gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of topical ivermectin and impact on quality of life in patients with papulopustular rosacea: A systematic review and meta‐analysis (2019)

Rosacea is a chronic dermatosis which affects negatively patients' quality of life (QoL). There is shortage of high-quality evidence comparing the efficacy of ivermectin cream (IVM) 1% with other available topical choices. Besides, the well-documented impaired of self-esteem and stigmatization of rosacea patients make essential to address which treatment provides the greatest psychological and social benefit. Our objective is to critically review and appraise the efficacy of IVM 1% in PPR and the impact in patients' QoL against other options. We carried out a literature search from PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, and clinicaltrials.gov using the following descriptors: "rosacea" AND "ivermectin." Efficacy was assessed with the Investigator Global Assessment (IGA), and the impact on QoL was based on the DLQI score. Six studies from four published articles were included. The meta-analysis estimated that more participants achieved "success" (IGA ≤ 1) and "complete clearance" (IGA = 0) with IVM1%. The overall effect estimate for IGA ≤ 1 was: 1.56 [1.23-1.97], whereas for IGA = 0, it was: 1.72 [1.40-2.11]. The rate of participants achieving lower DLQI score, and thus, better QoL was with IVM 1%. The overall effect estimate was: 1.71 [1.34-2.18] at week 16# and 1.64 [1.38-1.94] at week 52#. This meta-analysis confirms IVM 1% cream as the most effective topical treatment and it satisfies the impairment of social life with sustained better QoL. Further studies extending this period of remission are warranted, as well as researches about the potential application of this agent combined with other agents. KEY POINTS: Question: What is the current efficacy of ivermectin versus other choices in papulopustular rosacea and its impact on patients' quality of life? Findings: In this meta-analysis, ivermectin showed higher efficacy than metronidazol, azelaic acid, and placebo measured by Investigator Global Assessment. Parallely, the DLQI score highlighted that this agent was more beneficious in both short and long-term. Meaning: This meta-analysis gives strong evidence that ivermectin is the most effective topical treatment. Besides, this agent provides the greatest psychological benefit as it satisfies the stigmatization of rosacea patients as well as the impairment of social and working life with a sustained better QoL above other alternatives.
Plasma norepinephrine response to exercise before and after training in humans (1981)

Plasma norepinephrine (NE) concentration was measured by means of a sensitive radioenzymatic assay in blood collected from an antecubital vein in 10 healthy male subjects (37 +/- 2 yr, mean +/- SE). The subjects were evaluated at rest and during exercise before and after a 20-wk training program on bicycle ergometer (three 30-min sessions per week at 80% of maximal heart rate). Following the training program, maximal oxygen uptake increased significantly from 33 +/- 2 to 42 +/- 1 ml . kg-1 . min-1. Resting plasma NE remained unchanged after training (167 +/- 38 before and 185 +/- 29 pg . ml-1 after training). For a given absolute work load (735 +/- 51 kg . m. min-1) the sympathetic nervous response was lower after training as reflected by the decrease in NE concentration (1,371 +/- 286 vs. 687 +/- 64 pg . ml-1). At the same relative work load (heart rate: 158 +/- 5 before and 157 +/- 5 beats . min-1 after training) plasma NE concentration was unchanged after training (1,371 +/- 286 vs. 1,729 +/0 371 pg . ml-1). Results from the present study show that the sympathetic nervous activity is closely linked to the exercise demands and confirm earlier suggestions that it remains constant in relation to the relative work load.
Sequential Counterfactual Risk Minimization (2023)

Counterfactual Risk Minimization (CRM) is a framework for dealing with the logged bandit feedback problem, where the goal is to improve a logging policy using offline data. In this paper, we explore the case where it is possible to deploy learned policies multiple times and acquire new data. We extend the CRM principle and its theory to this scenario, which we call "Sequential Counterfactual Risk Minimization (SCRM)." We introduce a novel counterfactual estimator and identify conditions that can improve the performance of CRM in terms of excess risk and regret rates, by using an analysis similar to restart strategies in accelerated optimization methods. We also provide an empirical evaluation of our method in both discrete and continuous action settings, and demonstrate the benefits of multiple deployments of CRM.
Surface generation and detection of coupled fiber-matrix mode acoustic wave propagation in fiber-reinforced composites (1986)

A technique is described that makes it possible to transmit and receive bulk ultrasonic waves launched from the same surface of a composite sheet by means of transducers mounted on variable angle blocks. A straightforward approach to measure the velocity and attenuation of this wave is presented. A bulk compressional wave of 930,000 cm/sec velocity was launched and received in this manner in an 8-ply unidirectional T-300-5208 epoxy composite. Preliminary results indicate that parameters associated with this wave might be sensitive to accumulated damage in a composite; thus, the technique has a potential for NDE in structures made from composite materials.
Succinonitrile as a Corrosion Inhibitor of Copper Current Collectors for Overdischarge Protection of Lithium Ion Batteries (2014)

Succinonitrile (SN) is investigated as an electrolyte additive for copper corrosion inhibition to provide overdischarge (OD) protection to lithium ion batteries (LIBs). The anodic Cu corrosion, occurring above 3.5 V (vs Li/Li(+)) in conventional LIB electrolytes, is suppressed until a voltage of 4.5 V is reached in the presence of SN. The corrosion inhibition by SN is ascribed to the formation of an SN-induced passive layer, which spontaneously develops on the copper surface during the first anodic scan. The passive layer is composed mainly of Cu(SN)2PF6 units, which is evidenced by Raman spectroscopy and electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance measurements. The effects of the SN additive on OD protection are confirmed by using 750 mAh pouch-type full cells of LiCoO2 and graphite with lithium metal as a reference electrode. Addition of SN completely prevents corrosion of the copper current collector in the full cell configuration, thereby tuning the LIB chemistry to be inherently immune to the OD abuses.
Size‐Dependent Optical Properties of MgO Nanocubes (2005)

Meet on the edge: The relative concentration of corner and edge ions in a cubelike nanoparticle critically depends on the size of the nanoparticle. On MgO nanocubes this ratio is reflected by their optical properties (see picture).
On modeling and simulation of game theory-based defense mechanisms against DoS and DDoS attacks (2010)

As cyber attacks continue to grow in number, scope, and severity, the cyber security problem has become increasingly important and challenging to both academic researchers and industry practitioners. We explore the applicability of game theoretic approaches to the cyber security problem with focus on active bandwidth depletion attacks. We model the interaction between the attacker and the defender as a two-player non-zero-sum game in two attack scenarios: (i) one single attacking node for Denial of Service (DoS) and (ii) multiple attacking nodes for Distributed DoS (DDoS). The defender's challenge is to determine optimal firewall settings to block rogue traffics while allowing legitimate ones. Our analysis considers the worst-case scenario where the attacker also attempts to find the most effective sending rate or botnet size. In either case, we build both static and dynamic game models to compute the Nash equilibrium that represents the best strategy of the defender. We validate the effectiveness of our game theoretic defense mechanisms via extensive simulation-based experiments using NS-3.
Manufacture and use of nanomaterials: current status in the UK and global trends (2006)

This paper provides an overview of the production and use of nanomaterials (NMs), particularly in the UK. Currently, relatively few companies in the UK are identifiable as NM manufacturers, the main emphasis being the bulk markets in metals and metal oxides, and some niche markets such as carbon nanotubes and quantum dots. NM manufacturing in the UK does not reflect the global emphasis on fullerenes, nanotubes and fibres. Some assumptions have been made about the types of NM that are likely to be imported into the UK, which currently include fullerenes, modified fullerenes and other carbon-based NMs including nanotubes. Many university departments, spin-offs and private companies have developed processes for the manufacture of NMs but may only be producing small quantities for research and development (R&D) purposes. However, some have the potential to scale up to produce large quantities. The nanotechnology industry in the UK has strong R&D backup from universities and related institutions. This review has covered R&D trends at such institutions, and appropriate information has been added to a searchable database. While several companies are including NMs in their products, only a few (e.g. manufacturers of paints, coatings, cosmetics, catalysts, polymer composites) are using nanoparticles (NPs) in any significant quantities. However, this situation is likely to change rapidly. There is a need to collect more information about exposure to NPs in both manufacturing and user scenarios. As the market grows, and as manufacturers switch from the micro- to the nanoscale, the potential for exposure will increase. More research is required to quantify any risks to workers and consumers.
Chromosomal gains and losses in uveal melanomas detected by comparative genomic hybridization. (1994)

Eleven uveal melanomas were analyzed using comparative genomic hybridization (CGH). The most abundant genetic changes were loss of chromosome 3, overrepresentation of 6p, loss of 6q, and multiplication of 8q. The smallest overrepresented regions on 6p and 8q were 6pter-->p21 and 8q24-->qter, respectively. Several additional gains and losses of chromosome segments were repeatedly observed, the most frequent one being loss of 9p (three cases). Monosomy 3 appeared to be a marker for ciliary body involvement. CGH data were compared with the results of chromosome banding. Some alterations, e.g., gains of 6p and losses of 6q, were observed with higher frequencies after CGH, while others, e.g., 9p deletions, were detected only by CGH. The data suggest some similarities of cytogenetic alterations between cutaneous and uveal melanoma. In particular, the 9p deletions are of interest due to recent reports about the location of a putative tumor-suppressor gene for cutaneous malignant melanoma in this region.
Electrical and optical characterization of extended defects in SIMOX structures (1996)

A novel electron beam induced current (EBIC) technique, which utilizes two adjacent front contacts (one Schottky and one Ohmic), has been developed to characterize electrically active extended defects in the silicon overlayer of SIMOX structures. The results have been compared with photoluminescence measurements on the same samples. EBIC measurements on n-type SIMOX layers show that dislocations and precipitates present in the overlayer act as recombination centres. PL spectra exhibit dislocation-related emission, the intensity of which correlates with the change in density of extended defects measured by EBIC as the experiments are scanned across the wafer. P-type SIMOX material is found to contain stacking fault tetrahedra and pyramidals at the upper silicon - oxide interface and threading dislocations extending across the Si overlayer, but the PL emission of these defects is negligible. Thinning the overlayer by a sacrificial oxidation process creates oxidation-induced stacking faults in the overlayer, which give rise to strong dislocation-related PL emission. It is demonstrated that electrically active extended defects in the silicon overlayers of SIMOX structures are also optically active, and that PL measurements can provide a valuable insight into the electrical activity of the thin overlayers in these structures.
Identification of the Substrate Access Portal of 5-Lipoxygenase (2015)

The overproduction of inflammatory lipid mediators derived from arachidonic acid contributes to asthma and cardiovascular diseases, among other pathologies. Consequently, the enzyme that initiates the synthesis of pro-inflammatory leukotrienes, 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX), is a target for drug design. The crystal structure of 5-LOX revealed a fully encapsulated active site; thus the point of substrate entry is not known. We asked whether a structural motif, a "cork" present in 5-LOX but absent in other mammalian lipoxygenases, might be ejected to allow substrate access. Our results indicate that reduction of cork volume facilitates access to the active site. However, if cork entry into the site is obstructed, enzyme activity is significantly compromised. The results support a model in which the "cork" that shields the active site in the absence of substrate serves as the active site portal, but the "corking" amino acid Phe-177 plays a critical role in providing a fully functional active site. Thus, the more appropriate metaphor for this structural motif is a "twist-and-pour" cap. Additional mutagenesis data are consistent with a role for His-600, deep in the elongated cavity, in positioning the substrate for catalysis.
Sensory computations in the cuneate nucleus of macaques (2021)

A bstract Tactile nerve fibers fall into a few classes that can be readily distinguished based on their spatiotemporal response properties. Because nerve fibers reflect local skin deformations, they individually carry ambiguous signals about object features. In contrast, cortical neurons exhibit heterogeneous response properties that reflect computations applied to convergent input from multiple classes of afferents, which confer to them a selectivity for behaviorally relevant features of objects. The conventional view is that these complex response properties arise within the cortex itself, implying that sensory signals are not processed to any significant extent in the two intervening structures – the cuneate nucleus (CN) and the thalamus. To test this hypothesis, we recorded the responses evoked in CN to a battery of stimuli that have been extensively used to characterize tactile coding in both the periphery and cortex, including skin indentations, vibrations, random dot patterns, and scanned edges. We found that CN responses are more similar to their cortical counterparts than they are to their inputs: CN neurons receive input from multiple classes of nerve fibers, they have spatially complex receptive fields, and they exhibit selectivity for object features. Contrary to consensus, then, CN plays a key role in processing tactile information. S ignificance Perception is the outcome of the sequential processing of sensory signals at multiple stages along the neuraxis. The conventional view is that tactile signals are processed predominantly in the cerebral cortex. We tested this view by investigating the response properties of neurons in the cuneate nucleus (CN), the first potential stage of processing along the primary touch neuraxis. We found that CN responses more nearly resemble those of cortical neurons than they do those of nerve fibers: CN neurons have spatially complex receptive fields reflecting convergent input from multiple classes of nerve fibers and exhibit a selectivity for object features, absent in the nerve. We conclude that CN plays a key, early role in the processing of tactile information.
Involvement of Endothelial Apoptosis Underlying Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease–like Phenotype in Adiponectin-null Mice: Implications for Therapy (2011)

Adiponectin-knockout mice develop progressive chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-like phenotype with systemic inflammation and extrapulmonary phenotypes. Hypoadiponectinemia could thus play a critical role in the progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and concomitant comorbidities through endothelial dysfunction. Together, adiponectin could be a novel target for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease therapy.
Direction Finding Technique Based on Poynting Vector Magnitude for Pantograph Arcing (2019)

Pantograph arcing can create many types of problems to railways, inclusing EMC issues. In the present work we propose a direction finding technique aiming at the localization of the arcing event with low computational load. This technique is based on the estimation of the ratio of magnitude or absolute value of the Poynting vector components. In case of pantograph arcing it can be applied after measuring only two magnetic field components, and therefore it is expected to be independent on weather conditions.
Dynamic histone acetylation in floral volatile synthesis and emission in petunia flowers (2021)

Biosynthesis of secondary metabolites relies on primary metabolic pathways to provide precursors, energy, and cofactors, thus requiring coordinated regulation of primary and secondary metabolic networks. However, to date, it remains largely unknown how this coordination is achieved. Using Petunia hybrida flowers, which emit high levels of phenylpropanoid/benzenoid volatile organic compounds (VOCs), we uncovered genome-wide dynamic deposition of histone H3 lysine 9 acetylation (H3K9ac) during anthesis as an underlying mechanism to coordinate primary and secondary metabolic networks. The observed epigenome reprogramming is accompanied by transcriptional activation at gene loci involved in primary metabolic pathways that provide precursor phenylalanine, as well as secondary metabolic pathways to produce volatile compounds. We also observed transcriptional repression among genes involved in alternative phenylpropanoid branches that compete for metabolic precursors. We show that GNAT family histone acetyltransferase(s) (HATs) are required for the expression of genes involved in VOC biosynthesis and emission, by using chemical inhibitors of HATs, and by knocking down a specific HAT gene, ELP3, through transient RNAi. Together, our study supports that regulatory mechanisms at chromatin level may play an essential role in activating primary and secondary metabolic pathways to regulate VOC synthesis in petunia flowers.
Specificity of the control of tumor formation by the blastocyst. (1982)

An assay to determine the mechanism of regulation of embryonal carcinoma cells by the blastocyst, which is based on a comparison of tumors produced when the cancer cells are cloned alone or after incorporation into blastocysts, was refined by labeling embryonal carcinoma cells with fluorescent microspheres and by following their fate after injection into the blastocysts. Through the use of the new techniques, it was observed that cells of one line of nullipotent embryonal carcinoma were controlled at the 50% level, those from another were not controlled, and those from a multipotent but undifferentiated line were controlled in almost absolute fashion. Single Sarcoma 180 of L1210 leukemia cells were not controlled when injected into the blastocele, but C1300 neuroblastoma cells were partially controlled. None of these tumors have a normal cellular counterpart in the blastocyst, as does embryonal carcinoma, but neurulation follows blastulation by only a few days, so that the neuroblastoma cells may be regulated at that time. Parietal yolk sac carcinoma cells, which have a counterpart in the late blastocyst, were not controlled. On the basis of these data, it is postulated that, if one embryonic field can regulate its closely related cancer, then there may be an embryonic field capable of regulating each carcinoma.
Stellenwert von FDG-PET-gestützten Volumenalgorithmen zur Vorhersage des Ansprechens auf die Therapie bei Kindern und Jugendlichen mit Hodgkin Lymphom (HL) (2010)

Ziele: Stellenwert von FDG-PET-gestützten Volumenalgorithmen zur Vorhersage des Ansprechens auf die Therapie bei Kindern und Jugendlichen mit Hodgkin Lymphom (HL). Methode: Retrospektive Analyse von 41 Kinder mit HL (15,4±2,4 Jahre, 20 Jungen, 21Mädchen; noduläre Sklerose, n=30; gemischtzellig, n=9; lymphozytenreich, n=2; Follow up, Ø46 Monate). PET Untersuchungen wurden zum Staging (PET-1, n=41,) und nach 2 Zyklen Chemotherapie (PET-2, n=36,) durchgeführt. Als Zielläsion wurde die jeweils höchste pathologische Anreicherung (maximal standardized uptalke value [SUVmax]) in jedem Patienten gewertet. Zusätzlich wurde das Lymphomvolumen (PET_vol) und der SUVmax/mean der Zielläsion ermittelt. Die PET-Volumina und SUVmean sind mittels 40% Schwellenwertanalyse (PET_vol_th_40, SUVmean40) und tumor-to-background Algorithmus (PET_vol_th_auto, SUVmean_auto)(ROVER®, ABX, Radeberg) errechnet worden. Die prozentuale Volumenänderung im Verlauf (dPET_vol) sowie das Produkt aus Volumen und SUV (dPET_vol_SUV) und die Volumina aus CT/MRT (CIM) sind hinsichtlich des Progression-Free-Survival mit ROC-Analysen korreliert worden (p&lt;0.05). Ergebnis: Bei 3 Patienten traten Rezidiverkrankungen nach Therapieende auf. Das alleinige PET-Lymphomvolumen erlaubt eine signifikante Unterscheidung zwischen Respondern (R) und Non-Respondern (NR) (dPET_vol_th_auto, p=0.01; AUC=0.89 &gt; dPET_vol_th_40, p=0.02; AUC=0.86). Die Kombinationen aus PET-Volumen, SUVmax bzw. SUVmean und dem zeitlichen Verlauf sind diesen überlegen (dPET_vol_th_auto_SUVmax, p=0.007; AUC=0.92 &gt; dPET_vol_th40_SUVmax, p=0.009; AUC=0.91 &gt; dPET_vol_autoSUVmean, p=0.01; AUC 0.89=dPET_vol_th40_SUVmean, p=0.01; AUC 0.88). Keine signifikante Trennung von R und NR war durch die Analyse der CIM-Volumina im zeitlichen Verlauf möglich (p=0.30, AUC 0.74). Schlussfolgerung: Die metabolische PET-Volumetrie sowie die Volumenprodukte erlauben eine akkurate Differenzierung von Repondern und Non-Respondern beim pädiatrischen HL.
Small Scale Wind Emulator As An Educational Tool For The Study Of Wind Turbine Systems (2021)

This paper presents a prototype that allows to configure in a computer the typical wind conditions for some period of the year, as well as to manually control the electric motor that generates the airflow for the required tests of small-scale wind turbines using a variable speed drive. The system is focused on supplying the artificial resource to the renewable energy system of the Universidad Distrital, which is currently used in practice by coupling a DC motor to the mechanical input of the wind turbine, which is varied in speed with a voltage source to see the changes in the voltage generated at the output of the wind turbine, which is not a true approximation to the wind systems involving the stochastic model of reality. For this reason, an integrated solution was implemented by using an embedded system to communicate an algorithm developed in Matlab software and an adjustable speed drive (ASD) to activate a wind extractor to closely reproduce real wind conditions for testing wind turbine equipment and electronic converters for small and medium scale renewable energies.
Electrochemical Synthesis of Graphene/MnO<SUB>2</SUB> Nano-Composite for Application to Supercapacitor Electrode (2016)

Graphene/MnO2 nano-composite was electrochemically synthesized for application to an electrode material for electrochemical supercapacitors. The nanosized needle-like MnO2 was obtained by use of a graphene substrate. The prepared composite exhibited an ideal supercapacitive behavior. A capacitance retention of 94% was achieved with a 4 h deposition time (an initial capacitance of 574 mF/cm2 at a scan rate of 20 mV/s) and the retention declined with further deposition time. The results demonstrate enhanced contact between the electrode and electrolyte and improved power density as an electrochemical capacitor.