gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
<title>New vector coding schemes for image and video compression</title> (1994)

Vector transform coding (VTC) has been shown to be a promising new technique for image and video compression. Vector transformation (VT) reduces inter-vector correlation and preserves intra-vector correlation much better than scalar-based transforms such as the discrete cosine transform (DCT) so that vector quantization (VQ) in the VT domain can be made more efficient. In addition to finding a good vector transform, another important aspect of VTC is the codebook structure and bit-allocation in the VT domain. Vectors with different indices in the VT domain have very different characteristics. Given a total number of bits, the question is now to construct the codebooks and allocate bits to the vectors so that distortion is minimized. A new multi-layered codebook structure and a dynamic bit-allocation scheme have been developed. The main advantage of this method over a fixed bit-allocation scheme is that distortion is controlled by dynamically allocating more bits to vectors causing larger distortions and less bits to vectors causing smaller subband coding into vector case so that scalar-based operations are replaced by vector-based operations. In VSC, an image is first decomposed into a set of vector subbands (VSBs) using a vector filter bank (VFB), and then VQ is performed on all vectors in each VSB. The proposed VFB not only reduces inter-vector and inter-band correlation, but also preserves intra-vector correlation. This property makes the subsequent VQ much more efficient and allows large coding gain over conventional subband coding.
Efficient Cooling Ponds: Design (1981)

The design of cooling ponds for the dissipation of waste heat from steam-electric power plants is considered from the point of view of steady-state performance, and of transient performance. Particular emphasis is put on the design of shallow ponds, as defined by classification criteria proposed earlier, which lack a predominant vertical stratification and are dominated by the throughflow hydrodynamics. Such pond types are frequently constructed by diking or excavating an offstream land area. A schematic laboratory study was performed to test the effect on pond performance of various design measures, notably internal baffle arrangements, discharge structures and a deep intake reservoir. An optimal pond design is suggested with moderate beffling (length/width ratio of 5 to 10) to prevent recirculation zones, a radial discharge structure to minimize entrance mixing and deep intake reservoir with a residence time of at least one half day to insure damping of diurnal intake temperature fluctuations.
New Concepts and Techniques in Pediatric Anesthesia: Vol. 20, No. 1 (March 2002) of Anesthesiology Clinics of North America (2002)

New Concepts and Techniques in Pediatric Anesthesia: Vol. 20, No. 1 (March 2002) of Anesthesiology Clinics of North America Linda J. Mason and Michelle S. Kim, editors Darien, Illinois: WB Saunders Company, 2002. ISBN 0889-8537; 246 pp, $154.00 per year. This book is an engaging volume that discusses practical concepts needed to take care of a child who is being anesthetized. The guest editors, along with 22 contributors, have done a wonderful job putting together a significant number of practice issues related to pediatric anesthesia in a comprehensive and clinically oriented pattern. This monograph consists of 12 chapters, including one on cardiac arrest and another addressing ethical dilemmas in pediatric surgical patients. The contributors have done a nice job of writing their chapter with minimal duplications. The chapters are easy to read and easily understood. The material is presented lucidly with appropriate references and data. The chapter on cardiac arrest reflects current practice and provides a quick algorithm for treatment of cardiac arrest in children. The chapter on psychological preparation of children prior to surgery imparts a good overview on the control of preoperative anxiety and the common clinical options available for anxiolysis prior to surgery in children. The chapter on the perioperative control of pain reviews current information regarding the use of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors, alpha 2 agonists, and opioids; the authors recommend using an integrated approach to achieve adequate analgesia. The chapter on pediatric regional anesthesia is well written and provides descriptions of the procedures and avoidable errors. There is even a chapter describing sedation and analgesia for pediatric patients outside the operating room or in the office. This is a good source for guidelines and policies issued by the ASA and JCAHO. This chapter also emphasizes the need for office-based anesthesia with its advantages and disadvantages. These reviewers especially enjoyed the last chapter on ethical dilemmas for pediatric surgical patients because all will occasionally face such situations, especially when they present as surgical emergencies. The contributors emphasize a detailed, stepwise approach to decision-making, including concern for legal and ethical issues surrounding minors with illustrative case examples. One should realize that this is not a textbook of pediatric anesthesia, but an update on important current practices. Thus, this issue of the Anesthesiology Clinics of North America is recommended because it provides a quick and easy reference and a valuable tool for newer concepts and techniques in pediatric anesthesia (the title of this issue).
Internet-Based Cognitive—Behavioral Self-Help Treatment of Tinnitus (2004)

The aim of this investigation was to evaluate Internet-based cognitive-behavioral therapy for tinnitus in a nonrandomized clinical effectiveness study with a sample of consecutive patients referred for psychological treatment (N = 77). Results were calculated at a group level on an intention-to-treat basis and showed significant reductions of distress on the Tinnitus Reaction Questionnaire (P. H. Wilson, J. Henry, M. Bowen, & G. Haralambous, 1991), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (A. S. Zigmond & R. P. Snaith, 1983), and on the Insomnia Severity Index (C. H. Bastien, A. Vallières, & C. M. Morin, 2001). A 3-month follow-up showed that patients remained improved. The dropout rate was 30%. Treatment compliance, external referral to the treatment, and number of earlier treatments for tinnitus were associated with positive outcome. The number of e-mails between therapist and patient concerning treatment problems was associated with worse outcome. Internet-based cognitive-behavioral therapy holds some promise as a treatment modality for tinnitus. Future research should focus on further controlled evaluations of the treatment technique and evaluate the cost-effectiveness compared to other forms of tinnitus treatments.
Uncoupling of the Diurnal Growth Program by Artificial Genome Relaxation in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 (2021)

Abstract In cyanobacteria DNA supercoiling varies over the diurnal light/dark cycle and is integrated with temporal programs of transcription and replication. We manipulated DNA supercoiling in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 by CRISPRi-based knock-down of gyrase subunits and overexpression of topoisomerase I (TopoI), and characterized the phenotypes. Cell division was blocked, most likely due to inhibition of genomic but not plasmid DNA replication. Cell growth continued to 4-5x of the wildtype cell volume, and metabolic flux was redirected towards glycogen in the TopoI overexpression strain. TopoI induction initially lead to down-regulation of GC-rich and up-regulation of AT-rich genes. The response quickly bifurcated and four diurnal co-expression cohorts (dawn, noon, dusk and night) all responded differently, in part with a circadian ( ≈ 24 h) pattern. A GC-rich region − 50 bp of transcription start sites is differentially enriched in these four cohorts. We suggest a model where energy- and gyrase-gated transcription of growth genes at the dark/light transition (dawn) generates DNA supercoiling which then facilitates DNA replication and initiates the diurnal transcriptome program.
Cis-Combination of the Classic perS and perL Mutations Results in Arrhythmic Drosophila with Ectopic Accumulation of Hyperphosphorylated PERIOD Protein (2007)

The 1st circadian "clock" gene identified was the X-linked period (per) gene in Drosophila melanogaster. In the pioneering initial report, Konopka and Benzer (1971) characterized 3 alleles of per that shortened (per (S); approximately 19 h), lengthened (per (L); approximately 29 h), or abolished (per (0)) circadian behavioral rhythms. They also showed that transheterozygotes carrying the per (S) and per (L) mutations exhibit robust behavioral rhythms with nearly normal periods of approximately 23 h, highlighting the semidominant nature of many clock mutants. In this study, per (0) flies bearing a doubly mutated per transgene that carries both the per (S) and per (L) alleles (per (0); per (S/L)) were analyzed for behavioral and molecular rhythms. Unlike singly mutated versions, the per (0);per ( S/L) transgenic flies are arrhythmic in constant dark conditions and exhibit little, if any, entrainment to daily light-dark cycles. In a wildtype per (+) background, expression of per ( S/L) abolishes behavioral rhythms, indicating that it functions in a transdominant negative fashion. Biochemical analysis of head extracts revealed that only hyperphosphorylated isoforms of the PERS/L protein are detected throughout a daily cycle, and the levels remain constant. Intriguingly, little if any PERS/L is observed in key pacemaker neurons that control daily activity rhythms, consistent with the notion that hyperphosphorylated isoforms of PER are unstable. Nonetheless, PERS/L is detected in ectopic cells in the brain, in which it exhibits an unusual localization, mainly staining the periphery of the nucleus. These results suggest that posttranslational mechanisms play a key role in limiting the accumulation of PER to specific cells. On a broader scope, our results indicate that the semidominant effects of period-altering alleles observed in trans are not necessarily preserved in the cis-configuration and that novel phenotypes can emerge.
A robust method to derive functional neural crest cells from human pluripotent stem cells. (2013)

Neural crest (NC) cells contribute to the development of many complex tissues of all three germ layers during embryogenesis, and its abnormal development accounts for several congenital birth defects. Generating NC cells-including specific subpopulations such as cranial, cardiac, and trunk NC cells-from human pluripotent stem cells will provide a valuable model system to study human development and disease. Here, we describe a rapid and robust NC differentiation method called "LSB-short" that is based on dual SMAD pathway inhibition. This protocol yields high percentages of NC cell populations from multiple human induced pluripotent stem and human embryonic stem cell lines in 8 days. The resulting cells can be propagated easily, retain NC marker expression over multiple passages, and can spontaneously differentiate into several NC-derived cell lineages, including smooth muscle cells, peripheral neurons, and Schwann cells. NC cells generated by this method represent cranial, cardiac and trunk NC subpopulations based on global gene expression analyses, are similar to in vivo analogues, and express a common set of NC alternative isoforms. Functionally, they are also able to migrate appropriately in response to chemoattractants such as SDF-1, FGF8b, and Wnt3a. By yielding NC cells that likely represent all NC subpopulations in a shorter time frame than other published methods, our LSB-short method provides an ideal model system for further studies of human NC development and disease.
N-t-Butyl hydroxylamine regulates heat shock-induced apoptosis in U937 cells (2005)

Heat shock may increase oxidative stress due to increased production of reactive oxygen species and/or the promotion of cellular oxidation events. Therefore, compounds that scavenge reactive oxygen species may regulate heat shock-induced cell death. Recently, it has been shown that the decomposition product of the spin-trapping agent alpha-phenyl-N-t-butylnitrone, N-t-butyl hydroxylamine (NtBHA), mimics alpha-phenyl-N-t-butylnitrone and is much more potent in delaying reactive oxygen species-associated senescence. We investigated the protective role of NtBHA against heat shock-induced apoptosis in U937 cells. Upon exposure to heat shock, there was a distinct difference between the untreated cells and the cells pre-treated with 0.1 mM NtBHA for 2 h in regard to apoptotic parameters, cellular redox status, and mitochondrial function. Upon exposure to heat shock, NtBHA pre-treated cells showed significant inhibition of apoptotic features such as activation of caspase-3, up-regulation of Bax, and down-regulation of Bcl-2 compared to untreated cells. This study indicates that NtBHA may play an important role in regulating the apoptosis induced by heat shock, presumably through scavenging of reactive oxygen species.
Influence of Health Behaviors and Occupational Stress on Prediabetic State among Male Office Workers (2018)

This study examined the influence of health behaviors and occupational stress on the prediabetic state of male office workers, and identified related risks and influencing factors. The study used a cross-sectional design and performed an integrative analysis on data from regular health checkups, health questionnaires, and a health behavior-related survey of employees of a company, using Spearman&rsquo;s correlation coefficients and multiple logistic regression analysis. The results showed significant relationships of prediabetic state with health behaviors and occupational stress. Among health behaviors, a diet without vegetables and fruits (Odds Ratio (OR) = 3.74, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 1.93⁻7.66) was associated with a high risk of prediabetic state. In the subscales on occupational stress, organizational system in the 4th quartile (OR = 4.83, 95% CI = 2.40⁻9.70) was significantly associated with an increased likelihood of prediabetic state. To identify influencing factors of prediabetic state, the multiple logistic regression was performed using regression models. The results showed that dietary habits (&beta; = 1.20, <i>p =</i> 0.002), total occupational stress score (&beta; = 1.33, <i>p =</i> 0.024), and organizational system (&beta; = 1.13, <i>p =</i> 0.009) were significant influencing factors. The present findings indicate that active interventions are needed at workplace for the systematic and comprehensive management of health behaviors and occupational stress that influence prediabetic state of office workers.
Risk profile, quality of life and care of patients with moderate and advanced CKD: The French CKD-REIN Cohort Study (2018)

Background: The French Chronic Kidney Disease-Renal Epidemiology and Information Network (CKD-REIN) cohort study was designed to investigate the determinants of prognosis and care of patients referred to nephrologists with moderate and advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD). We examined their baseline risk profile and experience. Methods: We collected bioclinical and patient-reported information from 3033 outpatients with CKD and estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFRs) of 15-60 mL/min/1.73 m2 treated at 40 nationally representative public and private facilities. Results: The patients' median age was 69 (60-76) years, 65% were men, their mean eGFR was 33 mL/min/1.73 m2, 43% had diabetes, 24% had a history of acute kidney injury (AKI) and 57% had uncontrolled blood pressure (BP; >140/90 mmHg). Men had worse risk profiles than women and were more likely to be past or current smokers (73% versus 34%) and have cardiovascular disease (59% versus 42%), albuminuria >30 mg/mmol (or proteinuria > 50) (40% versus 30%) (all P < 0.001) and a higher median risk of end-stage renal disease within 5 years, predicted by the kidney failure risk equation {12% [interquartile range (IQR) 3-37%] versus 9% [3-31%], P = 0.008}. During the previous year, 60% of patients reported one-to-two nephrologist visits and four or more general practitioner visits; only 25% saw a dietician and 75% were prescribed five or more medications daily. Physical and mental quality of life (QoL) were poor, with scores <50/100. Conclusions: The CKD-REIN study highlights high-risk profiles of cohort members and identifies several priorities, including improving BP control and dietary counselling and increasing doctors' awareness of AKI, polypharmacy and QoL.
Vaccinia Virus Infection in Monkeys, Brazilian Amazon (2010)

To detect orthopoxvirus in the Brazilian Amazon, we conducted a serosurvey of 344 wild animals. Neutralizing antibodies against orthopoxvirus were detected by plaque-reduction neutralizing tests in 84 serum samples. Amplicons from 6 monkey samples were sequenced. These amplicons identified vaccinia virus genetically similar to strains from bovine vaccinia outbreaks in Brazil.
Nanotechnology as a Tool to help Macromolecules OvercomingBiological Barriers (2020)

The continuously improved understanding of the biological barriers and the molecular biology associated to pathological conditions is paving the way for a more comprehensive and rational design of protein formulations based on the use of nanotechnology. Our laboratory, with a long-track experience in the formulation of macromolecules using polymer nanoparticles, has significantly contributed to this field. As an example, in the 90's we were the first to report that nanoparticles made of either PLA-PEG or chitosan were efficient vehicles for the transmucosal delivery of proteins and antigens. The result of our subsequent efforts is an array of nanotechnologies that can be used to deliver proteins across mucosal surfaces, and, also, to facilitate their intracellular delivery following parenteral administration.
Brook for GPUs (2004)

In this paper, we present Brook for GPUs, a system for general-purpose computation on programmable graphics hardware. Brook extends C to include simple data-parallel constructs, enabling the use of the GPU as a streaming co-processor. We present a compiler and runtime system that abstracts and virtualizes many aspects of graphics hardware. In addition, we present an analysis of the effectiveness of the GPU as a compute engine compared to the CPU, to determine when the GPU can outperform the CPU for a particular algorithm. We evaluate our system with five applications, the SAXPY and SGEMV BLAS operators, image segmentation, FFT, and ray tracing. For these applications, we demonstrate that our Brook implementations perform comparably to hand-written GPU code and up to seven times faster than their CPU counterparts.
Take-Home Trial Comparing Fast Fourier Transformation-Based and Filter Bank-Based Cochlear Implant Speech Coding Strategies (2017)

Previous studies have demonstrated no improved or deteriorated speech intelligibility with the HiResolution Fidelity 120™ speech coding strategy (HiResF120) over the original HiRes strategy. Improved spectral and deteriorated temporal sensitivities have been shown, making it plausible that the beneficial effect in the spectral domain was offset by the worsened temporal sensitivity. We hypothesize that the implementation of fast Fourier transform (FFT) processing, instead of the traditionally used bandpass filters, explains the reduction of temporal sensitivity. In this study, spectral ripple discrimination, temporal modulation detection, and speech intelligibility in noise were assessed in a two-week take-home trial with 3 speech coding strategies: one with conventional bandpass filters (HiRes), one with FFT-based filters (HiRes FFT), and one with FFT-based filters and current steering (HiRes Optima). One participant dropped out due to discomfort with both research programs. The 10 remaining participants performed equally well on all tasks with all three speech coding strategies, implying that FFT processing does not change the ability of CI recipients to discriminate spectral or temporal information or speech understanding.
Definite Identifiers of Silver Dye Bleach Prints (2022)

Among diverse contemporary colour prints, silver dye bleach prints and chromogenic prints are difficult to differentiate. They share similar visual characteristics and can use identical supports and surface finishes. However, their image-forming dyes differ, resulting in disparate conservation and restoration needs. This study aimed to determine practical measures for unambiguously differentiating between these two print types. Identifying characteristics—referred to here as ‘identifiers’—were collected from popular conservation sources and a mixed-method questionnaire survey. The accuracy and feasibility of these identifiers were evaluated against known prints sets. Examinations made use of water droplets, various light sources, digital 3D microscopy, and spectrophotometry. Results dichotomised these identifiers into ‘definite’ or ‘indefinite’ with ‘definite identifiers’ being able to discriminate independently. Only five out of 23 entries were termed definite identifiers. Azo dyes—image dyes of silver dye bleach prints—were established as the only constant definite identifiers of this print type. These findings were integrated into a flowchart to guide differentiation with the main recommendation being to deviate from indefinite identifiers to save time and effort. Parts of this work have been submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for a Master of Science degree at the University of Amsterdam in 2020.
Differential developmental trajectories of magnetic susceptibility in human brain gray and white matter over the lifespan (2013)

As indicated by several recent studies, magnetic susceptibility of the brain is influenced mainly by myelin in the white matter and by iron deposits in the deep nuclei. Myelination and iron deposition in the brain evolve both spatially and temporally. This evolution reflects an important characteristic of normal brain development and ageing. In this study, we assessed the changes of regional susceptibility in the human brain in vivo by examining the developmental and ageing process from 1 to 83 years of age. The evolution of magnetic susceptibility over this lifespan was found to display differential trajectories between the gray and the white matter. In both cortical and subcortical white matter, an initial decrease followed by a subsequent increase in magnetic susceptibility was observed, which could be fitted by a Poisson curve. In the gray matter, including the cortical gray matter and the iron-rich deep nuclei, magnetic susceptibility displayed a monotonic increase that can be described by an exponential growth. The rate of change varied according to functional and anatomical regions of the brain. For the brain nuclei, the age-related changes of susceptibility were in good agreement with the findings from R2* measurement. Our results suggest that magnetic susceptibility may provide valuable information regarding the spatial and temporal patterns of brain myelination and iron deposition during brain maturation and ageing.
Relationship of Processes and Structures of Care in General Surgery to Postoperative Outcomes: A Qualitative Analysis (2007)

Risk-adjusted morbidity is higher in Veterans Affairs hospitals that are affiliated with university medical centers. These findings mandate additional study to identify the exact factors responsible for this increased morbidity.