gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
A predictive model for haptic assistance in robot assisted trocar insertion (2013)

In this work we propose a new Prediction from Expert Demonstration (PED) methodology to provide haptic assistance in robot assisted trocar surgery. Data was collected from expert (clinician) demonstrations for the procedure of trocar insertion. We encode a set of force, torque and penetration trajectories by using a Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM). A generalization of these profiles and associated parameters are retrieved by Gaussian Mixture Regression (GMR). A haptic assistance mode was devised to help novices perform the procedure based on the proposed PED model. We validated the methodology for surgical assistance on (n= 15) participants. The PED haptic model was tested for instrument deviation, penetration force and penetration depth. Preliminary study results showed that participants with PED haptic assistance performed the task with more consistency and exerted lesser penetration force than subjects without assistance.
Effect of Grapefruit Juice on Pharmacokinetics of Microemulsion Cyclosporine in African American Subjects Compared with Caucasian Subjects: Does Ethnic Difference Matter? (2001)

This study aims to determine the effect of grapefruit juice (GJ) on microemulsion cyclosporine (CsA) in 11 African American subjects, and it was compared to those in 11 Caucasian subjects. Each subject received two oral doses of CsA with water (W) or GI as well as i.v. CsA. Regardless of race, GJ significantly increased the peak concentration (Cmax) and area under the time-curve (AUC) of CsA; however, the magnitude of GJ effects was different between African American subjects and Caucasian subjects (p = 0.0003). GJ increased peak concentration of CsA by 39% in African American subjects, while the difference in Caucasian subjects was only 8% (p > 0.05). GJ also increased AUC of CsA in African American subjects by 60%, while GJ increased that in Caucasian subjects by 44% (p = 0.0001). The absolute bioavailability of CsA was 21% lower in African American subjects compared with Caucasian subjects when it was given with water (p = 0.048), but these differences disappeared when it was given with GJ (p = 0.6). These findings suggest that concurrent administration of GJ increases the bioavailability of CsA in African American subjects in greater magnitude compared with Caucasian subjects.
Glutamine Transfer from Xylem to Phloem and Translocation to Developing Leaves of Populus deltoides (1985)

The distribution of (14)C from xylem-borne [(14)C]glutamine, the major nitrogen compound moving in xylem sap of cottonwood (Populus deltoides Bartr. ex Marsh), was followed in rapidly growing shoots with a combination of autoradiographic, microautoradiographic, and radioassay techniques. Autoradiography and (14)C analyses of tissues showed that xylem-borne glutamine did not move with the transpiration stream into mature leaves. Instead, most of it was transferred from xylem to phloem in the upper stem and then translocated to young developing tissues. Microautoradiography showed that metaxylem parenchyma, secondary xylem parenchyma, and rays were the major areas of uptake from xylem vessels in the stem. Accumulation in phloem (high (14)C concentrations in sieve tubes) took place in internodes subtending recently mature leaves. Little (14)C from xylem-borne glutamine was found in phloem of mature leaves, which indicates restricted retransport of glutamine that did enter the leaf. In the primary tissues of the upper stem, most (14)C was found in the phloem. Cottonwood stems have an efficient uptake and transfer system that enhances glutamine movement to developing tissues of the upper stem.
Characteristics of Nutritional Status and the Effect of Pre-transplant Branched-chain Amino Acid Administration in Patients Undergoing Living Donor Liver Transplantation (2016)

Background: Protein-energy malnutrition is common in patients with end-stage liver disease undergoing liver transplantation. We examined the characteristics of nutritional status and impact of pre-admission branched-chainamino- acids treatment on skeletal muscle mass, nutritional/metabolic parameters and on post-transplant outcomes. Methodology: Preoperative skeletal muscle mass and nutritional/metabolic parameter levels were compared in 129 patients undergoing adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantation whether received branched-chain-aminoacids treatment before admission or not. We examined relationships among these parameters, and risk factors for post-transplant bacteremia and early mortality after LT focusing on nutritional parameters. Results: Pre-albumin and branched-chain-amino-acids-to-tyrosine ratio were significantly higher while tyrosine was lower in branched-chain-amino-acids-pre-supplemented than non-pre-supplemented group, while skeletal muscle mass, total lymphocyte count, zinc, branched-chain-amino-acids and ammonia levels were not significantly different. Skeletal muscle mass positively correlated with tyrosine (r=0.437, P<0.001) and branched-chain-aminoacids (r=0.282, P=0.001) and negatively with branched-chain-amino-acids-to-tyrosine-ratio (r=-0.259, P=0.003). Multivariate predictors of post-transplant bacteremia were: Child-Pugh class C (P=0.012), low preoperative total lymphocyte count (P=0.027), operative blood loss ≥ 10 L (P=0.039) and absence of pre-admission branched-chainamino- acids treatment (P=0.040). Nutritional/metabolic parameters and pre-admission branched-chain-amino-acids treatment were not crucial for post-transplant early mortality. Conclusion: Pre-admission branched-chain-amino-acid therapy could ameliorate preoperative amino acid imbalance and the incidence of post-transplant bacteremia.
Prognostic value of inflammatory biomarkers and GRACE score for cardiac death and acute kidney injury after acute coronary syndromes (2021)

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01000701.
Symmetries in the time-averaged dynamics of networks: Reducing unnecessary complexity through minimal network models (2019)

Complex networks are the subject of fundamental interest from the scientific community at large. Several metrics have been introduced to characterize the structure of these networks, such as the degree distribution, degree correlation, path length, clustering coefficient, centrality measures, etc. Another important feature is the presence of network symmetries. In particular, the effect of these symmetries has been studied in the context of network synchronization, where they have been used to predict the emergence and stability of cluster synchronous states. Here, we provide theoretical, numerical, and experimental evidence that network symmetries play a role in a substantially broader class of dynamical models on networks, including epidemics, game theory, communication, and coupled excitable systems; namely, we see that in all these models, nodes that are related by a symmetry relation show the same time-averaged dynamical properties. This discovery leads us to propose reduction techniques for exact, yet minimal, simulation of complex networks dynamics, which we show are effective in order to optimize the use of computational resources, such as computation time and memory.
Optimized Self-Nanoemulsifying Delivery System Based on Plant-Derived Oil Augments Alpha-Lipoic Acid Protective Effects Against Experimentally Induced Gastric Lesions (2021)

Peptic ulcer disease is an injury of the alimentary tract that leads to a mucosal defect reaching the submucosa. Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), a natural potent antioxidant, has been known as a gastroprotective drug yet its low bioavailability may restrict its therapeutic efficacy. This study aimed to formulate and optimize ALA using a self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDDS) with a size of nano-range, enhancing its absorption and augmenting its gastric ulcer protection efficacy. Three SNEDDS components were selected as the design factors: the concentrations of the pumpkin oil (X1, 10-30%), the surfactant tween 80 (X2, 20-50%), and the co-surfactant polyethylene glycol 200 (X3, 30-60%). The experimental design for the proposed mixture produced 16 formulations with varying ALA-SNEDDS formulation component percentages. The optimized ALA-SNEDDS formula was investigated for gastric ulcer protective effects by evaluating the ulcer index and by the determination of gastric mucosa oxidative stress parameters. Results revealed that optimized ALA-SNEDDS achieved significant improvement in gastric ulcer index in comparison with raw ALA. Histopathological findings confirmed the protective effect of the formulated optimized ALASNEDDS in comparison with raw ALA. These findings suggest that formulation of ALA in SNEDDS form would be more effective in gastric ulcer protection compared to pure ALA.
Novel nonlinear adaptive Doppler shift estimation technique (NADSET) for the coherent Doppler lidar system VALIDAR (2006)

A novel Nonlinear Adaptive Doppler Shift Estimation Technique (NADSET) is introduced in this paper. The quality of Doppler shift and power estimations by conventional Fourier-transform-based spectrum estimation methods deteriorates rapidly in low signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR) environment. The new NADSET algorithm compensates such deterioration in the quality of wind parameter estimates by adaptively utilizing the statistics of Doppler shift estimate in strong SNR ranges and identifying sporadic range bins where good Doppler shift estimates are found. NADSET is based on the nature of continuous wind profile and significantly improves the accuracy and the quality of Doppler shift estimates in low SNR ranges. The authenticity of NADSET is established by comparing the trend of wind parameters with and without NADSET applied to the lidar returns acquired over a long period of time by the coherent Doppler lidar system VALIDAR at NASA Langley Research Center in Virginia.
Flexible and Stretchable Microwave Microelectronic Devices and Circuits (2017)

Electronic systems built on flexible plastic films and stretchable rubber sheets have attracted new applications in many emerging fields. Integration of high-speed electronics such as microwave power amplifiers and switches can extend the applications even further with wireless capabilities. As such, flexible and stretchable microwave electronics represent opportunities for future electronics where remote capabilities are desired. Here, we review advances in numerous types of microelectronic devices used for fast, flexible, and stretchable electronic devices, as well as flexible and stretchable passive elements and circuitries. We first introduce the challenges associated with design and fabrication, and the characteristics required for high-frequency operation of the devices on foreign substrates. Second, we review the recent efforts that were made utilizing different types of high-performance semiconductors, which are ideal for high-speed flexible and stretchable electronics, such as silicon, compound semiconductors, and 1-D and 2-D materials. Third, passive electronic components fabricated on such substrates, including inductors, capacitors, and transmission lines, are reviewed. Finally, we discuss the flexible and stretchable microwave electronics at the circuit level and review the recent advances in making numerous types of flexible and stretchable microwave circuits for diverse applications.
Ultra-High-vacuum Experimental Equipment to Characterize Shape Memory Alloys for Space Applications (2015)

An experimental ultra-high-vacuum facility capable of measuring the deformation during thermal cycles under load at different temperatures has been designed and developed to characterize the shape memory effect in the environmental and working conditions imposed by the aerospace industry. In the current work the description of the equipment working at 2x10-8 mbar between -180 °C up to 200 °C is presented, as well as several sets of measurements of thermally induced transformation under load in SMAs.
Solar Cells with Laser Doped Boron Layers from Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Vapor Deposition (2022)

We present laser-doped interdigitated back contact (IBC) solar cells with efficiencies of 23% on an area of 244 cm2 metallized by a screen-printed silver paste. Local laser doping is especially suited for processing IBC cells where a multitude of pn-junctions and base contacts lay side by side. The one-sided deposition of boron-doped precursor layers by atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition (APCVD) is a cost-effective method for the production of IBC cells without masking processes. The properties of the laser-doped silicon strongly depend on the precursor’s purity, thickness, and the total amount of boron dopants. Variations of the precursor in terms of thickness and boron content, and of the laser pulse energy density, can help to tailor the doping and sheet resistance. With saturation-current densities of 70 fA/cm2 at sheet resistances of 60 Ohm/sq, we reached maximum efficiencies of 23% with a relatively simple, industrial process for bifacial IBC-cells, with 70% bifaciality measured on the module level. The APCVD-layers were deposited with an inline lab-type system and a metal transport belt and, therefore, may have been slightly contaminated, limiting the efficiencies when compared to thermal-diffused boron doping. The use of an industrial APCVD system with a quartz glass transport system would achieve even higher efficiencies.
Separation and Enhanced Detection of Anesthetic Compounds Using Solid Phase Micro-Extraction (SPME)–Raman Spectroscopy (2014)

Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based solid-phase micro-extraction (SPME) was used along with Raman spectroscopy (RS) to separate and enhance the detection of five anesthetic compounds (halothane, propofol, isoflurane, enflurane, and etomidate) from aqueous and serum phases. Raman signals in the spectral ranges 250-450 cm(-1) and 950-1050 cm(-1) allowed the unique characterization of all five compounds when extracted into the PDMS phase. The SPME-RS detection of clinically relevant concentrations of aqueous propofol (6.5 μM) and halothane (200 μM) is shown. We quantify the partition coefficient for aqueous halothane in PDMS as log K = 1.9 ± 0.2. Solid-phase micro-extraction of the anesthetics makes their detection possible without the strong autofluorescent interference of serum proteins. Because of low solubility and/or weak Raman scattering, we found it challenging to detect enflurane, isoflurane, and etomidate directly from the aqueous phase, but could we do so with SPME enhancement. These studies show the potential of SPME-RS as a method for the direct detection of anesthetics in blood.
Mapping the Proteome ofDrosophilamelanogaster:  Analysis of Embryos and Adult Heads by LC−IMS−MS Methods (2005)

Multidimensional separations combined with mass spectrometry are used to study the proteins that are present in two states of Drosophila melanogaster: the whole embryo and the adult head. The approach includes the incorporation of a gas-phase separation dimension in which ions are dispersed according to differences in their mobilities and is described as a means of providing a detailed analytical map of the proteins that are present. Overall, we find evidence for 1133 unique proteins. In total, 780 are identified in the head, and 660 are identified in the embryo. Only 307 proteins are in common to both developmental stages, indicating that there are significant differences in these proteomes. A comparison of the proteome to a database of mRNAs that are found from analysis by cDNA approaches (i.e., transcriptome) also shows little overlap. All of this information is discussed in terms of the relationship between the predicted genome, and measured transcriptomes and proteomes. Additionally, the merits and weaknesses of current technologies are assessed in some detail.
High-Performance Polycrystalline Silicon Thin Film Transistors on Non-Alkali Glass Produced Using Continuous Wave Laser Lateral Crystallization (2002)

We have developed high-performance polycrystalline silicon (poly-Si) thin film transistors (TFTs) with a field-effect mobility of 566 cm2/V·s for n-channel TFT and 200 cm2/V·s for p-channel TFT on 300 mm×300 mm non-alkali glass substrate. The TFTs were developed using a stable diode pumped solid state (DPSS) continuous-wave laser lateral crystallization (CLC) method at a temperature below 450°C. The high performance of the TFTs was attributed to the very large predominantly (100)-oriented grain. This crystallization method will enable high-performance Si-LSI circuits to be fabricated on large non-alkali glass substrates.
Failing states (2018)

States are the only contemporary political organizations that enjoy a unique legal status under international law—sovereignty—and are deemed to possess an exclusive monopoly on the legitimate use of force within their borders. A central feature of the state is to provide for the delivery of public goods (such as security) to its citizenry, and states fail to function as states when they can no longer do this. While the concept of “state failure” or “failing states” is much debated, the consequences of such failure are all too real, especially in Africa. Endemic violence, ethnic and religious tensions, rampant human rights abuses, rising terrorism and crime, along with a lack of legitimacy and political inclusion, as well as an inability to exercise effective control over territory are hallmarks of failing states.
Treatment of Metastatic Hormone Refractory Prostate Cancer with Ketoconazole, Hydrocortisone, and Cyclophosphamide (2001)

ABSTRACT Objective: Patients with metastatic hormone‐refractory prostate cancer have a poor overall survival rate. Newer agents have shown promise in slowing disease progression but are mostly ineffective in improving the overall survival rate, are toxic, and require intravenous administration. In an attempt to maintain treatment efficacy, but to minimize toxicity and improve ease of use, we conducted a pilot trial of an oral regimen consisting of ketoconazole, hydrocortisone, and cyclophosphamide combination therapy. Materials and Methods: Twenty‐seven patients with metastatic hormone‐refractory prostate cancer were treated with an oral regimen of ketoconazole, 400 mg tid, and hydrocortisone, 20 mg qam and 10 mg qpm, on Days 1–28. Cyclophosphamide, 100 mg/m 2 , was added on Days 1–14. Treatment was recycled every 28 days. Progression of disease was defined by a progressively rising prostate specific antigen (PSA) level, new lesions as seen on bone scans, or progression of soft‐tissue disease. Patient age ranged from 57 to 87 years. Performance status (PS; Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group scale) was 0–2. Pretreatment PSA values ranged from 5.8 ng/mL to 3400 ng/mL (median 68). Results: Twenty‐one (78%) of 27 patients with elevated PSA levels demonstrated a ≥50% decline in PSA level for 3 consecutive months. Of the remaining six patients (22%), two progressed within 3 months, two withdrew from the study due to toxicity, and two responded with &lt;50% decline in PSA level. Nadir PSA values ranged from &lt;0.2 to 155, with a median nadir of 5.1. Mean and median declines in PSA levels were 79% and 93%, respectively. The duration of response ranged from 3 to &gt;96 months, with a median response duration of 9 months. Twenty‐two (81%) of 27 patients experienced no significant toxicity, 4 of 27 patients experienced Grade I–III gastrointestinal toxicity, and 1 of 27 patients experienced Grade III hematologic toxicity. Conclusions: The combination of ketoconazole, hydrocortisone, and cyclophosphamide is a well‐tolerated oral regimen for the treatment of patients with metastatic hormone‐refractory prostate cancer with significant disease activity, and it warrants further investigation.
Beneath the emperor's clothes: The body of data in scrapie and CJD (1997)

The infectious agents causing CJD, scrapie and BSE remain incompletely characterized. Mounting evidence shows that the PrP protein alone cannot be the infectious agent, and belief in prions can undermine realistic assessments of infection. Direct analyses show the infectious particle has the characteristics of a virus, in terms of both particle size and nucleic acid content. A classic vaccination approach suggests that the immune system may be recruited to limited agent spread.
Total Synthesis of 13β-Allylgonanes. II (1973)

In order to protect selectively the double bond of the allyl group at C-13 in 3-methoxy-13-allyl-8, 14-secogona-1, 3, 5 (10), 9-tetraene-14, 17-dione (I), the authors established the synthesizing route via 9α, 14α-epoxy-3-methoxy-13β-allyl-8, 14-secogona-1, 3, 5 (10)-trien-17-one (IV), which was converted into the diol (VI) or the dibromide (XXVI). Reaction of VI with acetic anhydride and p-toluenesulfonic acid gave the gonapentaene triacetate (X), but treatment of VI with hydrochloric acid in methanol yielded a novel steroid (VIII).
Reconstitution of a bacterial/plant polyamine biosynthesis pathway in Saccharomyces cerevisiae (1999)

Polyamine synthesis in most organisms is initiated by the decarboxylation of ornithine to form putrescine via ornithine decarboxylase (ODC). Plants, some bacteria and some fungi and protozoa generate putrescine from arginine, via arginine decarboxylase (ADC) and agmatine ureohydrolase (AUH) or agmatine iminohydrolase. A polyamine-requiring strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae with a mutation in the gene encoding ODC was transformed with plasmids bearing genes encoding Escherichia coli ADC and AUH. Transformants regained the ability to grow in the absence of exogenous polyamines and contained enzyme activities consistent with the presence of both prokaryotic enzymes. Similar results were obtained when a plasmid containing a gene encoding oat (Avena sativa L.) ADC was substituted for the E. coli gene. These data demonstrate the successful complementation of a yeast biosynthetic polyamine synthesis defect by genes encoding an alternative pathway found in bacteria; they also show that plant ADC can substitute for the bacterial enzyme in this pathway. The recombinant yeast provides a tool for the study of the functional properties of these enzymes and for discovery of compounds that specifically inhibit this pathway.
The President's Page (2018)

Presents the President’s message for this issue of the publication.
Combination of CD47 and signal‐regulatory protein‐α constituting the “don’t eat me signal” is a prognostic factor in diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (2020)

The interaction between CD47 and signal-regulatory protein-α (SIRPα) inhibits phagocytosis, thus affecting the clinical outcomes of neoplastic diseases. Although CD47 upregulation is associated with poor prognosis in several malignancies, the effect of SIRPα expression and its coexpression with CD47 remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the clinicopathologic effect of CD47 and SIRPα expression in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Immunostaining of 120 biopsy samples showed that CD47 is primarily expressed in tumor cells, whereas SIRPα is expressed in nonneoplastic stromal cells, mostly macrophages. CD47<sup>high</sup> cases showed higher MYC protein expression and lower MYC translocation. The SIRPα<sup>high</sup> cases presented significantly shorter overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) than SIRPα<sup>low</sup> cases in the activated B-cell (ABC) subtype of DLBCL (P = .04 and P = .02, respectively). Both CD47<sup>high</sup> and SIRPα<sup>high</sup> presented significantly shorter OS and PFS than other cases among all DLBCL patients (P = .01 and P = .004, respectively), and the ABC type (P = .04 and P = .008, respectively) but not the germinal center B-cell type. Both CD47<sup>high</sup> and SIRPα<sup>high</sup> yielded a constant independent prognostic value for OS and PFS in multivariate analysis (hazard ratio [HR], 2.93; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.20-7.43; P = .02; and HR, 2.87; 95% CI, 1.42-5.85; P = .003, respectively). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report that combinatorial CD47 and SIRPα expression is a potential independent prognostic factor for DLBCL. Evaluation of CD47 and SIRPα expression could be useful before CD47 blockade therapy.