gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Nylon coil actuator operating temperature range and stiffness (2015)

Components in automotive and aerospace applications require a wide temperature range of operation. Newly discovered thermally active Baughman muscle potentially provides affordable and viable solutions for driving mechanical devices by heating them from room temperature, but little is known about their operation below room temperature. We study the mechanical behavior of nylon coil actuators by testing elastic modulus and by investigating tensile stroke as a function of temperature. Loads that range from 35 MPa to 155 MPa were applied. For the nylon used and the coiling conditions, active thermal contraction totals 19.5 % when the temperature is raised from -40 &deg;C to 160 &deg;C. The thermal contraction observed from -40 &deg;C to 20&deg;C is only ~2 %, whereas between 100 and 160 &deg;C the contraction is 10 %. A marked increase in thermal contraction is occurs in the vicinity of the glass transition temperature (~ 45&deg;C). The elastic modulus drops as temperature increases, from ~155 MPa at – 40 &deg;C to 35 MPa at 200 &deg;C. Interestingly the drop in active contraction with increasing load is small and much less than might be expected given the temperature dependence of modulus.
Transfusion-Transmitted Viruses Study: Experimental Evidence for Two Non-A, Non-B Hepatitis Agents (1980)

Plasma, serum, and a concentrate of factor VIII, implicated in human cases of non-A, non-B (NANB) hepatitis, were inoculated into four chimpanzees. All four animals demonstrated significant elevations of alanine aminotransferase levels within five weeks. After recovery from these NANB hepatitis episodes, the chimpanzees were cross-challenged with different inocula. A second episode of NANB hepatitis occurred after challenge in three animals. Reproducibility of the results was established by reversing the sequence of inoculation in two of the animals. A known infectious concentrate of factor VIII failed to induce hepatitis in a previously infected chimpanzee although the animal remained susceptible to a third inoculum, an event suggesting that the first inoculum might contain the same NANB hepatitis agent as the concentrate of factor VIII, which was supported by results of a subsequent cross-challenge experiment. Reinfection did not occur in two chimpanzees injected with their initial challenge strain of NANB hepatitis virus, providing evidence that strain-specific immunity had been established. Thus, experimental evidence is provided for the presence of two NANB hepatitis agents, supporting clinical and epidemiologic studies that favor the existence of more than one etiologic agent.
FEC and pseudo-ARQ for receiver-driven layered multicast of audio and video (2002)

We consider the problem of joint source/channel coding of real-time sources, such as audio and video, for the purpose of multicasting over the Internet. The sender injects into the network multiple source layers and multiple channel (parity) layers, some of which are delayed relative to the source. Each receiver subscribes to the number of source layers and the number of channel layers that optimizes the source-channel rate allocation for that receiver's available bandwidth and packet loss probability. We augment this layered FEC system with layered ARQ. Although feedback is normally problematic in broadcast situations, ARQ is simulated by having the receivers subscribe and unsubscribe to the delayed channel coding layers to receive missing information. This pseudo-ARQ scheme avoids an implosion of repeat requests at the sender, and is scalable to an unlimited number of receivers. We show gains of up to 18 dB on channels with 20% loss over systems without error control, and additional gains of up to 13 dB when FEC is augmented by pseudo-ARQ in a hybrid system. The hybrid system is controlled by an optimal policy for a Markov decision process.
Selective inhibition of IDO1 effectively regulates mediators of antitumor immunity (2010)

Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase-1 (IDO1; IDO) mediates oxidative cleavage of tryptophan, an amino acid essential for cell proliferation and survival. IDO1 inhibition is proposed to have therapeutic potential in immunodeficiency-associated abnormalities, including cancer. Here, we describe INCB024360, a novel IDO1 inhibitor, and investigate its roles in regulating various immune cells and therapeutic potential as an anticancer agent. In cellular assays, INCB024360 selectively inhibits human IDO1 with IC(50) values of approximately 10nM, demonstrating little activity against other related enzymes such as IDO2 or tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO). In coculture systems of human allogeneic lymphocytes with dendritic cells (DCs) or tumor cells, INCB024360 inhibition of IDO1 promotes T and natural killer (NK)-cell growth, increases IFN-gamma production, and reduces conversion to regulatory T (T(reg))-like cells. IDO1 induction triggers DC apoptosis, whereas INCB024360 reverses this and increases the number of CD86(high) DCs, potentially representing a novel mechanism by which IDO1 inhibition activates T cells. Furthermore, IDO1 regulation differs in DCs versus tumor cells. Consistent with its effects in vitro, administration of INCB024360 to tumor-bearing mice significantly inhibits tumor growth in a lymphocyte-dependent manner. Analysis of plasma kynurenine/tryptophan levels in patients with cancer affirms that the IDO pathway is activated in multiple tumor types. Collectively, the data suggest that selective inhibition of IDO1 may represent an attractive cancer therapeutic strategy via up-regulation of cellular immunity.
Structural determinants for binary and ternary complex formation between insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and IGF binding protein-3. (1992)

Structural analogs of recombinant human insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), with alterations to each of the B, C, A, and D domains, have been tested for their ability to form binary complexes with IGF-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) and ternary complexes with IGFBP-3 and the acid-labile subunit (alpha-subunit). Two functionally distinct regions of IGF-I have been identified. The first, involving residues 3 and 4 and the alpha-helix between residues 8 and 18 of the B-domain, as well as residues 49-51 in the A-domain, appears important for IGFBP-3 binding, such that substitution of these residues results in decreased binary complex available for alpha-subunit binding. The second region, distal to the IGFBP-3-binding epitope and primarily involving the D-domain and B-domain near residue 24, with some involvement of the C-domain, appears slightly inhibitory to binary complex formation, such that analogs with a truncated D-domain or with a Gly4 bridge substituted for the C-domain show enhanced binding to IGFBP-3. However, binary complexes formed from these analogs bind the alpha-subunit with reduced affinity, the effect being most marked when substitution of the C-domain, or replacement of Tyr24, is superimposed on D-domain truncation. It is concluded that although the alpha-subunit does not itself bind IGF-I, its interaction with IGFBP-3 in the ternary complex is dependent on structural determinants on IGF-I distal to the IGFBP-3 binding domain.
Biomarkers for pediatric sepsis and septic shock (2010)

Sepsis is a clinical syndrome defined by physiologic changes indicative of systemic inflammation, which are likely attributable to documented or suspected infection. Septic shock is the progression of those physiologic changes to the extent that delivery of oxygen and metabolic substrate to tissues is compromised. Biomarkers have the potential to diagnose, monitor, stratify and predict outcome in these syndromes. C-reactive protein is elevated in inflammatory and infectious conditions and has long been used as a biomarker indicating infection. Procalcitonin has more recently been shown to better distinguish infection from inflammation. Newer candidate biomarkers for infection include IL-18 and CD64. Lactate facilitates the diagnosis of septic shock and the monitoring of its progression. Multiple stratification biomarkers based on genome-wide expression profiling are under active investigation and present exciting future possibilities.
O rock e a cultura evangélica juvenil: música & identidades (2014)

O presente artigo analisa as formas de inserção do rock no cenário protestante brasileiro, bem como sua influência para a formação de identidades juvenis. Para tal propósito foram tomadas como fontes de estudo as canções de duas bandas: Oficina G3, atuante no mercado nacional evangélico desde 1990, e Desertor, representante do cenário underground evangélico desde 1995. A análise das canções em seu conjunto, compreendendo questões estruturais e contextuais, mostrou que essas bandas estão dialogando de forma intensa com o mercado secular, tanto em questões estéticas ligadas à sua performance quanto técnicas, referentes à sua musicalidade. Por outro lado, as ideias que procuram ser transmitidas permanecem ligadas à tradição pietista, mesmo no caso da Desertor que tem letras ligadas à temática punk. Observa-se que o campo protestante tem reorganizado seu diálogo com o cenário secular na tentativa de que seus adeptos, particularmente os jovens que estão mais propensos às mudanças, encontrem um campo fértil para a afirmação de uma identidade que respeite suas questões culturais, o que acaba contribuindo para a continuidade das ideias centrais do discurso.
Small-Interfering RNA (siRNA)-Based Functional Micro- and Nanostructures for Efficient and Selective Gene Silencing (2012)

Because of RNA's ability to encode structure and functional information, researchers have fabricated diverse geometric structures from this polymer at the micro- and nanoscale. With their tunable structures, rigidity, and biocompatibility, novel two-dimensional and three-dimensional RNA structures can serve as a fundamental platform for biomedical applications, including engineered tissues, biosensors, and drug delivery vehicles. The discovery of the potential of small-interfering RNA (siRNA) has underscored the applications of RNA-based micro- and nanostructures in medicine. Small-interfering RNA (siRNA), synthetic double-stranded RNA consisting of approximately 21 base pairs, suppresses problematic target genes in a sequence-specific manner via inherent RNA interference (RNAi) processing. As a result, siRNA offers a potential strategy for treatment of many human diseases. However, due to inefficient delivery to cells and off-target effects, the clinical application of therapeutic siRNA has been very challenging. To address these issues, researchers have studied a variety of nanocarrier systems for siRNA delivery. In this Account, we describe several strategies for efficient siRNA delivery and selective gene silencing. We took advantage of facile chemical conjugation and complementary hybridization to design novel siRNA-based micro- and nanostructures. Using chemical crosslinkers and hydrophobic/hydrophilic polymers at the end of siRNA, we produced various RNA-based structures, including siRNA block copolymers, micelles, linear siRNA homopolymers, and microhydrogels. Because of their increased charge density and flexibility compared with conventional siRNA, these micro- and nanostructures can form polyelectrolyte complexes with poorly charged and biocompatible cationic carriers that are both more condensed and more homogenous than the complexes formed in other carrier systems. In addition, the fabricated siRNA-based structures are linked by cleavable disulfide bonds for facile generation of original siRNA in the cytosol and for target-specific gene silencing. These newly developed siRNA-based structures greatly enhance intracellular uptake and gene silencing both in vitro and in vivo, making them promising biomaterials for siRNA therapeutics.
Adaptation and acclimatization to formaldehyde in methylotrophs capable of high-concentration formaldehyde detoxification (2005)

Formaldehyde is a highly toxic chemical common in industrial effluents, and it is also an intermediate in bacterial metabolism of one-carbon growth substrates, although its role as a bacterial growth substrate per se has not been extensively reported. This study investigated two highly formaldehyde-resistant formaldehyde utilizers, strains BIP and ROS1; the former strain has been used for industrial remediation of formaldehyde-containing effluents. The two strains were shown by means of 16S rRNA characterization to be closely related members of the genus Methylobacterium. Both strains were able to use formaldehyde, methanol and a range of multicarbon compounds as their principal growth substrate. Growth on formaldehyde was possible up to a concentration of at least 58 mM, and survival at up to 100 mM was possible after stepwise acclimatization by growth at increasing concentrations of formaldehyde. At such high concentrations of formaldehyde, the cultures underwent a period of formaldehyde removal without growth before the formaldehyde concentration fell below 60 mM, and growth could resume. Two-dimensional electrophoresis and MS characterization of formaldehyde-induced proteins in strain BIP revealed that the pathways of formaldehyde metabolism, and adaptations to methylotrophic growth, were very similar to those seen in the well-characterized methanol-utilizing methylotroph Methylobacterium extorquens AM1. Thus, it appears that many of the changes in protein expression that allow strain BIP to grow using high formaldehyde concentrations are associated with expression of the same enzymes used by M. extorquens AM1 to process formaldehyde as a metabolic intermediate during growth on methanol.
Optical Imaging of Matrix Metalloproteinase-7 Activity in Vivo Using a Proteolytic Nanobeacon (2008)

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are extracellular proteolytic enzymes involved in tumor progression. We present the in vivo detection and quantitation of MMP7 activity using a specific near-infrared polymer-based proteolytic beacon, PB-M7NIR. PB-M7NIR is a pegylated polyamidoamine PAMAM-Generation 4 dendrimer core covalently coupled to a Cy5.5-labeled peptide representing a selective substrate that monitors MMP7 activity (sensor) and AF750 as an internal reference to monitor relative substrate concentration (reference). In vivo imaging of tumors expressing MMP7 had a median sensor to reference ratio 2.2-fold higher than a that of a bilateral control tumor. Ex vivo imaging of intestines of multiple intestinal neoplasia (APC Min) mice injected systemically with PB-M7NIR revealed a sixfold increase in the sensor to reference ratio in the adenomas of APC Min mice compared with control intestinal tissue or adenomas from MMP7-null Min mice. PB-M7NIR detected tumor sizes as small as 0.01 cm2, and the sensor to reference ratio was independent of tumor size. Histologic sectioning of xenograft tumors localized the proteolytic signal to the extracellular matrix; MMP7-overexpressing tumors displayed an approximately 300-fold enhancement in the sensor to reference ratio compared with nonexpressing tumor cells. In APC Min adenomas, the proteolytic signal colocalized with the endogenously expressed MMP7 protein, with sensor to reference ratios approximately sixfold greater than that of normal intestinal epithelium. PB-M7NIR provides a useful reagent for the in vivo and ex vivo quantitation and localization of MMP-selective proteolytic activity.
Origin of Multiple Melting Endotherms in a High Hard Block Content Polyurethane:  Effect of Annealing Temperature (2007)

International audience
Model-based brightness constraints: on direct estimation of structure and motion (2000)

We describe a direct method for estimating structure and motion from image intensities of multiple views. We extend the direct methods of Horn and Weldon (1988) to three views. Adding the third view enables us to solve for motion and compute a dense depth map of the scene, directly from image spatio-temporal derivatives in a linear manner without first having to find point correspondences or compute optical flow. We describe the advantages and limitations of this method which are then verified with experiments using real images.
Neuromodulation attenuates bladder hyperactivity in a rat cystitis model (2013)

Using continuous flow cystyometry, we find that SN stimulation can produce effects on micturition consistent with its effects on isovolumetric model, and consistent with the therapeutic effect observed with InterStim® therapy in overactive bladder patients. Although the effect of SN stimulation was slightly greater in bladder irritated over normal rats, the difference was not statistically significant.
Generation of a functional and durable vascular niche by the adenoviral E4ORF1 gene (2008)

Vascular cells contribute to organogenesis and tumorigenesis by producing unknown factors. Primary endothelial cells (PECs) provide an instructive platform for identifying factors that support stem cell and tumor homeostasis. However, long-term maintenance of PECs requires stimulation with cytokines and serum, resulting in loss of their angiogenic properties. To circumvent this hurdle, we have discovered that the adenoviral E4ORF1 gene product maintains long-term survival and facilitates organ-specific purification of PECs, while preserving their vascular repertoire for months, in serum/cytokine-free cultures. Lentiviral introduction of E4ORF1 into human PECs (E4ORF1(+) ECs) increased the long-term survival of these cells in serum/cytokine-free conditions, while preserving their in vivo angiogenic potential for tubulogenesis and sprouting. Although E4ORF1, in the absence of mitogenic signals, does not induce proliferation of ECs, stimulation with VEGF-A and/or FGF-2 induced expansion of E4ORF1(+) ECs in a contact-inhibited manner. Indeed, VEGF-A-induced phospho MAPK activation of E4ORF1(+) ECs is comparable with that of naive PECs, suggesting that the VEGF receptors remain functional upon E4ORF1 introduction. E4ORF1(+) ECs inoculated in implanted Matrigel plugs formed functional, patent, humanized microvessels that connected to the murine circulation. E4ORF1(+) ECs also incorporated into neo-vessels of human tumor xenotransplants and supported serum/cytokine-free expansion of leukemic and embryonal carcinoma cells. E4ORF1 augments survival of PECs in part by maintaining FGF-2/FGF-R1 signaling and through tonic Ser-473 phosphorylation of Akt, thereby activating the mTOR and NF-kappaB pathways. Therefore, E4ORF1(+) ECs establish an Akt-dependent durable vascular niche not only for expanding stem and tumor cells but also for interrogating the roles of vascular cells in regulating organ-specific vascularization and tumor neo-angiogenesis.
Identification of an expanded set of translationally active methionine analogues in Escherichia coli (2001)

Amino acid incorporation into proteins in vivo is controlled most stringently by the aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases. Here we report the incorporation of several new methionine analogues into protein by increasing the rate of their activation by the methionyl-tRNA synthetase (MetRS) of Escherichia coli. cis-Crotylglycine (4), 2-aminoheptanoic acid (7), norvaline (8), 2-butynylglycine (11), and allylglycine (12) will each support protein synthesis in methionine-depleted cultures of E. coli when MetRS is overexpressed and the medium is supplemented with the analogue at millimolar concentrations. These investigations suggest important opportunities for protein engineering, as expansion of the translational apparatus toward other amino acid analogues by similar strategies should also be possible.
A slowly penetrating interfascicular nerve electrode for selective activation of peripheral nerves (1997)

To meet the future needs of functional electrical stimulation (FES) applications, peripheral nerve electrodes must be able to safely, selectively, and independently stimulate small subpopulations of the axons within a common nerve trunk. A new electrode has been designed to place contacts outside of the perineurium, but within the epineurium of the nerve. This slowly penetrating interfascicular nerve electrode (SPINE) combines the safety and simplicity of extraneural cuff electrodes with the intimate interface of intrafascicular wire and probe electrodes. We briefly discuss a mathematical method of quantifying performance of nerve electrodes based on the functional output of the intact neuromuscular system. The quantification involves three variables: 1) the functional recruitment trajectory (FRT), 2) functional overlap (O), and 3) overall functional selectivity (lambda). Second, we present results from six acute SPINE implants on the feline sciatic nerve. Quantification of stimulation results demonstrate interfascicular stimulation is functionally different than extraneural stimulation in 32 of 38 trials. In 19 of 28 trials, interfascicular stimulation is functionally selective based on depth of penetration and 52 of 58 trials demonstrate selectivity based on the side of the penetrating element. Third, tissue sections show that the SPINE electrode penetrates into the nerve within 24 h without evidence of edema or damage to the perineurium.
The Proximal Regulatory Element of the Interferon-γ Promoter Mediates Selective Expression in T Cells (1996)

Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) is produced by natural killer cells and certain subsets of T cells, but the basis for its selective expression is unknown. Within the region between -108 and -40 base pairs of the IFN-gamma promoter are two conserved and essential regulatory elements, which confer activation-specific expression in T cells. This report describes studies indicating that the most proximal of these two regulatory elements is an important determinant of its restricted expression. The proximal element is a composite site that binds members of the CREB/ATF, AP-1, and octamer families of transcription factors. Jun is essential for activation-induced transcription and binds preferably as a heterodimer with ATF-2. In contrast, CREB appears to dampen transcription from this element. The CpG dinucleotide in this element is selectively methylated in Th2 T cells and other cells that do not express IFN-gamma, and methylation markedly reduces transcription factor binding. As a target for DNA methylation and for binding of transcription factors that mediate or impede transcription, this element appears to play a central role in controlling IFN-gamma expression.
General combination rules for qualitative and quantitative beliefs (2009)

Martin and Osswald \cite{Martin07} have recently proposed many generalizations of combination rules on quantitative beliefs in order to manage the conflict and to consider the specificity of the responses of the experts. Since the experts express themselves usually in natural language with linguistic labels, Smarandache and Dezert \cite{Li07} have introduced a mathematical framework for dealing directly also with qualitative beliefs. In this paper we recall some element of our previous works and propose the new combination rules, developed for the fusion of both qualitative or quantitative beliefs.