gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Nonlinear Discriminant Feature Extraction for Robust Text-Independent Speaker Recognition (1998)

We study a nonlinear discriminant analysis (NLDA) technique that extracts a speaker-discriminant feature set. Our approach is to train a multilayer perceptron (MLP) to maximize the separation between speakers by nonlinearly projecting a large set of acoustic features (e.g., several frames) to a lower-dimensional feature set. The extracted features are optimized to discriminate between speakers and to be robust to mismatched training and testing conditions. We train the MLP on a development set and apply it to the training and testing utterances. Our results show that by combining the NLDA-based system with a state of the art cepstrum-based system we improve the speaker verification performance on the 1997 NIST Speaker Recognition Evaluation set by 15% in average compared with our cepstrum-only system. 1. INTRODUCTION Our goal is to extract and select features that are more invariant to non-speaker-related conditions such as handset type, sentence content, and channel effects. Such fe...
Chronically Elevated Luteinizing Hormone Depletes Primordial Follicles in the Mouse Ovary1 (1997)

A few years before reproductive senescence, primordial follicles are depleted from the ovary at a dramatically accelerated rate. It has been proposed that this depletion is due to transient increases in gonadotropin levels. To test this hypothesis, we used mice that produce chronically elevated levels of serum LH via expression of an LHbeta subunit transgene. Ovaries were collected from transgenic and control mice, and complete serial sections were prepared for histological examination. Each section was scanned for morphological abnormalities, and every fifth section was sampled to estimate the total number of primordial, primary, and large preantral follicles per ovary. Until 3 wk postpartum, ovaries from transgenic and control mice were morphologically similar. By 5 wk, control ovaries contained many healthy primordial, primary, and large preantral follicles as well as atretic follicles. Transgenic ovaries contained blood-filled cysts, misshapen granulosa cells, luteinized cells, and approximately 45% fewer primordial follicles than controls. By 3 mo, transgenic ovaries had about 68% fewer primordial follicles and 53% fewer primary follicles than controls. These results suggest that, in addition to having profound effects on growing follicles, chronically elevated LH levels deplete the primordial follicle pool and thus may hasten the onset of reproductive senescence.
Systematic Introduction of Proline in a Eukaryotic Signal Sequence Suggests Asymmetry within the Hydrophobic Core (1995)

The hydrophobic core or h region of both prokaryotic and eukaryotic signal sequences is the predominant structural domain that controls the efficiency of protein translocation across membranes. Characteristically, hydrophobic cores appear to assume alpha-helical conformations, and studies in prokaryotes have indicated that this conformation is necessary for efficient signal sequence function. To address the conformational constraints of a eukaryotic signal sequence, we have introduced a single proline in almost each position of the signal sequence hydrophobic core of glycoprotein C (gC) of the swine herpesvirus, pseudorabies virus. When the resulting mutant virus strains were used to infect cells, we found that substitution of proline at certain positions affected gC translocation greater than its introduction at other sites within the hydrophobic core. The observed positional effects did not completely correlate with reductions in overall hydrophobicity or linear position within the hydrophobic core. Rather, it appeared that one face of the gC signal sequence alpha-helix is far more sensitive to proline disruption than the other, potentially indicating a functional asymmetry.
Programmed Death 1 (PD-1) is involved in the development of proliferative diabetic retinopathy by mediating activation-induced apoptosis. (2015)

These results suggest that PD-1 is involved in the development of PDR by mediating activation-induced apoptosis.
Treating astigmatism at the time of cataract surgery (2002)

Correcting astigmatism at the time of cataract surgery can be accomplished either by incisional techniques, such as use of a cataract incision for flattening or astigmatic keratotomy, or by implanting a toric intraocular lens. Both methods can reduce mild to moderate astigmatism. For correcting larger amounts of astigmatism, a combination of techniques can produce greater correction. New methods of analyzing the change induced by surgery provide a more complete understanding of the astigmatic change.
An image database system with content capturing and fast image indexing abilities (1994)

While general object recognition is difficult, it is relatively easy to capture some primitive image properties such as color distribution, prominent regions and their geometrical properties from an image and use these features to narrow down the search space when attempts to retrieving images by contents from an image database are made. The authors are building an image database in which images are indexed by both the numerical index keys generated automatically from the captured primitive image features using a set of rules, and traditional descriptive keywords entered by users when images are loaded. Users can either use the descriptive keywords or provide information regarding these image properties to query and retrieve images from the database. With this approach, the authors turn the difficult problem of image matching into image retrieval by index keys, which can be performed easily and rapidly using current database techniques. Initial experiments on the image database system show promising performance.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">&gt;</ETX>
Coding Elements in Exons 2 and 3 Target c-myc mRNA Downregulation during Myogenic Differentiation (1997)

Downregulation in expression of the c-myc proto-oncogene is an early molecular event in differentiation of murine C2C12 myoblasts into multinucleated myotubes. During differentiation, levels of c-myc mRNA decrease 3- to 10-fold despite a lack of change in its transcription rate. To identify cis-acting elements that target c-myc mRNA for downregulation during myogenesis, we stably transfected C2C12 cells with mutant myc genes or chimeric genes in which various myc sequences were fused to the human beta-globin gene or to the bacterial chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) gene. Deletion of coding sequences from myc exon 2 or exon 3 abolished downregulation of myc mRNA during myogenic differentiation, while deletion of introns or sequences in the 5' or 3' untranslated regions (UTRs) did not, demonstrating that coding elements in both exons 2 and 3 are necessary for myc mRNA downregulation. Fusion of coding sequences from either myc exon 2 or 3 to beta-globin mRNA conferred downregulation onto the chimeric mRNA, while fusion of myc 3' UTR sequences or coding sequences from CAT or ribosomal protein L32 did not, demonstrating that coding elements in myc exons 2 and 3 specifically confer downregulation. These results present the apparent paradox that coding elements in either myc exon 2 or myc exon 3 are sufficient to confer downregulation onto beta-globin mRNA, but neither element alone was sufficient for myc mRNA downregulation, suggesting that some feature of beta-globin mRNA may potentiate the regulatory properties of myc exons 2 and 3. A similar regulatory function is not shared by all mRNAs because fusion of either myc exon 2 or myc exon 3 to CAT mRNA did not confer downregulation onto the chimeric mRNA, but fusion of the two elements together did. We conclude from these results that two myc regulatory elements, one exon 2 and one in exon 3, are required for myc mRNA downregulation. Finally, using a highly sensitive and specific PCR-based assay for comparing mRNA levels, we demonstrated that the downregulation mediated by myc exons 2 and 3 results in a decrease in cytoplasmic mRNA levels, but not nuclear mRNA levels, indicating that regulation is a postnuclear event.
Preparation of Fluorine Containing Isophthalic and Terephthalic Acids (1970)

熱的に安定なポリアミドあるいはポリエステル用のモノマーを見いだす目的で, いくつかの多フッ素化イソフタル酸あるいはテレフタル酸を合成した。すなわちジフルオル-, トリフルオル-, クロルポリフルオル- あるいはブロムポリフルオル- 安息香酸類を約2当量の n-ブチルリチウムを用いてリチウム化し, えられたフルオルリチオ安息香酸リチウムをカルボキシル化してつぎの化合物をえた。2,4-ジフルオルイソフタル酸 (2,4-ジフルオルまたは 3-ブロム-2,6-ジフルオル安息香酸より), 4,6-ジフルオルイソフタル酸 (5-ブロム-2,4-ジフルオル安息香酸より), 5-クロル-2,4,6 -トリフルオルイソフタル酸 (3,5-ジクロル-2,4,6-トリフルオル安息香酸より), 2,4,6 -トリフルオルイソフタル酸 (2,4,6-トリフルオル安息香酸より), 2,6-ジフルオルテレフタル酸 (3,5-ジフルオル安息香酸より), 2,5-ジフルオルテレフタル酸 (4-ブロム-2,5-ジフルオル安息香酸より)。これらポリフルオルベンゼンジカルボン酸類のジアミド類あるいはジメチルエステル類も合成した。
Activity and Safety of CTLA-4 Blockade Combined with Vaccines in Cynomolgus Macaques (2003)

The immune modulatory molecule CTLA-4 (CD152), through interactions with the B7 costimulatory molecules, has been shown to be a negative regulator of T cell activation in various murine model systems. Abs that block CTLA-4 function can enhance immune responses that mediate potent antitumor activity. However, CTLA-4 blockade can also exacerbate autoimmune disease. The safety and activity of anti-CTLA-4 Abs in primates has not been addressed. To that end, we generated human Abs against CTLA-4 using transgenic mice expressing human Ig genes. A high affinity Ab (10D1) that blocked the binding of CTLA-4 to the B7-1 and B7-2 ligands and had cross-reactivity with macaque CTLA-4 was chosen for further development. Administration of 10D1 to cynomolgus macaques significantly enhanced Ab responses to hepatitis surface Ag and a human melanoma cell vaccine. Anti-self Ab responses as measured by immunoassays using lysate from melanocyte-rich tissues were elicited in those animals receiving the melanoma cell vaccine and anti-CTLA-4 Ab. Remarkably, chronic administration of 10D1 did not result in measurable polyclonal T cell activation, significant alteration of the lymphocyte subsets, or induce clinically observable autoimmunity. Repeated dosing of the 10D1 did not elicit monkey anti-human Ab responses in the monkeys. These observations support the development of CTLA-4 blockade for human immunotherapy.
NF1 Deletion Generates Multiple Subtypes of Soft-Tissue Sarcoma That Respond to MEK Inhibition (2013)

Soft-tissue sarcomas are a heterogeneous group of tumors arising from connective tissue. Recently, mutations in the neurofibromin 1 (NF1) tumor suppressor gene were identified in multiple subtypes of human soft-tissue sarcomas. To study the effect of NF1 inactivation in the initiation and progression of distinct sarcoma subtypes, we have developed a novel mouse model of temporally and spatially restricted NF1-deleted sarcoma. To generate primary sarcomas, we inject adenovirus containing Cre recombinase into NF1(flox/flox); Ink4a/Arf(flox/flox) mice at two distinct orthotopic sites: intramuscularly or in the sciatic nerve. The mice develop either high-grade myogenic sarcomas or malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST)-like tumors, respectively. These tumors reflect the histologic properties and spectrum of sarcomas found in patients. To explore the use of this model for preclinical studies, we conducted a study of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway inhibition with the MEK inhibitor PD325901. Treatment with PD325901 delays tumor growth through decreased cyclin D1 mRNA and cell proliferation. We also examined the effects of MEK inhibition on the native tumor stroma and find that PD325901 decreases VEGFα expression in tumor cells with a corresponding decrease in microvessel density. Taken together, our results use a primary tumor model to show that sarcomas can be generated by loss of NF1 and Ink4a/Arf, and that these tumors are sensitive to MEK inhibition by direct effects on tumor cells and the surrounding microenvironment. These studies suggest that MEK inhibitors should be further explored as potential sarcoma therapies in patients with tumors containing NF1 deletion.
A Comparison of Glucosamine and Biovolume Conversion Factors for Estimating Fungal Biomass (1984)

Glucosamine content or biovolume of fungi cannot be used to estimate fungal biomass unless the ratio of these quantities to fungal mass is known. We measured the interspecific and temporal variation of seven attributes of three salt-marsh fungi grown on damp Spartina alterniflora. Glucosamine (jig) and biovolume (mm3 fresh) per mg dry weight, mg carbon, and mg nitrogen were calculated. There were significant differences (p < 0.01) among species (Buergenerula spartina, Fusarium sp., Phaeosphaeria typharum) and among ages (2, 4, 12 wk) for glucosamine. Glucosamine and biovolume per unit mass increased with age. There were significant correlations (p < 0.01) between glucosamine and biovolume conversion factors (r = 0.89) and between residual hyphal mass after amino sugar analysis and hyphal nitrogen content (r = 0.85). Glucosamine did not correlate as well with hyphal surface area (p < 0.05). Considering all species and ages, glucosamine content varied from 8.5-92.8 jig GlcN mg-' dry weight (23-299 [Lg GlcN mg-' C; 170-3094 jig GlcN mg1 N). It is necessary to know species-specific and age-specific biomass conversion factors to accurately estimate fungal biomasses using biochemical or direct-count quantification techniques.
Altered transcription activation specificity of a mutant form of Bacillus subtilis GltR, a LysR family member (1997)

A mutation (gltR24) that allows Bacillus subtilis glutamate synthase (gltAB) gene expression in the absence of its positive regulator, GltC, was identified. Cloning and sequencing of the gltR gene revealed that the putative gltR product belongs to the LysR family of transcriptional regulators and is thus related to GltC. A null mutation in gltR had no effect on gltAB expression under any environmental condition tested, suggesting that gltR24 is a gain-of-function mutation. GltR24-dependent transcription of gltAB, initiated at the same base pair as GltC-dependent transcription, was responsive to the nitrogen source in the medium and required the integrity of sequences upstream of the gltAB promoter that are also necessary for GltC-dependent expression. Expression of the gltC gene, transcribed divergently from gltA from an overlapping promoter, was not affected by GltR. Both wild-type GltR and GltR24 negatively regulated their own expression. The gltR gene was mapped to 233 degrees on the B. subtilis chromosome, very close to the azlB locus.
The rationale and strategy used to develop a series of highly potent, irreversible, inhibitors of the epidermal growth factor receptor family of tyrosine kinases. (1999)

The Epidermal Growth Factor receptor (EGFr) was one of the first oncogenes identified, and it, or its ligands Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) and Transforming Growth Factor a (TGFa) are overexpressed in most clinical tumours. As EGF and TGFa are potent mitogens, it appeared that inhibition of EGFr signaling would be a viable anti-proliferative strategy. Screening found several classes of EGFr inhibitor, one of which, the indolinethiones was developed. The SAR, in common with that of other first generation tyrosine kinase (TK) inhibitors was flat, and potency was poor. Rescreening in presence of a thiol, to remove chemically reactive species, identified only two leads, a pyridopyrimidine and a quinazoline. These were developed into a very broad class of EGFr inhibitors, with great potency and selectivity for EGFr, but poor physicochemical properties, and little if any in vivo anti-tumour activity. Meanwhile the complex role of other members of the EGFr TK family in oncogenesis, was becoming apparent, suggesting that the whole EGFr family should be inhibited. The difficulty of finding potent compounds with acceptable pharmacokinetics also suggested that irreversible inhibitors of the TK might produce better in vivo profiles. Modeling suggested that the unusual Cys773 residue might be reached from the 6/7-positions of quinazoline and pyridopyrimidine inhibitors. Inhibitors with acrylamides at these positions proved to be irreversible alkylating agents for both EGFr and erbB-2 with cellular inhibitory activities in the low nanomolar range, and very potent in vivo antitumour activity. Optimized inhibitors had exceptionally potent oral antitumour activity, with negligible cytotoxicity.
Renal abnormalities in patients with sickle cell-beta thalassemia. (1997)

We examined renal abnormalities in Greek patients with sickle-cell beta thalassemia (S-beta thal). A total of 17 patients aged 16-59 years suffering from S-beta thal and 17 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were studied. In all individuals we carried out a detailed study of renal function including electrolytes in serum and urine, concentrating or diluting ability, urine acidification ability, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and hormones [such as plasma renin activity (PRA), serum aldosterone, and erythropoietin (EPO)]. Though the GFR did not differ significantly in patients and controls, half the patients had either supranormal or subnormal values. Serum potassium and uric acid were significantly higher in patients than controls. Serum phosphorus was similar in both groups, though patients with S-beta thal had significantly lower phosphate excretion indices. All patients were unable to maximally concentrate the urine, and seven also had limited ability to maximally dilute it. Five patients had incomplete distal renal tubular acidosis. Four had mild proteinuria, and six had microalbuminuria. Serum EPO and aldosterone were higher in S-beta thal patients than controls, but there was no difference in PRA between the two groups. There was a strong correlation between hemoglobin concentration and EPO levels, which was strongest in patients with GFR < 50 ml/min. We conclude that patients with S-beta thal, like sickle-cell anemia patients, present multiple abnormalities of renal function.
Sweetener Preference of C57BL/6ByJ and 129P3/J Mice (2001)

Previous studies have shown large differences in taste responses to several sweeteners between mice of the C57BL/6ByJ (B6) and 129P3/J (129) inbred strains. The goal of this study was to compare behavioral responses of B6 and 129 mice to a wider variety of sweeteners. Seventeen sweeteners were tested using two-bottle preference tests with water. Three main patterns of strain differences were evident. First, sucrose, maltose, saccharin, acesulfame-K, sucralose and SC-45647 were preferred by both strains, but the B6 mice had lower preference thresholds and higher solution intakes. Second, the amino acids D-phenylalanine, D-tryptophan, L-proline and glycine were highly preferred by B6 mice, but not by 129 mice. Third, glycyrrhizic acid, neohesperidin dihydrochalcone, thaumatin and cyclamate did not evoke strong preferences in either strain. Aspartame was neutral to all 129 and some B6 mice, but other B6 mice strongly preferred it. Thus, compared with the 129 mice the B6 mice had higher preferences for sugars, sweet tasting amino acids and several but not all non-caloric sweeteners. Glycyrrhizic acid, neohesperidin, thaumatin and cyclamate are not palatable to B6 or 129 mice.
Electrical Impedance Tomography for Imaging Tissue Electroporation (2004)

Electroporation is a method to introduce molecules, such as gene constructs or small drugs, into cells by temporarily permeating the cell membrane with electric pulses. In molecular medicine and biotechnology, tissue electroporation is performed with electrodes placed in the target area of the body. Currently, tissue electroporation, as with all other methods of molecular medicine, is performed without real-time control or near-term information regarding the extent and degree of electroporation. This paper expands the work from our previous study by implementing new ex vivo experimental data with "front-tracking" analysis for the image reconstruction algorithm. The experimental data is incorporated into numerical simulations of electroporation procedures and images are generated using the new reconstruction algorithm to demonstrate that electrical impedance tomography (EIT) can produce an image of the electroporated area. Combining EIT with electroporation could become an important biotechnological and medical technique to introduce therapeutic molecules into cells in tissue at predetermined areas of the body.
Effects of base mismatches on joining of short oligodeoxynucleotides by DNA ligases (1997)

The requirement for Watson-Crick base pairing surrounding a nick in duplex DNA to be sealed by DNA ligase is the basis for oligonucleotide ligation assays that distinguish single base mutations in DNA targets. Experiments in a model system demonstrate that the minimum length of oligonucleotide that can be joined differs for different ligases. Thermus thermophilus (Tth) DNA ligase is unable to join any oligonucleotide of length six or less, while T4 DNA ligase and T7 DNA ligase are both able to join hexamers. The rate of oligonucleotide ligation by Tth DNA ligase increases between heptamer and nonamer. Mismatches which cause the duplex to be shortened by fraying, at the end distal to the join, slow the ligation reaction. In the case of Tth DNA ligase, mismatches at the seventh and eighth position 5'to the nick completely inhibit the ligation of octamers. The results are relevant to mechanisms of ligation.
First cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the WHO European Region, 24 January to 21 February 2020 (2020)

In the WHO European Region, COVID-19 surveillance was implemented 27 January 2020. We detail the first European cases. As at 21 February, nine European countries reported 47 cases. Among 38 cases studied, 21 were linked to two clusters in Germany and France, 14 were infected in China. Median case age was 42 years; 25 were male. Late detection of the clusters' index cases delayed isolation of further local cases. As at 5 March, there were 4,250 cases.
Design and Implementation of an FPGA Architecture for High-Speed Network Feature Extraction (2007)

Network feature extraction involves the storage and classification of network packet activity. Although primarily employed in network intrusion detection systems, feature extraction is also used to determine various other aspects of a network's behavior such as total traffic and average connection size. Current software methods used for extraction of network features fail to meet the performance requirements of next-generation high-speed networks. In this paper, we propose an FPGA-based reconfigurable architecture for feature extraction of large high-speed networks. Our design makes use of parallel rows of hash functions and sketch tables in order to process network packets at a very high throughput. We present a detailed description of our architecture and its implementation on a Xilinx Virtex-II Pro FPGA board, and provide cycle-accurate timing results for feature extraction of input networking benchmark data. Our results demonstrate real-world throughputs of as high as 3.32 Gbps, with speedups reaching 18x when compared to an equivalent software implementation.