gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
A More Balanced Design Approach for Preserving the Usability of a Peruvian Cookstove (2015)

Over the past decade, a large amount of research has been dedicated to improving the efficiency and reducing the emissions of biomass cookstoves. The trade-off from placing such an emphasis on these two objectives is that improved cookstoves are often not as functional or desirable to the end user in comparison to their traditional cookstove. Thus, users often abandon their new improved cookstoves and sustained use is not achieved. In order for improved cookstoves to be more impactful, a different design approach is needed; improved cookstoves must be designed for usability, even at the expense of higher efficiencies or lower emissions. This paper explores the benefits of this alternative approach, which is demonstrated in the design of a replacement biomass cookstove for residents living in the Tambogrande region of Peru. The heavy use of biomass cookstoves in this small collection of villages, has resulted in many health and environmental problems for the residents. Recent field studies revealed that residents were pleased with the functionality of their traditional channel stove, yet also desired to have a stove that cooks faster, consumes less fuel, and emits less smoke. The resulting design includes a set of adaptable, inexpensive pot skirts that can be integrated with their current channel stove. These pot skirts allow for varying sizes and number of pots, as well as allow traditional fuels to be used. Despite a usability focused design approach, the pot skirts still improved the technical performance of the cookstove by improving thermal efficiency by 25.8%, decreasing time to boil by 26.0%, and decreasing fuel consumption by 24.7%. These results demonstrate that a usability focused design can still yield significant performance improvements while achieving a high level of user functionality.
Biosynthesis and Biological Activity of Nonribosomal Peptide Beta-Lactones (2019)

Secondary metabolites are molecules produced by bacteria that grant a competitive advantage in their native environment. Many life-saving antibiotics are directly taken from or inspired by these biologically active and structurally diverse molecules. In addition to the compounds, the biosynthetic enzymes that produce these structurally complex molecules are of interest, due to their ability to assemble these molecules in an efficient and stereochemically controlled manner. We report the biosynthetic gene cluster of the antibiotic obafluorin (obi), a β-lactone produced by plant associated species of Pseudomonas fluorescens. We present a detailed genetic and biochemical characterization of the entire obi biosynthetic pathway which includes the biosynthesis of the non-proteinogenic amino acid β-OH-p-NO2-homophenylalanine, produced en route to obi. The biosynthesis is completed on the non-ribosomal peptide synthetase ObiF, which contains a rare and essential serine to cysteine mutation in the type I thioesterase domain active site. Our biosynthetic studies culminate with the in vitro reconstitution of five enzymes that enable total chemoenzymatic synthesis of the -lactone obi. In addition, we show that homologous gene clusters are present in environmental bacteria and human pathogens. We report the utilization of biosynthetic enzymes in a chemoenzymatic synthesis of obi analogs and the protein crystal structure of ObiF, which provides structural evidence to the mechanism of strained ring formation.
Time Course of Transvenous Pacemaker Stimulation Impedance, Capture Threshold, and Electrogram Amplitude (1986)

To examine the time course of atrial and ventricular stimulation impedance, capture threshold, and electrogram amplitude, we obtained noninvasive telemetric data in 63 patients who underwent implantation of unipolar, endocardial pacing leads and a second-generation dual chamber pacemaker with expanded bidirectional telemetry, including stimulation impedance, endocardial electrograms, and automatic capture threshold determination. On follow-up of 9-20 months (mean, 15 months), all but six patients continued to pace in the DDD mode. To validate measurements made with telemetry, invasive measurements made directly with a pacing system analyzer at time of implant were compared with immediate postimplant telemetric measurements. Significant correlation of acute stimulation impedance was noted in both atrial (r = .7, p less than .001) and ventricular (r = .8, p less than .001) lead systems. The atrial stimulation impedance decreased from 538 ohms at implant to 471 ohms at 13 months (p less than .01); the ventricular stimulation impedance similarly declined from 545 ohms to 485 ohms at 13 months (p less than .01). Capture thresholds peaked at one month, then declined: atrial, 1.2 V at implant vs 2.2 V at 1 month (p less than .008) and 1.4 V at 13 months; ventricular, 1.1 V at implant vs 1.9 V at 1 month (p less than .001) and 1.3 V at 13 months. There were no significant changes noted in atrial or ventricular electrogram amplitude following implantation. We conclude that there is close correlation of invasive recordings with those made telemetrically with this pacemaker at time of implant.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Predictive Adaptive Streaming to Enable Mobile 360-Degree and VR Experiences (2020)

As 360-degree videos and virtual reality (VR) applications become popular for consumer and enterprise use cases, the desire to enable truly mobile experiences also increases. Delivering 360-degree videos and cloud/edge-based VR applications require ultra-high bandwidth and ultra-low latency <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref1" xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">[1]</xref> , challenging to achieve with mobile networks. A common approach to reduce bandwidth is streaming only the field of view (FOV). However, extracting and transmitting the FOV in response to user head motion can add high latency, adversely affecting user experience. In this paper, we propose a predictive adaptive streaming approach, where the predicted view with high predictive probability is adaptively encoded in relatively high quality according to bandwidth conditions and transmitted in advance, leading to a simultaneous reduction in bandwidth and latency. The predictive adaptive streaming method is based on a deep-learning-based viewpoint prediction model we develop, which uses past head motions to predict where a user will be looking in the 360-degree view. Using a very large dataset consisting of head motion traces from over 36,000 viewers for nineteen 360-degree/VR videos, we validate the ability of our predictive adaptive streaming method to offer high-quality view while simultaneously significantly reducing bandwidth.
Genetic and Epigenetic Regulation of PD-1 Expression (2016)

The inhibitory immune receptor programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) is intricately regulated. In T cells, PD-1 is expressed in response to most immune challenges, but it is rapidly downregulated in acute settings, allowing for normal immune responses. On chronically stimulated Ag-specific T cells, PD-1 expression remains high, leading to an impaired response to stimuli. Ab blockade of PD-1 interactions during chronic Ag settings partially restores immune function and is now used clinically to treat a variety of devastating cancers. Understanding the regulation of PD-1 expression may be useful for developing novel immune-based therapies. In this review, the molecular mechanisms that drive dynamic PD-1 expression during acute and chronic antigenic stimuli are discussed. An array of cis-DNA elements, transcription factors, and epigenetic components, including DNA methylation and histone modifications, control PD-1 expression. The interplay between these regulators fine-tunes PD-1 expression in different inflammatory environments and across numerous cell types to modulate immune responses.
Corticotropin-releasing factor, sauvagine, and urotensin I: effects on blood flow (1985)

Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), sauvagine (SVG), and urotensin I (UI) were tested for their effects on superior mesenteric blood flow in conscious dogs. Intravenous (iv) administration of CRF, SVG, and UI induced an immediate rise of mesenteric blood flow that was associated with a decrease in mean arterial pressure and an increase in heart rate. Intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of SVG and UI, but not CRF, rapidly (within 5 min after injection) elicited a long (90 min) elevation of mesenteric blood flow. Central administration of these peptides induced a delayed rise in heart rate and slightly elevated mean arterial pressure. The finding that CRF given ICV did not increase mesenteric blood flow could not be explained by the release of vasoactive agents such as vasopressin, epinephrine, or norepinephrine. After injection of CRF, SVG, and UI, plasma concentrations of CRF-, SVG-, and UI-like immunoreactivity did not increase as determined by radioimmunoassay. These results indicate that SVG and UI, but not CRF, administered ICV produce a long increase of mesenteric blood flow in conscious dogs. Because iv SVG and UI decrease mean arterial pressure and ICV SVG and UI increase mean arterial pressure and do not cause an increase in SVG- and UI-like immunoreactivity in the peripheral circulation, it is proposed that SVG and UI injected into the third cerebral ventricle act within the central nervous system to increase superior mesenteric blood flow in the dog.
Real‐time orientation and crystallinity measurements during the isotactic polypropylene film‐casting process (2003)

Abstract A method based on Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) transmission spectra is proposed to measure the crystallinity of isotactic polypropylene (iPP) samples. The method parameters were tuned as compared with wide‐angle X‐ray scattering measurements performed on test samples characterized by different crystallinity values obtained by solidification of thin iPP films under several cooling rates in a homemade device. The FTIR dichroic ratio measurements were adopted to measure crystalline and average Hermans' orientation factors of iPP samples obtained by film casting. The crystalline orientation measurement method was validated as compared with the birefringence measurement. The techniques were successfully used in real time during some film‐casting runs with a suitably modified FTIR system made of a spectrometer equipped with two optical guidelines and an external detector. Real‐time measurements are reported and discussed. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 41: 998–1008, 2003
Fluorescence intensity positivity classification of Hep-2 cells images using fuzzy logic (2014)

Indirect Immunofluorescence (IIF) is a good standard used for antinuclear autoantibody (ANA) test using Hep-2 cells to determine specific diseases. Different classifier algorithm methods have been proposed in previous works however, there still no valid set as a standard to classify the fluorescence intensity. This paper presents the use of fuzzy logic to classify the fluorescence intensity and to determine the positivity of the Hep-2 cell serum samples. The fuzzy algorithm involves the image pre-processing by filtering the noises and smoothen the image, converting the red, green and blue (RGB) color space of images to luminosity layer, chromaticity layer "a" and "b" (LAB) color space where the mean value of the lightness and chromaticity layer "a" was extracted and classified by using fuzzy logic algorithm based on the standard score ranges of antinuclear autoantibody (ANA) fluorescence intensity. Using 100 data sets of positive and intermediate fluorescence intensity for testing the performance measurements, the fuzzy logic obtained an accuracy of intermediate and positive class as 85% and 87% respectively.
Workflow Support for Live Object-Based Broadcasting (2018)

This paper examines the document aspects of object-based broadcasting. Object-based broadcasting augments traditional video and audio broadcast content with additional (temporally-constrained) media objects. The content of these objects -- as well as their temporal validity -- are determined by the broadcast source, but the actual rendering and placement of these objects can be customized to the needs/constraints of the content viewer(s). The use of object-based broadcasting enables a more tailored end-user experience than the one-size-fits-all of traditional broadcasts: the viewer may be able to selectively turn off overlay graphics (such as statistics) during a sports game, or selectively render them on a secondary device. Object-based broadcasting also holds the potential for supporting presentation adaptivity for accessibility or for device heterogeneity.
Self-Driven Mastery in Massive Open Online Courses (2013)

Online learning tools such as those designed for massive open online courses (MOOCs) enable students to learn for mastery. In mastery learning, students demonstrate the understanding of a concept through repeated assessment and exposure to material before moving on to the next lesson. Although numerous studies have demonstrated the efficacy of mastery learning across multiple topic areas in K–12 and university-level courses, there have been no studies of the effectiveness of this approach in the MOOC setting to date. In this study, we analyzed student scores in 28 Coursera MOOCs that offered formative assessments with multiple attempts at resubmission. We consistently observed a significant positive correlation between formative assessment score improvements and final examination performance (median adjusted correlation coefficient 0.27, interquartile range 0.19–0.41). One interpretation of these data is that among individuals of similar starting ability, efforts made to improve scores on individual assignments (by one standard deviation) typically yield improvements in overall learning as measured through end-of-course examinations (by roughly one-fourth of a standard deviation). Future studies with randomized experimental intervention will address limitations of the current analysis by allowing for direct comparisons of individuals with similar motivations.
Analyse et représentation en deux dimensions de traces pour le suivi de l'apprenant (2007)

Le suivi d'apprenants lors de la résolution de problèmes est difficile, surtout lorsque le nombre d'apprenants est important ou lorsque la résolution de problèmes se fait à distance. Nous proposons ici une représentation graphique en deux dimensions des traces de ces apprenants qui pourrait être utilisée dans un logiciel de " monitoring ". Pour arriver à ce résultat nous avons adapté et combiné des algorithmes d'analyse numérique (principalement des algorithmes de réduction de dimensions : carte de Kohonen et SNE). Nous avons aussi abordé la problématique de distance entre ensembles en proposant une nouvelle mesure de similarité lorsque leurs éléments sont sémantiquement proches. Enfin nous avons validé et amélioré notre approche à l'aide tout d'abord de données simulées, puis de données réelles issues d'une expérimentation.
P1‐073: PREPARATION OF ONE MONTH RELEASE DONEPEZIL INJECTABLE FOR THE TREATMENT OF ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND ITS PHARMACOKINETICS IN A RAT MODEL (2018)

Donepezil, which inhibits hydrolysis of acetylcholine, has been widely used to improve cognition and behavior as pills in Alzheimer's disease patients. However, their formulation can cause low patient compliance and fail to meet suitable therapeutic concentration in serum on account of irregular taking the pills. Therefore, proper drug formulation is important to manage diseases and enhance patient compliance. Specifically, long-acting injections with biodegradable polymers have been used to prevent the rapid degradation of drugs with high efficacy including some peptide drugs and small molecules and also last their efficacy. In this study, we prepared various long-acting and monodisperse microspheres encapsulating donepezil with oil-in-water solvent extraction/evaporation method. The morphology of the microspheres was observed by electron microscope, and their size distribution was calculated using laser diffraction particle sizing technique. The pharmacokinetic effects of long-acting formulation were evaluated through serum donepezil concentration in male SD rats following single intramuscular injection. A series of the long-acting donepezil-loaded microspheres were successfully fabricated with different polymers and loading contents of donepezil. According to electron microscopic images, all the prepared microspheres had smooth surface and spherical conformation. A single intramuscular injection of donepezil-loaded microspheres showed that the serum donepezil concentration was kept within therapeutic range for one month. It was shown that the long-acting microspheres could release donepezil consistently enough for the monthly injection. The release profile of donepezil-loaded microspheres could be varied by the type of polymers and drug-loading contents. Based on their long-acting ability, our microsphere formulation can be considered promising alternative for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease with improved patient compliance. Currently, scale-up and preclinical studies are ongoing for further clinical studies in human.
Mutual A domain interactions in the force sensing protein von Willebrand factor (2016)

The von Willebrand factor (VWF) is a glycoprotein in the blood that plays a central role in hemostasis. Among other functions, VWF is responsible for platelet adhesion at sites of injury via its A1 domain. Its adjacent VWF domain A2 exposes a cleavage site under shear to degrade long VWF fibers in order to prevent thrombosis. Recently, it has been shown that VWF A1/A2 interactions inhibit the binding of platelets to VWF domain A1 in a force-dependent manner prior to A2 cleavage. However, whether and how this interaction also takes place in longer VWF fragments as well as the strength of this interaction in the light of typical elongation forces imposed by the shear flow of blood remained elusive. Here, we addressed these questions by using single molecule force spectroscopy (SMFS), Brownian dynamics (BD), and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Our SMFS measurements demonstrate that the A2 domain has the ability to bind not only to single A1 domains but also to VWF A1A2 fragments. SMFS experiments of a mutant [A2] domain, containing a disulfide bond which stabilizes the domain against unfolding, enhanced A1 binding. This observation suggests that the mutant adopts a more stable conformation for binding to A1. We found intermolecular A1/A2 interactions to be preferred over intramolecular A1/A2 interactions. Our data are also consistent with the existence of two cooperatively acting binding sites for A2 in the A1 domain. Our SMFS measurements revealed a slip-bond behavior for the A1/A2 interaction and their lifetimes were estimated for forces acting on VWF multimers at physiological shear rates using BD simulations. Complementary fitting of AFM rupture forces in the MD simulation range adequately reproduced the force response of the A1/A2 complex spanning a wide range of loading rates. In conclusion, we here characterized the auto-inhibitory mechanism of the intramolecular A1/A2 bond as a shear dependent safeguard of VWF, which prevents the interaction of VWF with platelets.
Pulmonary function abnormalities in type I Gaucher disease (1996)

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of pulmonary function and radiographic abnormalities among patients with type I Gaucher's disease, and to analyse the relationship between the pulmonary involvement and genotype and clinical severity score. All patients attending the Gaucher clinic at the Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel, during the years 1992-1993 were prospectively evaluated. Each patient had pulmonary function tests, chest radiography, clinical assessment in terms of degree of organ involvement, and genotype analysis. Of the 95 patients included in the study (mean +/- SD age 29 +/- 15 yrs), 68% had some pulmonary function abnormalities, most commonly a reduced FRC and transfer coefficient for carbon monoxide (Kco), found in 45% and in 42% of the patients respectively. Total lung capacity (TLC) was reduced in 22% of the patients and forced expiratory flows in approximately one third of the patients. Signs of airtrapping (elevated residual volume (RV) or RV/TLC) were seen in 18% of the patients. Males had a higher incidence of reduced expiratory flow than females, (forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) was reduced in 36% of males vs 5% of females). Chest radiographic abnormalities were found in 17% of the patients, although only 4% had severe changes. Patients with abnormal pulmonary function had a significantly higher severity score index than those with normal pulmonary function tests. There was no association between abnormal pulmonary function and genotype or age. In conclusion, abnormal pulmonary function is common among type I Gaucher patients. Pulmonary function tests show airways obstruction, with reduced expiratory flows, reduction in lung volumes and alveolar-capillary diffusion abnormality. The rate of progression and the clinical significance need to be determined.
Persistent Gene Expression in Mouse Nasal Epithelia following Feline Immunodeficiency Virus-Based Vector Gene Transfer (2005)

Gene transfer development for treatment or prevention of cystic fibrosis lung disease has been limited by the inability of vectors to efficiently and persistently transduce airway epithelia. Influenza A is an enveloped virus with natural lung tropism; however, pseudotyping feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)-based lentiviral vector with the hemagglutinin envelope protein proved unsuccessful. Conversely, pseudotyping FIV with the envelope protein from influenza D (Thogoto virus GP75) resulted in titers of 10(6) transducing units (TU)/ml and conferred apical entry into well-differentiated human airway epithelial cells. Baculovirus GP64 envelope glycoproteins share sequence identity with influenza D GP75 envelope glycoproteins. Pseudotyping FIV with GP64 from three species of baculovirus resulted in titers of 10(7) to 10(9) TU/ml. Of note, GP64 from Autographa californica multicapsid nucleopolyhedrovirus resulted in high-titer FIV preparations (approximately 10(9) TU/ml) and conferred apical entry into polarized primary cultures of human airway epithelia. Using a luciferase reporter gene and bioluminescence imaging, we observed persistent gene expression from in vivo gene transfer in the mouse nose with A. californica GP64-pseudotyped FIV (AcGP64-FIV). Longitudinal bioluminescence analysis documented persistent expression in nasal epithelia for approximately 1 year without significant decline. According to histological analysis using a LacZ reporter gene, olfactory and respiratory epithelial cells were transduced. In addition, methylcellulose-formulated AcGP64-FIV transduced mouse nasal epithelia with much greater efficiency than similarly formulated vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein-pseudotyped FIV. These data suggest that AcGP64-FIV efficiently transduces and persistently expresses a transgene in nasal epithelia in the absence of agents that disrupt the cellular tight junction integrity.
Microcystin Produces Disparate Effects on Liver Cells in a Dose Dependent Manner (2006)

In this review we present recent studies on the effects of the protein phosphatase inhibitor microcystin on mammalian cells. Whereas high concentrations of microcystin promote liver cell death induced by ROS signalling without the involvement of typical apoptotic proteins, intermediate doses activate classic apoptotic pathways. Low concentrations however, increase liver cell survival and proliferation, and can cause primary liver cancer.
Extrafoveal photostress recovery test in glaucoma and idiopathic central serous chorioretinopathy (1998)

Both ICSC and POAG showed a prolonged time constant of recovery, but the initial sensitivity change was reduced only in ICSC. The difference in our results between ICSC and POAG may be caused by the difference of the retinal pathology. Further, the SLO-PSRT is very useful when the lesion is located outside the fovea.