gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Training Frankenstein's Creature to Stack: HyperTree Architecture Search. (2018)

We propose HyperTrees for the low cost automatic design of multiple-input neural network models. Much like how Dr. Frankenstein's creature was assembled from pieces before he came to life in the eponymous book, HyperTrees combine parts of other architectures to optimize for a new problem domain. We compare HyperTrees to rENAS, our extension of Efficient Neural Architecture Search (ENAS). To evaluate these architectures we introduce the CoSTAR Block Stacking Dataset for the benchmarking of neural network models. We utilize 5.1 cm colored blocks and introduce complexity with a stacking task, a bin providing wall obstacles, dramatic lighting variation, and object ambiguity in the depth space. We demonstrate HyperTrees and rENAS on this dataset by predicting full 3D poses semantically for the purpose of grasping and placing specific objects. Inputs to the network include RGB images, the current gripper pose, and the action to take. Predictions with our best model are accurate to within 30 degrees 90% of the time, 4 cm 72% of the time, and have an average test error of 3.3 cm and 12.6 degrees. The dataset contains more than 10,000 stacking attempts and 1 million frames of real data. Code and dataset instructions are available at github.com/jhu-lcsr/costar_plan .
Engineering a human skin equivalent to study dermis remodelling and epidermis senescence in vitro after UVA exposure (2018)

Utra Violet type A (UVA) exposure strongly affects the ageing of human skin by modifying both epidermis and dermis and their cross talk as well. The possibility to get a deep understanding in vitro of such crucial mechanism would have a huge impact in the development of antiageing compounds. Here, we present a full thickness model of human skin equivalent formed by a millimeter-sized dermis completely composed of fibroblasts embedded in their own extracellular matrix. We show that such endogenous nature of the dermis compartment allows the replication of the complexity of the mutual interactions occurring between cellular and extracellular components of the skin under UVA exposure: (a) oxidative stress formation in the whole tissue (dermis and epidermis); (b) senescence of germinative layer of epidermal tissue in terms of p63, ki67, and activated caspase-3 regulation; (c) modification of the collagenous network architecture in the dermis compartment. By using this human skin model, it is possible to study a widely shared assumptions not yet proved in vitro such the effect of UVA on the self-renewal capability of skin stem cells.
Role of calcium in hormone‐independent and ‐resistant breast cancer (2021)

Approximately one-third of estrogen receptor (ER) positive breast tumors fail to respond to or become resistant to hormonal therapy. Although the mechanisms responsible for hormone resistance are not completely understood, resistance is associated with alterations in ERα; overexpression of proteins that interact with the receptor; and hormone-independent activation of the receptor by growth factor signal transduction pathways. Our previous studies show that in estrogen dependent breast cancer cells, activation of the epidermal growth factor signaling pathway increases intracellular calcium which binds to and activates ERα through sites in the ligand-binding domain of the receptor and that treatment with extracellular calcium increases the concentration of intracellular calcium which activates ERα and induces hormone-independent cell growth. The present study asked whether overexpression of calcium channels contributes to the hormone-independent and -resistant phenotype of breast cancer cells and whether clinically used calcium channel blockers reverse hormone independence and resistance. The results show that hormone-independent and -resistant cells overexpress calcium channels, have high concentrations of intracellular calcium, overexpress estrogen responsive genes and, as expected, grow in the absence of estradiol and that treatment with calcium channel blockers decreased the concentration of intracellular calcium, the expression of estrogen responsive genes and cell growth. More importantly, in hormone-resistant cells, treatment that combined a calcium channel blocker with an antiestrogen reversed resistance to the antiestrogen.
Changes in transfer ribonucleic acids of Bacillus subtilis during different growth phases (1976)

The transfer ribonucleic acids (tRNAs) of B. subtilis at different growth phases are examined for changes in the composition and the methylation of minor constituents. The composition of the tRNAs indicates about equal amounts of adenosine and uridine, and of guanosine and cytidine. About 3-4 residues are present as modified bases in the average tRNA molecule. The net composition of tRNAs appears to remain unaltered during different growth phases. In vitro methylation of tRNAs indicates lack of methyl groups in both exponentially growing cells and spores. In vivo methylation studies show tRNA methylation occurs during the stationary phase in the absence of net tRNA synthesis. Thus, both in vitro and in vivo methylation indicate that the tRNAs in exponentially growing cells do not contain their full complement of modified bases. More complete modification is noted in tRNAs from stationary cells or spores. Hence, tRNA mofifications in general are preserved with fidelity even in the dormant spore but the possibility is left open that specific modifications of selected isoacceptors of tRNAs may occur.
On Comparing Crystal Growth Rates: Para Substituted Carboxylic Acids (2023)

In this contribution the single crystal growth rates of four para substituted benzoic acids measured in toluene and isopropyl alcohol solutions are reported. Major objectives of the work have been to consider how such data might be correctly compared and how such comparisons may be related to underlying packing arrangements in the respective crystal structures. Morphological determinations formed an important part of the overall study. Consideration has been given to various practical issues arising from the varying solubility of the materials and growth rate dispersion among the measured crystal seeds. This provides suggestions as how best to measure growth rates for this purpose. The ultimate aims of such work have been to explore connections between growth and nucleation kinetics as well as to consider what such a data set might predict about the kinetics of other related molecules.
Temporal logic motion planning in unknown environments (2013)

In this paper, we consider a robot motion planning problem from a specification given as a syntactically co-safe linear temporal logic formula over a set of properties known to be satisfied at the regions of an unknown environment. The robot is assumed to be equipped with deterministic motion and accurate sensing capabilities. The environment is assumed to be partitioned into a finite number of identical square cells. By bringing together tools from formal verification, graph theory, and grid-based exploration, we develop an incremental algorithm that makes progress towards satisfying the specification while the robot discovers the environment using its local sensors. We show that the algorithm is sound and complete. We illustrate the feasibility and effectiveness of our approach through a simulated case study.
ChemInform Abstract: Genetic and Biochemical Studies on the Regulatory Mechanism of the Self‐Resistance and Biosynthesis of Antibiotics (2001)

Abstract ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 100 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
Warning: not all carriers of pathogenic mutations in desmosomal genes should follow the same medical advices! (2020)

This work was supported by the Ricerca Corrente Funding Scheme of the Italian Ministry of Health (to S.G.P.). The Italian Ministry of Research and University Dipartimenti di Eccellenza 2018–2022 grant to the Molecular Medicine Department (University of Pavia).
1550 nm ErAs:In(Al)GaAs large area photoconductive emitters (2012)

We report on high power terahertz (THz) emission from ErAs-enhanced In0.52Al0.48As-In0.53Ga0.47As superlattices for operation at 1550 nm. ErAs clusters act as efficient recombination centers. The optical power is distributed among a large, microstructured area in order to reduce the local optical intensity. A THz field strength of 0.7 V/cm (1 V/cm peak-to-peak) at 100 mW average optical power has been obtained, with emission up to about 4 THz in air, limited by the detection crystal used in the system.
Ownership of the Means of Production (2016)

Private property creates monopoly power, harming allocative efficiency. Common ownership can restore allocative efficiency, but it destroys incentives for investments in the capital value common to all potential owners of an asset. Property rights should thus balance ex-ante capital investment and ex-post allocative efficiency through partial common ownership. We propose self-assessed property taxes, with a universal right to force a sale at the self-assessed value, as a simple mechanism for implementing partial property rights in dynamic asset markets with many potential buyers. We loosely calibrate a model of self-assessed taxation to the US housing markets and find that a 5-10% annual tax rate is robustly near optimal, implying collectivization of a majority of the capital stock and increasing welfare by approximately 6%. However, the simplest application of self-assessed taxation may be to assets with limited capital investment opportunities and administratively assigned property rights, such as radio spectrum or internet addresses, where taxes should be set equal to the rate of annual asset turnover.
Task completion with partially-failed manipulators (2010)

An effort to maintain the availability of partially failed manipulator is addressed based on redundant trajectories obtained by primitive constraints. The objective is to facilitate the existing manipulators to continue their point to point motion tasks when a non catastrophic fault occurs into a joint. The fault is assumed as a joint locked failure. This is achieved through fault to primitive constraints mapping which gives the primitive constraints due to the faults. Then they are applied to update the manipulator constraints for the trajectory planning. Then it purposes a new trajectory in the case of availability. Finally the method is applied for a 6DOF manipulator and validated under a fault scenario within a simulation study and the results are presented.
ChemInform Abstract: Synthesis of 2‐Aminoquinazoline‐4(3H)‐one Derivatives as Potential Potassium Channel Openers. (2000)

Abstract ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 100 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
Phylogenetic and physiological characterization of a heterotrophic, chemolithoautotrophic Thiothrix strain isolated from activated sludge (2003)

The sheathed filamentous bacterium known as strain CT3, isolated by micromanipulation from an activated sludge treatment plant in Italy, is a member of the genus Thiothrix in the gamma-Proteobacteria according to 16S rDNA sequence analysis. The closest phylogenetic neighbours of strain CT3 are strains I and Q(T), which were also isolated from activated sludge and belong to the species Thiothrix fructosivorans. These strains have respectively 99.2 and 99.4 % similarity to CT3 by 16S rDNA sequence comparison. CT3 shows 63-67 % DNA-DNA hybridization with strain I, which is the only currently viable strain of T. fructosivorans. CT3 is the second strain in the genus Thiothrix that has been shown to be capable of growing autotrophically with reduced sulfur compounds as the sole energy source; autotrophy was also confirmed in strain I. The first reported chemolithoautotrophic isolate of this genus was a strain of 'Thiothrix ramosa' that was isolated from a hydrogen sulfide spring and is morphologically distinguishable from all other described strains of Thiothrix, including CT3. CT3 is an aerobic organism that is non-fermentative, not capable of denitrification and able to grow heterotrophically. Autotrophy in the genus Thiothrix should be investigated more fully to better define the taxonomy of this genus.
Percutaneous femoropopliteal graft placement. (1993)

Femoropopliteal bypass surgery is now recommended for the treatment of long-segment or diffuse superficial femoral artery disease. The authors describe a technique for percutaneous placement of a prosthetic femoropopliteal graft. The technique has been accomplished with conventional polytetrafluoroethylene graft material and a variety of implantation techniques. Technical success was achieved in eight patients who underwent graft placement. Grafts up to 28 cm in length were placed, and graft patency was demonstrated up to 6 months after implantation. Six of the eight patients were asymptomatic during the follow-up period; one patient who had symptoms during this time underwent thrombolysis and redilation of the distal stent, and the symptoms resolved. This study demonstrates the feasibility of percutaneous graft placement in the femoral artery, but durability must be established in relation to traditional bypass surgery before it can be recommended on a wider scale.
Phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation in high myopia (2004)

Objective To analysis the clinical effect of phacoemulsification and posterior chamber intraocular lens(IOL) implantation in patients with high myopia.Methods Phacoemulsification and IOL implantation was performed on 58 eyes of 50 patients with high myopia and cataracts through a scleral tunnel incision. The axial length was 27-33.56mm. There were 40 eyes in ≤30 mm axial length group and 18 eyes in 30mm axial length group. The postoperative visual acuity and complications was observed.Results 35 eyes visual acuity(87.5%) was better than 0.4 in 40 eyes in ≤30 mm axial length group while that of 9 eyes(50.0%) in 18 eyes in 30mm axial length group. There was 1 case of posterior capsule ruptured which was performed anterior vitrectomy and IOL implantation in the ciliary sulcus.Conclusion Visual acuity could be improved for high myopia and cataract patients with phacoemulsification and posterior chamber IOL implantation. While the recovery for eyes with axial length over 30mm was unsatisfactory.
FeCl3/NaNO2:  An Efficient Photocatalyst for the Degradation of Aquatic Steroid Estrogens under Natural Light Irradiation (2007)

Assistance and acceleration of the environment's self-remediation of pollutants represent an important and long-standing goal for environmental chemistry communities. Here, a degradation route using a combination of a nitrite and a ferric salt as the photocatalyst is presented for catalytically removing 17beta-estradiol (E2), estriol (E3), and 17alpha-ethynylestradiol (EE2) in water under mimicked natural environmental conditions, i.e., in the phytotron. After a 1 day reaction, 86.6% of the estrogen E2 was degraded. Extending the incubation time to 30 days, more than 99.9% E2 was removed and a very small quantity of malonic acid observed as the residual organic compound, and estrogenic activity was determined. The results showed that the estrogenic activities of the intermediate products are negligible and that there is no secondary risk associated with increased the estrogenic activity. The degradation system demonstrated that FeCl3/NaN02 is an efficient photocatalyst which is active on natural light irradiation. This work highlights a promising development for in situ treatment of pollutants in natural-environment conditions.
[Right ventricular restoration in adult patients after TOF surgery]. (2008)

This preliminary database implies that the right ventricular restoration is a simple and effective procedure, and introduces a structural component that should be added in repaired TFO patients with right ventricular dilatation and underlying aneurysm or akinesia of the right ventricular outflow tract.
Membrane technologies for CO2 capture (2010)

This thesis investigates the potential of membrane technology for the effective CO2/CH4 separation. The work focuses on two different membrane processes to accomplish the separation: 1) The use of a gas-liquid membrane contactor for the selective absorption of CO2 from CH4 2) The use of thin, dense gas separation membranes to establish the separation Porous (PP) and asymmetric (PPO) hollow fiber membranes have been used in a membrane contactor with the traditional absorption liquid monoethanolamine (MEA) and the influence of different process parameters has been evaluated. The PP membranes outperform the PPO membranes in terms of productivity and selectivity, but the PPO membranes are much less sensitive towards variations in feed pressure, which increases the operating window. Amino acid salt solutions have similar reactivity and CO2 absorption capacity as alkanol amines, but in addition they can be made non-volatile and are therefore a competitive alternative. The kinetics of the CO2 absorption in an amino acid salt solution (sarcosine) have been studied. Reaction rate constants significantly higher than those found for MEA were obtained for the absorption of CO2 in aqueous sarcosine salt solutions showing the potential of this new absorption liquid. The performance of this amino acid salt solution in a membrane contactor showed very high CO2/CH4 selectivities due to very low CH4 permeances. These high selectivities for sarcosine salt solutions can already be achieved without a temperature difference between absorber and desorber, which is a step forward towards energy-efficient CO2 absorption. In addition, the use of gas separation membranes with improved plasticization resistance has been investigated. An imidazolium-based poly(RTIL) is used as base material and the length of the alkyl chain serves as a tool to strengthen or weaken the ionic interactions within the poly(RTIL). Furthermore a promising high selective polymeric membrane (ODPA PEI) is tested and its sorption, swelling and permeation behavior at high pressure are analyzed. High CO2/CH4 selectivities for the ODPA PEI films even at elevated pressure and therewith high potential of this material for the effective CO2 removal were found.
Dielectric response of concentrated colloidal suspensions (2003)

The determination of the low-frequency (typically 0–1 MHz) dielectric dispersion of colloidal suspensions may become an electrokinetic tool of wider use if the accuracy of experimental data can be improved and if trustable theories, available for a wide range of situations, are made available. In the present work, we focus on the latter aspect: Since the dielectric constant of the suspensions is in fact a collective property, its determination could be most useful in concentrated suspensions. This is our aim in this paper. Using the classical electrokinetic equations and a cell model accounting for particle–particle interactions, we present calculations of the dielectric spectra of concentrated (volume fractions up to 50%) suspensions of spheres. Most of our results cannot be thought of as any sort of extrapolation of those corresponding to dilute suspensions (the reverse is true), and in fact the notion of a dilute colloidal system is itself not free of uncertainties, as no “critical volume fraction” can be identified separating the dilute and concentrated ranges. According to the calculations described, increasing the particle concentration by a sufficient amount can lead to a decrease of the dielectric constant of the whole system that can be well below that of the dispersion medium, even for high zeta potentials, ζ. The latter quantity affects (and this is also true if φ → 0) considerably both the dielectric constant εr′ and the relaxation frequency, frel: When ζ is increased, both the low-frequency value, εr′(0), of εr′, and frel increase at all particle concentrations. We also analyze the effect of the product κa, where a is the particle radius and κ is the reciprocal Debye length: higher κa values correspond to larger εr′(0) and lower frel. Finally, the model is compared to previously reported experimental data: it is found that the qualitative agreement is excellent both concerning εr′(0) and frel. Possible improvements of the theory, particularly the inclusion of a dynamic Stern layer, are suggested.
Deletion of DOCK2, a regulator of the actin cytoskeleton in lymphocytes, suppresses cardiac allograft rejection (2005)

Allograft rejection is induced by graft tissue infiltration of alloreactive T cells that are activated mainly in secondary lymphoid organs of the host. DOCK2 plays a critical role in lymphocyte homing and immunological synapse formation by regulating the actin cytoskeleton, yet its role in the in vivo immune response remains unknown. We show here that DOCK2 deficiency enables long-term survival of cardiac allografts across a complete mismatch of the major histocompatibility complex molecules. In DOCK2-deficient mice, alloreactivity and allocytotoxicity were suppressed significantly even after in vivo priming with alloantigens, which resulted in reduced intragraft expression of effector molecules, such as interferon-gamma, granzyme B, and perforin. This is mediated, at least in part, by preventing potentially alloreactive T cells from recruiting into secondary lymphoid organs. In addition, we found that DOCK2 is critical for CD28-mediated Rac activation and is required for the full activation of alloreactive T cells. Although DOCK2-deficient, alloreactive T cells were activated in vitro in the presence of exogenous interleukin-2, these T cells, when transferred adoptively, failed to infiltrate into the allografts that were transplanted into RAG1-deficient mice. Thus, DOCK2 deficiency attenuates allograft rejection by simultaneously suppressing multiple and key processes. We propose that DOCK2 could be a novel molecular target for controlling transplant rejection.
Genotyping External Quality Assurance in the World Health Organization HIV Drug Resistance Laboratory Network During 2007–2010 (2012)

The World Health Organization (WHO) has developed a global laboratory network to support human immunodeficiency virus drug resistance genotyping for public health surveillance in resource-limited countries. Blinded proficiency panels are an essential part of a genotyping quality-assurance program and are used to monitor the reliability of genotyping data in the WHO laboratory network. Laboratories in Europe, North America, Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean have tested panels annually since 2007; 103 of 131 submissions (79%) had >99% nucleotide sequence identity and resistance mutation concordance, compared with consensus. Most errors were associated with mixtures in the test specimen, leading to subjectivity in base-calling or amplification bias. Overall, genotyping assays used by the WHO laboratory network are reliable.