibit cytotoxicity, anti-CD18 alone did only inhibit cytotoxicity moderately (25%) whereas anti-CD11a and anti-CD18 in combination almost abrogated cytotoxicity against tumor targets P815 and YAC-1. Finally we demonstrate that pre-incubation of T-LAK cells with anti-bodies to CD11a and CD18 in combination inhibited their migration into the B16 tumors by more than 50-60%. In contrast, this pretreatment did not inhibit A-NK cell migration. This difference could not be explained by differences between A-NK and T-LAK cells with respect to LFA-1 expression, turnover of antibody-receptor complexes or complement-mediated lysis induced by the anti-LFA-1 antibodies. We conclude that T-LAK cell binding to and lysis of tumor target cells and migration into the intercellular space of tumors depend strongly on the expression of LFA-1. In contrast, LFA-1 expression of A-NK cells showed a less clear correlation to these functions.
Coronal and Root Caries in the Dentition of Adults in the United States, 1988–1991 (1996)

Dental public health policy planning requires accurate and current information about the extent of caries in the United States population. These data are available from the caries examination from Phase 1 of the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which found that 94% of adults in the United States show evidence of past or present coronal caries. Among the dentate, the mean number of decayed and filled coronal surfaces per person was 21.5. Dentate females had a lower number of untreated coronal tooth surfaces with caries (1.5), but a higher mean number of treated and untreated surfaces per person (22.7) than males, with scores of 2.1 and 20.2, respectively. Estimates for race-ethnicity groups were standarized by age and gender to control for population differences among them. Dentate non-Hispanic blacks (11.9) and Mexican-Americans (14.1) had half the number of decayed and filled coronal surfaces as non-Hispanic whites (24.3), but more untreated surfaces (non-Hispanic whites, 1.5; non-Hispanic blacks, 3.4; Mexican-Americans, 2.8). Mexican-Americans were most likely to be dentate, had the highest average number of teeth, and had 25% fewer decayed, missing, and filled coronal surfaces (37.6) than non-Hispanic blacks (49.2) and non-Hispanic whites (51.0). Root caries affected 22.5% of the dentate population. Blacks had the most treated and untreated root surfaces with caries (1.6), close to the value for Mexican-Americans (1.4). The score for non-Hispanic whites was 1.1. Untreated root caries is most common in dentate non-Hispanic blacks (1.5), followed by Mexican-Americans (1.2), with non-Hispanic whites (0.6) having the fewest untreated carious root surfaces. Race-ethnicity groups were disparate with respect to dental caries; effort is needed to treat active caries common in some population subgroups.
The Design of Scaffolds for Use in Tissue Engineering. Part II. Rapid Prototyping Techniques (2002)

Tissue engineering (TE) is an important emerging area in biomedical engineering for creating biological alternatives for harvested tissues, implants, and prostheses. In TE, a highly porous artificial extracellular matrix or scaffold is required to accommodate mammalian cells and guide their growth and tissue regeneration in three-dimension (3D). However, existing 3D scaffolds for TE proved less than ideal for actual applications because they lack mechanical strength, interconnected channels, and controlled porosity or pores distribution. In this paper, the authors review the application and advancement of rapid prototyping (RP) techniques in the design and creation of synthetic scaffolds for use in TE. We also review the advantages and benefits, and limitations and shortcomings of current RP techniques as well as the future direction of RP development in TE scaffold fabrication.
Strategies and new aspects in the pharmacology of drugs for the treatment of senile dementia (1988)

Abstract Rational therapeutic strategies can be derived only from an understanding of the etiopathogenetic processes leading to dysfunction in the demented brain. Senile dementias (SD) of different origins are associated with biochemical changes in functionally important transmission systems, in energy metabolism, and in synthesis of macromolecules. Much evidence supports a particularly important role of dysfunction in central cholinergic mechanisms. Recent results have furnished encouraging indications that changes in synaptic efficiency and plasticity are integrated to a considerable degree. At present, the pharmacological manipulation of clinical symptoms and impaired functions is the basis for rational strategies in the development of drugs for the treatment of SD. On the basis of present knowledge, the following strategies can be considered: (1) drugs to prevent underlying etiopathogenetic processes (antioxidants, aluminium chelating agents, etc.); (2) enhancers of cerebral neurotransmission; (3) cerebral metabolic enhancers (nootropics and related drugs); (4) modulators of synaptic efficiency and plasticity; (5) nooanaleptics; (6) regulators of cerebral circulation; and (7) symptomatic therapy of associated functional mental disorders. The improvement of neuronal metabolism and synaptic transmission are presently the most important strategies in drug development. Nootropics and related drugs fulfill two aspects in the pharmacotherapy of SD: they are cerebral metabolic enhancers and they improve cerebral synaptic transmission processes. In eight of these functions, the relationship between lipid metabolism and cellular Ca ++ homeostasis also may be of special functional importance. For the development of further strategies, more detailed knowledge about the pathogenesis of SD and further experimental modeling of the etiopathogenetic and neuropathological processes underlying SD of different origins are required.
Electrochemistry in Deep Eutectic Solvents (2007)

We report the cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry, and scanning electrochemical microscopy of ferrocene dissolved in deep eutectic solvents (DES), consisting of choline chloride (ChCl) and either trifluoroacetamide (TFA) or malonic acid as the hydrogen-bond donor. Despite the use of ultramicroelectrodes, which were required due to the modest conductivities of the DES employed, linear diffusion behavior was observed in cyclic voltammetric experiments. The high viscosity of 1:2 ChCl/TFA relative to non-aqueous electrochemical solvents leads to a low diffusion coefficient, 2.7 x 10(-8) cm2 s(-1) for ferrocene in this medium. Because of the difficulties in achieving steady-state conditions, SECM approach curves were tip velocity dependent. Under certain conditions, SECM approach curves to an insulating substrate displayed a positive-feedback response. Satisfactory simulation of this unexpected behavior was obtained by including convection terms into the mass transport equations typically used for SECM theory. The observance of positive-feedback behavior at an insulating substrate can be described in terms of a dimensionless parameter, the Peclet number, which is the ratio of the convective and diffusive timescales. Fitting insulator approach curves of ferrocene in 1:2 ChCl/TFA shows an apparent increase in the diffusion coefficient with increasing tip velocity, which can be explained by DES behaving as a shear thinning non-Newtonian fluid.
Compendium of 4,941 rumen metagenome-assembled genomes for rumen microbiome biology and enzyme discovery (2019)

Ruminants provide essential nutrition for billions of people worldwide. The rumen is a specialized stomach that is adapted to the breakdown of plant-derived complex polysaccharides. The genomes of the rumen microbiota encode thousands of enzymes adapted to digestion of the plant matter that dominates the ruminant diet. We assembled 4,941 rumen microbial metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) using approximately 6.5 terabases of short- and long-read sequence data from 283 ruminant cattle. We present a genome-resolved metagenomics workflow that enabled assembly of bacterial and archaeal genomes that were at least 80% complete. Of note, we obtained three single-contig, whole-chromosome assemblies of rumen bacteria, two of which represent previously unknown rumen species, assembled from long-read data. Using our rumen genome collection we predicted and annotated a large set of rumen proteins. Our set of rumen MAGs increases the rate of mapping of rumen metagenomic sequencing reads from 15% to 50-70%. These genomic and protein resources will enable a better understanding of the structure and functions of the rumen microbiota.
Phylloplane bacteria increase seedling emergence, growth and yield of field-grown groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) (2005)

Identification of phylloplane bacteria as effective plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) broadens the spectrum of PGPR available for field application.
Memory CD4 T cell-derived IL-2 synergizes with viral infection to exacerbate lung inflammation (2019)

Defining the most penetrating correlates of protective memory T cells is key for designing improved vaccines and T cell therapies. Here, we evaluate how interleukin (IL-2) production by memory CD4 T cells, a widely held indicator of their protective potential, impacts immune responses against murine influenza A virus (IAV). Unexpectedly, we show that IL-2-deficient memory CD4 T cells are more effective on a per cell basis at combating IAV than wild-type memory cells that produce IL-2. Improved outcomes orchestrated by IL-2-deficient cells include reduced weight loss and improved respiratory function that correlate with reduced levels of a broad array of inflammatory factors in the infected lung. Blocking CD70-CD27 signals to reduce CD4 T cell IL-2 production tempers the inflammation induced by wild-type memory CD4 T cells and improves the outcome of IAV infection in vaccinated mice. Finally, we show that IL-2 administration drives rapid and extremely potent lung inflammation involving NK cells, which can synergize with sublethal IAV infection to promote acute death. These results suggest that IL-2 production is not necessarily an indicator of protective CD4 T cells, and that the lung environment is particularly sensitive to IL-2-induced inflammation during viral infection.
The contribution of astrocytes to the 18F-2-deoxyglucose signal in PET activation studies. (1996)

With the development of functional brain imaging techniques such as Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) it has become possible to visualize brain areas that are activated by a variety of sensory, motor or cognitive tasks. This technological progress has permitted a kind of in vivo functional neuroanatomy which has led to the identification of neural circuits subserving specific brain functions. Metabolic processes linked to neuronal activity--such as blood flow, glucose utilization and oxygen consumption--provide the signals detected with most functional brain-imaging techniques. These metabolic indices have been examined in a variety of psychiatric and neurological disorders. This article focuses on the use of (18F)fluoro-2-deoxyglucose (FDG)-PET in the study of psychiatric disorders; it is mainly intended to bring a novel perspective, based on recent experimental data, on the cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie the FDG-based PET imaging. These new observations point to a critical role of a particular glial cell type, the astrocyte, in coupling neuronal activity to glucose utilization. Indeed it appears that in response to glutamate released by active neurons, glucose is predominantly taken up by specialized astrocytic processes, the end-feet, which surround brain capillaries; glucose is then metabolized to lactate, which provides a preferred energy substrate for neurons. These data support the notion that astrocytes markedly contribute to the FDG-PET signal. This perspective may also provide renewed insights for the interpretation of FDG-PET studies in psychiatric disorders.