gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Isolated corticotropin deficiency in chronic alcoholism (2000)

Three patients who chronically abused alcohol were found to be hyponatraemic with normal plasma potassium. The first had been admitted with confusion and weight loss, the second with hypotension and sepsis, and the third with confusion and hypoglycaemia-induced seizures. All three patients had a subnormal cortisol response in the short synacthen test; however, the plasma cortisol after three days of tetracosactrin administration was greater than 550 nmol/L. Baseline corticotropin levels were less than 10 pg/mL in all three. No structural lesions of the hypothalamo-pituitary tract were found and there was no evidence of other endocrinopathies. Glucocorticoid replacement therapy led to the resolution of hyponatraemia and hypoglycaemia, where present, and to clinical improvement. The two surviving patients remained hypocortisolaemic in the long term, without recurrence of hyponatraemia or hypoglycaemia. The features of isolated corticotropin deficiency are easily confused with other effects of chronic alcohol abuse. In alcoholic patients with unexplained hyponatraemia, hypoglycaemia or haemodynamic instability, a short tetracosactrin test is advisable.
Polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography of invasive basal cell carcinoma (2004)

Skin cancer is the most common human malignancy, with basal cell carcinoma (BCC) the most frequent type. Aggressive forms of BCC are associated with extensive dermal invasion and destruction of collagen. Surgery is the most common treatment, but identification of tumor borders is a challenge. Polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT) is an optical method to examine collagen birefringence. To date, it has not been exploited for cancer management. As part of a pilot exploratory study to examine the use of OCT in skin cancer, we examined several tumors that pose a challenge to the surgeon due to their large size and histological subtype. In normal perilesional skin, OCT identifies epidermal and dermal structure; PS-OCT identified dermal birefringence. In BCC, tumors lost normal structure and gained the appearance of lobular impressions. PS-OCT identified an alteration of dermal birefringence. Examination of a border area revealed a gradual transition from more normal appearing image to frank tumor. These results indicate that PS-OCT can identify features that distinguish normal skin from tumor and may have the potential to guide surgeons in the treatment of aggressive skin cancer.
Partial purification of an enzyme from Saccharomyces cerevisiae that cleaves Holliday junctions. (1985)

An enzyme from Saccharomyces cerevisiae that cleaves Holliday junctions was partially purified approximately 500- to 1000-fold by DEAE-cellulose chromatography, gel filtration on Sephacryl S300, and chromatography on single-stranded DNA-cellulose. The partially purified enzyme did not have any detectable nuclease activity when tested with single-stranded or double-stranded bacteriophage T7 substrate DNA and did not have detectable endonuclease activity when tested with bacteriophage M13 viral DNA or plasmid pBR322 covalently closed circular DNA. Analysis of the products of the cruciform cleavage reaction by electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gels under denaturing conditions revealed that the cruciform structure was cleaved at either of two sites present in the stem of the cruciform and was not cleaved at the end of the stem. The cruciform cleavage enzyme was able to cleave the Holliday junction present in bacteriophage G4 figure-8 molecules. Eighty percent of these Holliday junctions were cleaved in the proper orientation to generate intact chromosomes during genetic recombination.
Virtual Eyes Can Rearrange Your Body: Adaptation to Visual Displacement in See-Through, Head-Mounted Displays (1998)

Among the most critical issues in the design of immersive virtual environments are those that deal with the problem of technologically induced intersensory conflict and one of the results, sensorimotor adaptation. An experiment was conducted to support the design of a prototype see-through, head-mounted display (HMD). When wearing video see-through HMDs in augmented reality systems, subjects see the world around them through a pair of head-mounted video cameras. The study looked at the effects of sensory rearrangement caused by a HMD design that displaced the user's “virtual” eye position forward (165 mm) and above (62 mm) toward the spatial position of the cameras. The position of the cameras creates images of the world that are slightly downward and inward from normal. Measures of hand-eye coordination and speed on a manual pegboard task revealed substantial perceptual costs of the eye displacement initially, but also evidence of adaptation. Upon first wearing the video see-through HMD, subjects' pointing errors increased significantly along the spatial dimensions displaced (the y dimension, above-below the target, and z dimension, in front-behind the target). Speed of performance on the pegboard task decreased by 43% compared to baseline performance. Pointing accuracy improved by approximately 33% as subjects adapted to the sensory rearrangement, but it did not reach baseline performance. When subjects removed the see-through HMD, there was evidence that their hand-eye coordination had been altered. Negative aftereffects were observed in the form of greater errors in pointing accuracy compared to baseline. Although these aftereffects are temporary, the results may have serious practical implications for the use of video see-through HMDs by users (e.g., surgeons) who depend on very accurate hand-eye coordination.
A Novel Bulk Acoustic Wave Resonator for Filters and Sensors Applications (2015)

Bulk acoustic wave (BAW) resonators are widely applied in filters and gravimetric sensors for physical or biochemical sensing. In this work, a new architecture of BAW resonator is demonstrated, which introduces a pair of reflection layers onto the top of a thin film bulk acoustic resonator (FBAR) device. The new device can be transformed between type I and type II dispersions by varying the thicknesses of the reflection layers. A computational modeling is developed to fully investigate the acoustic waves and the dispersion types of the device theoretically. The novel structure makes it feasible to fabricate both type resonators in one filter, which offers an effective alternative to improve the pass band flatness in the filter. Additionally, this new device exhibits a high quality factor (Q) in the liquid, which opens a possibility for real time measurement in solutions with a superior limitation of detection (LOD) in sensor applications.
Frequency Estimation in Intradyne Reception (2007)

We report on an optical intradyne receiver experiment with frequency estimation. Frequency estimation allows, if performed prior to block phase estimation or other phase recovery techniques, for a much higher frequency difference between transmit laser and local oscillator laser. We demonstrate the feasibility of our approach in a 20-Gb/s quadrature phase-shift keying experiment
Fast and accurate automated cell boundary determination for fluorescence microscopy (2013)

Detailed measurement of cell phenotype information from digital fluorescence images has the potential to greatly advance biomedicine in various disciplines such as patient diagnostics or drug screening. Yet, the complexity of cell conformations presents a major barrier preventing effective determination of cell boundaries and introduces measurement error that propagates throughout subsequent assessment of cellular parameters and statistical analysis. State-of-the-art image segmentation techniques that require user-interaction, prolonged computation time and specialized training cannot adequately provide the support for high content platforms, which often sacrifice resolution to foster the speedy collection of massive amounts of cellular data. This work introduces a strategy that allows us to rapidly obtain accurate cell boundaries from digital fluorescent images in an automated format. Hence, this new method has broad applicability to promote biotechnology.
Proteasome inhibitor patents (2010 – present) (2014)

Although there are many diverse chemical scaffolds being published, there are few patented proteasome inhibitors whose method of inhibition is genuinely novel. Most patents utilize a destructive chemical warhead to attack the catalytic threonine residue of the proteasome active sites. Few patents try to depart from this, emphasizing the need for developing new mechanisms of action and specific targeting.
Antisense oligodeoxynucleotides to bax mRNA promote survival of rat sympathetic neurons in culture (1996)

Previous in vitro studies have shown that the presence of high levels of Bax protein accelerated the rate of cell death following growth factor deprivation and that the ratio of cell death repressor Bcl-2 to cell death effector Bax may determine the susceptibility to apoptosis. Both Bcl-2 and Bax protein expression has been detected in sympathetic neurons in vivo, and overexpression of bcl-2 in cultured sympathetic neurons prevented apoptosis after deprivation of nerve growth factor (NGF). In the present study, we investigated the expression of bax and bcl-2 in primary cultures of sympathetic neurons from rat superior cervical ganglia. Furthermore, we tested the effects of a partially phosphorothioated bax antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) on the survival of sympathetic neurons in cultures supplied with suboptimal concentrations of NGF (0.5 ng/ml). A constitutive expression of bax mRNA at high levels was detected by reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction which did not change significantly following NGF reduction or treatment with bax antisense ODN. A decrease in Bcl-2 immunoreactivity was observed by immunocytochemistry in tyrosine hydroxylase-positive neurons when cultured under suboptimal NGF concentrations, whereas Bcl-2 immunolabeled non-neuronal cells were not affected. Maximal number of neurons was obtained in control cultures containing 50 ng/ml of NGF. Few neurons survived in cultures grown in 0.5 ng/ml of NGF for 2 days (12.0 ± 1.5% of controls, mean ± SEM). Addition of two control ODNs at 1 μM had no effect on neuronal survival (10.1 ± 1.2% and 11.0 ± 1.3%, respectively), while the number of neurons was significantly increased in NGF-reduced cultures treated with a bax antisense ODNs (1 μM) (31.5 ± 1.9%). Administration of fluorescein-labeled ODNs demonstrated intracellular uptake into cultured neurons. Treatment with bax antisense ODNs caused a significant reduction of Bax protein levels in SCG neurons by 46 ± 2.6% as assessed by immunocytochemistry and digital image analysis. Taken together, our data demonstrate a constitutive expression of bax mRNA in sympathetic neurons suggesting that activation of bax expression may not be required for neuronal cell death after NGF withdrawal. After changing to suboptimal NGF concentrations, the cell-specific reduction in Bcl-2 immunoreactivity preceded morphological signs of degeneration indicating that growth factor starvation may down-regulate neuronal bcl-2 expression. Treatment with bax antisense ODNs indicated that suppression of Bax protein synthesis may promote neuronal survival in the threshold situation of insufficient trophic support. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The rev (trs/art) protein of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 affects viral mRNA and protein expression via a cis-acting sequence in the env region (1989)

The study of expression of several human immunodeficiency virus type 1 proviral mutants in human cells in the presence or absence of rev (trs/art) protein reveals that rev increases the levels of unspliced and env mRNA and the accumulated structural viral proteins. rev protein produced from appropriate expression vectors fully complements the rev-defective mutants. rev requires the presence of a specific cis-acting sequence for its function. This rev-responsive element sequence has been localized within a 520 base-pair fragment in the env region of human immunodeficiency virus type 1. gag and env expression is coordinately regulated by rev. Two independent cis-acting elements localized in the gag and env regions are responsible for the low levels of gag and env mRNA in the absence of rev. These elements are different than the rev-responsive element and act independent of each other.
Divergent activities of an engineered antibody in murine and human systems have implications for therapeutic antibodies (2006)

The MHC class I-related receptor, neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn), plays a central role in regulating the transport and in vivo persistence of immunoglobulin G (IgG). IgG-FcRn interactions can be targeted for engineering to modulate the in vivo longevity and transport of an antibody, and this has implications for the successful application of therapeutic IgGs. Although mice are widely used to preclinically test antibodies, human and mouse FcRn have significant differences in binding specificity. Here we show that an engineered human IgG1 has disparate properties in murine and human systems. The mutant shows improved transport relative to wild-type human IgG1 in assays of human FcRn function but has short in vivo persistence and competitively inhibits FcRn activity in mice. These studies indicate potential limitations of using mice as preclinical models for the analysis of engineered antibodies. Alternative assays are proposed that serve as indicators of the properties of IgGs in humans.
A Comparative Evaluation of Control Interfaces for a Robotic-Aided Endoscopic Capsule Platform (2011)

Wireless capsule endoscopy offers significant advantages compared with traditional endoscopic procedures, since it limits the invasiveness of gastrointestinal tract screening and diagnosis. Moreover, active locomotion devices would allow endoscopy to be performed in a totally controlled manner, avoiding failures in the correct visualization of pathologies. Previous works demonstrated that magnetic locomotion through a robotic-aided platform would allow us to reach this goal reliably. In this paper, the authors present a comparative evaluation of control methodologies and user interfaces for a robotic-aided magnetic platform for capsule endoscopy, controlled through human-robot cooperative and teleoperated control algorithms. A detailed statistical analysis of significant control parameters was performed: teleoperated control is the more reliable control approach, and a serial kinematic haptic device results as the most suitable control interface to perform effective robotic-aided endoscopic procedures.
Electron injection polymer for polymer light-emitting diodes (1995)

We report the use of an oxadiazole-containing polymer, poly(phenylene-1,3,4-oxadiazole- phenylene-hexafluoroisopropylidene) (PPOPH), as the electron injection layer in polymer light-emitting diodes. By introducing a PPOPH layer between the cathode (aluminum) and the luminescent polymer (poly(2-methoxy-5-(2′-ethyl-hexyloxy)-1,4-phenylene vinylene), the device performance was significantly improved; the quantum efficiency increased by a factor of 40, close to that of the same device using calcium as the cathode. By utilizing a porous polyaniline network electrode as the anode, the operating voltage was lowered by a factor of 2 with turn on at ∼5×105 V/cm.
Rapid induction and long-term self-renewal of primitive neural precursors from human embryonic stem cells by small molecule inhibitors (2011)

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) hold enormous promise for regenerative medicine. Typically, hESC-based applications would require their in vitro differentiation into a desirable homogenous cell population. A major challenge of the current hESC differentiation paradigm is the inability to effectively capture and, in the long-term, stably expand primitive lineage-specific stem/precursor cells that retain broad differentiation potential and, more importantly, developmental stage-specific differentiation propensity. Here, we report synergistic inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3), transforming growth factor β (TGF-β), and Notch signaling pathways by small molecules can efficiently convert monolayer cultured hESCs into homogenous primitive neuroepithelium within 1 wk under chemically defined condition. These primitive neuroepithelia can stably self-renew in the presence of leukemia inhibitory factor, GSK3 inhibitor (CHIR99021), and TGF-β receptor inhibitor (SB431542); retain high neurogenic potential and responsiveness to instructive neural patterning cues toward midbrain and hindbrain neuronal subtypes; and exhibit in vivo integration. Our work uniformly captures and maintains primitive neural stem cells from hESCs.
Molecular profiling of low grade serous ovarian tumours identifies novel candidate driver genes (2015)

Low grade serous ovarian tumours are a rare and under-characterised histological subtype of epithelial ovarian tumours, with little known of the molecular drivers and facilitators of tumorigenesis beyond classic oncogenic RAS/RAF mutations. With a move towards targeted therapies due to the chemoresistant nature of this subtype, it is pertinent to more fully characterise the genetic events driving this tumour type, some of which may influence response to therapy and/or development of drug resistance. We performed genome-wide high-resolution genomic copy number analysis (Affymetrix SNP6.0) and mutation hotspot screening (KRAS, BRAF, NRAS, HRAS, ERBB2 and TP53) to compare a large cohort of ovarian serous borderline tumours (SBTs, n = 57) with low grade serous carcinomas (LGSCs, n = 19). Whole exome sequencing was performed for 13 SBTs, nine LGSCs and one mixed low/high grade carcinoma. Copy number aberrations were detected in 61% (35/57) of SBTs, compared to 100% (19/19) of LGSCs. Oncogenic RAS/RAF/ERBB2 mutations were detected in 82.5% (47/57) of SBTs compared to 63% (12/19) of LGSCs, with NRAS mutations detected only in LGSC. Some copy number aberrations appeared to be enriched in LGSC, most significantly loss of 9p and homozygous deletions of the CDKN2A/2B locus. Exome sequencing identified BRAF, KRAS, NRAS, USP9X and EIF1AX as the most frequently mutated genes. We have identified markers of progression from borderline to LGSC and novel drivers of LGSC. USP9X and EIF1AX have both been linked to regulation of mTOR, suggesting that mTOR inhibitors may be a key companion treatment for targeted therapy trials of MEK and RAF inhibitors.
Synthesis, characterization, and properties of novel aromatic bispropenyl ethers (1984)

Abstract Aromatic bispropenyl ethers are a new class of highly reactive thermosetting monomers that have been prepared and characterized. Two synthetic routes to their preparation have been developed. The first of these involves the base‐catalyzed isomerization of bisallyl ether precursors that gives predominantly the Z bispropenyl ether isomers. The second method employs tris(triphenylphosphine)ruthenium(II) dichloride as an isomerization catalyst and produces predominantly the E isomers. Using these methods, a number of bispropenyl ether monomers containing different aromatic groups have been synthesized. The cationic polymerization of these novel monomers to give crosslinked network polymers using diaryliodonium salts as photo and thermal initiators has been studied.
“Click Chemistry” in the Preparation of Porous Polymer-Based Particulate Stationary Phases for μ-HPLC Separation of Peptides and Proteins (2006)

With the use of the copper(I)-catalyzed (3 + 2) azide-alkyne cycloaddition, an element of "click chemistry," stationary phases carrying long alkyl chains or soybean trypsin inhibitor have been prepared for use in HPLC separations in the reversed-phase and affinity modes, respectively. The ligands were attached via a triazole ring to size monodisperse porous beads containing either alkyne or azide pendant functionalities. Alkyne-containing beads prepared by direct copolymerization of propargyl acrylate with ethylene dimethacrylate were allowed to react with azidooctadecane to give a reversed-phase sorbent. Azide-functionalized beads were prepared by chemical modification of glycidyl methacrylate particles. Subsequent reaction with a terminal aliphatic alkyne produced a reversed-phase sorbent similar to that obtained from the alkyne beads. Soybean trypsin inhibitor was functionalized with N-(4-pentynoyloxy)succinimide to carry alkyne groups and then allowed to react with the azide-containing beads to produce an affinity sorbent for trypsin. The performance of these stationary phases was demonstrated with the HPLC separations of a variety of peptides and proteins.
Awas Tingni v. Nicaragua: A Landmark Case for the Inter-American System (2001)

History of the CaseThe Awas Tingni, an indigenous community of approximately 630 individuals, have occupied land on the Atlantic coast of Nicaragua for generations.The land the tribe occupies is rich in timber and other natural resources.Since the 1950s, the tribe has requested that the Nicaraguan government demarcate the lands belonging to the country's indigenous populations.Once the lands are defined and registered, the tribes would have title over the property and its natural resources.To date, Nicaragua has failed to demarcate these lands.On March 13, 1996, Nicaragua granted a 30-year timber-cutting license to the Korean company, Sol de Caribe S.A. (SOL-CARSA), permitting the exploitation of nearly 62,000 hectares (nearly 160,000 acres) of tropical forest belonging to the Awas Tingni community.The indigenous tribe was not consulted prior to the negotiation of the timber contract and vehemently opposed the intervention in their land.In order to save their land's resources, the Awas Tingni community presented a writ of amparo, a petition requesting the protection of recognized civil and political rights, to the Nicaraguan Supreme Court on November 12, 1996.The Supreme Court rejected the writ without explanation on February 27, 1997.The lengthy delay between the petition and the Supreme Court's decision violated Nicaraguan domestic law, which mandates that a writ of amparo be ruled upon within 45 days of submission.A second writ of amparo was presented in March 1997.This writ alleged that the government had failed to follow the required procedures for granting a license to deforest land occupied by indigenous peoples.The Nicaraguan Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Awas Tingni and declared the timber license void.This decision was based on the grounds that the government had failed to procure certain required signatures for the issuance of the timber license.As one of the requisite steps to issue a timber license, the government must consult local institutions, including indigenous populations, on the possible environmental and social effects the tree-cutting operation could have, and obtain the signatures of regional officials signifying the approval of the indigenous groups.The government of Nicaragua failed to make such consultations with the Awas Tingni, and to obtain the needed signatures before granting the license to SOLCARSA.Although the government was required by Nicaraguan law to comply with the Supreme Court's decision within 24 hours, it failed to take measures to end SOLCARSA's timber removal operations.
Energy consumption of telecommunication networks (2009)

The energy consumption of a telecommunication network increases, but at a reduced slope compared to the assumed traffic volume increase. The major energy consumption portion shifts from access to backbone networks with rising traffic volume.