gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
HIF‐1‐PHD2 axis controls expression of syndecan 4 in nucleus pulposus cells (2014)

Intervertebral disc degeneration is the leading cause of chronic back pain. Recent studies show that raised level of SDC4, a cell-surface heparan sulfate (HS) proteoglycan, plays a role in pathogenesis of disc degeneration. However, in nucleus pulposus (NP) cells of the healthy intervertebral disc, the mechanisms that control expression of SDC4 and its physiological function are unknown. Hypoxia induced SDC4 mRNA and protein expression by ~2.4- and 4.4-fold (P<0.05), respectively, in NP cells. While the activity of the SDC4 promoter containing hypoxia response element (HRE) was induced 2-fold (P<0.05), the HRE mutation decreased the activity by 40% in hypoxia. Transfections with plasmids coding prolyl-4-hydroxylase domain protein 2 (PHD2) and ShPHD2 show that hypoxic expression of SDC4 mRNA and protein is regulated by PHD2 through controlling hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) levels. Although overexpression of HIF-1α significantly increased SDC4 protein levels, stable suppression of HIF-1α and HIF-1β decreased SDC4 expression by 50% in human NP cells. Finally, suppression of SDC4 expression, as well as HS function, resulted in an ~2-fold increase in sex-determining region Y (SRY)-box 9 (Sox9) mRNA, and protein (P<0.05) and simultaneous increase in Sox9 transcriptional activity and target gene expression. Taken together, our findings suggest that in healthy discs, SDC4, through its HS side chains, contributes to maintenance of the hypoxic tissue niche by controlling baseline expression of Sox9.
In vivo application of recombinant interleukin 2 in the immunotherapy of established cytomegalovirus infection. (1987)

We have shown in a murine model system for cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease in the immunocompromised host that in vivo application of recombinant human IL-2 (rhIL-2) can enhance the antiviral effect of a limited number of CD8+T lymphocytes, not only in prophylaxis, but also in therapy, when virus has already colonized host tissues. The observed net effect of IL-2 was consistent with the assumption of daily effector population doublings. The prospects for IL-2-supported immunotherapy of established CMV infection depend upon the tissues involved in disease. It appears that the prospects for controlling established CMV adrenalitis are less promising than for a therapy of interstitial CMV pneumonia.
From Gaze Control to Attentive Interfaces (2005)

Interactive applications that make use of eye tracking have traditionally been based on command-and-control. Applications that make more subtle use of eye gaze have recently become increasingly popular in the domain of attentive interfaces that adapt their behaviour based on the visual attention of the user. We provide a review of the main systems and application domains where this genre of interfaces has been used.
Bare silica nanoparticles as concentrating and affinity probes for rapid analysis of aminothiols, lysozyme and peptide mixtures using atmospheric‐pressure matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization ion trap and matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (2008)

The analysis of peptide mixtures from urine and plasma samples using bare (uncapped) SiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) with atmospheric-pressure matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (AP-MALDI-MS) has been reported. The method was based on the adsorption of positively charged peptides on the surface of negatively charged SiO2 NPs through the electrostatic force of attraction. The adsorption on the surface of SiO2 NPs caused enhancement of ionization efficiency of analytes and subsequently increased the signal intensity of peptides. Maximum signal intensity was obtained at optimized concentration of SiO2 NPs and pH of the aqueous solution. The limits of detection (LODs) obtained for different peptides in deionized water with and without using SiO2 NPs were in the range 4.7-360 nM and 0.1-18.0 microM, respectively. The sensitivity of the proposed method was 21-53-fold better than conventional use of AP-MALDI-MS. In addition, linearity in the range 9.5-95 nM was obtained for the peptide angiotensin-II in deionized water with a correlation of estimation of 0.992 using an internal standard. The proposed method provided a simple way to facilitate the ionization of peptides, reduce sample complexity and increase the tolerance to salts and surfactants in the analysis of biological samples. The applicability of the present method was also demonstrated in the real-world sample analysis of aminothiols and lysozyme using MALDI-time-of-flight (TOF)-MS.
Cross regulation in flyback converters: analytic model and solution (2001)

An analytical model for studying cross regulation among the multiple outputs of flyback converters is presented in this paper. Both the theoretical and experimental results show that the cross regulation can be improved by lowering the clamp voltage, which has not been previously reported. Many other factors, such as the leakage inductance in primary and secondary windings, the magnetizing inductance, and the air gap can also affect the cross regulation. Detailed analysis and test results are provided. Based on this model, a cost-effective passive energy regenerative clamp is proposed that allows the clamp voltage to be much lower than that of traditional RC clamps, thus improving the cross regulation and energy efficiency.
Role of Sex Steroid Hormones in Bacterial-Host Interactions (2012)

Sex steroid hormones play important physiological roles in reproductive and nonreproductive tissues, including immune cells. These hormones exert their functions by binding to either specific intracellular receptors that act as ligand-dependent transcription factors or membrane receptors that stimulate several signal transduction pathways. The elevated susceptibility of males to bacterial infections can be related to the usually lower immune responses presented in males as compared to females. This dimorphic sex difference is mainly due to the differential modulation of the immune system by sex steroid hormones through the control of proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines expression, as well as Toll-like receptors (TLRs) expression and antibody production. Besides, sex hormones can also affect the metabolism, growth, or virulence of pathogenic bacteria. In turn, pathogenic, microbiota, and environmental bacteria are able to metabolize and degrade steroid hormones and their related compounds. All these data suggest that sex steroid hormones play a key role in the modulation of bacterial-host interactions.
<i>cis‐trans</i> isomerization of unsaturated fatty acids with<i>p</i>‐toluenesulfinic acid (1982)

Abstract Elaidination of unsaturated fatty acids using p ‐toluenesulfinic acid yielded 77–80% total trans unsaturation in the products. Results from reactions with monoene, diene, and triene isomers indicated that only geometric isomerization takes place. Each double bond isomerized randomly and independently in the polyunsaturated fatty acids. Reactions proceeded quickly, and the method proved convenient and reliable.
Induction of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in Dark Agouti rats without adjuvant (2004)

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is a well-recognized model for multiple sclerosis (MS) in humans. However, adjuvants used with encephalitogens to induce EAE produce non-specific effects interfering with the mechanisms involved in the autoimmune response to the central nervous system (CNS) tissue. It is therefore important to establish a more suitable model of EAE for analysis of autoimmune phenomena resembling those operative in MS. Here we report that EAE can be induced regularly in Dark Agouti (DA) strain of rats with spinal cord tissue without any adjuvant, as judged by both clinical and histological parameters. The incidence and severity of EAE depended on the origin of the encephalitogen, the rat versus guinea pig spinal cord homogenate being more efficient. Furthermore, EAE could be reinduced in animals which had recovered from disease that had been induced actively with encephalitogen alone, suggesting the role of adjuvant-generated non-specific mechanisms in resistance to reinduction of EAE. Thus, EAE induced in DA rats with encephalitogen alone provides a reproducible model for defining pathogenically relevant events in CNS autoimmunity devoid of the potentially misleading effects of adjuvants.
Structure and Properties of Composite Films of Cellulose and Chitosan from Ionic Liquid (2012)

A series of blend films of cellulose and chitosan were prepared from 1-ethyl-3-methyl imidazole acetate ([Emim] Ac) by coagulating with ethanol. Structure, mechanical properties, thermal stability and antibacterial properties were investigated. The results showed that there were strong interactions and good compatibility between cellulose and chitosan in blend films. The blend films possess good mechanical properties and thermal stability, and the existence of chitosan endows blend films with antimicrobial property.
Transthoracic Bioimpedance Monitoring Predicts Heart Failure Decompensation and Early Readmission after Heart Failure Hospitalization: Preliminary Data from SENTINEL-HF (2020)

Background: Patients, providers, and health systems are focused on reducing readmissions for patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF). Readmission after hospitalization is common and often secondary to HF decompensation, but it remains challenging to identify patients at-risk. Bioimpedance is a validated marker of thoracic fluid accumulation. We examined whether transthoracic bioimpedance, measured using a Fluid Accumulation Vest (FAV), predicted HF decompensation in advance of a clinical event in patients discharged after ADHF. Methods: Participants included 42 patients hospitalized for ADHF. Participants were trained on the use of a FAV-smartphone dyad to obtain and transmit a 5-minute bioimpedance measurement once daily for 45-days after discharge. Readmission and diuretic dosing adjustments were identified using participant report and causes adjudicated using medical records. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and C-statistics were calculated to describe the characteristics of a bioimpedance based algorithm as a predictor of HF decompensation 3 or 7-days in advance of the clinical event. Results: Participants (mean age 69 ± 12 years, 43% female, 88% white, 11% cognitively impaired, 12% depressed) had a mean ejection fraction of 50 ± 18%. HF-related rehospitalization occurred in 10% (n=4) and 10% (n=4) reported diuretic up-titration during the 45-day follow-up. An algorithm analyzing bioimpedance up to 3 or 7 days prior to an event was related to HF readmission (C statistics for 3 and 7 days = 0.83, 0.94, respectively) and the combined outcome of HF hospitalization or diuretic up-titration (C statistics for 3 and 7 days = 0.76, 0.80, respectively). Conclusions: Early readmission after hospitalization for ADHF was common and predicted up to 7 days in advance by an algorithm analyzing transthoracic bioimpedance. Despite their advanced age and high burden of comorbid diseases, study participants with ADHF were able to make daily bioimpedance measurements using a FAV and transmit them using a smartphone. Transthoracic bioimpedance monitoring may offer possibilities for reducing HF readmissions by enabling identification and treatment of outpatients with early HF decompensation.
A Novel Interaction Between Inhibitory Melatonin Receptors and Protein Kinase C-Dependent Signal Transduction in Ovine Pars Tuberalis Cells* (1998)

This study revealed an important and unexpected finding: namely, that inhibitory melatonin receptors can inhibit a phorbol 12,13 myristate acetate (PMA)-induced, protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent increase in c-fos messenger RNA expression in ovine pars tuberalis (PT) cells. PMA induces dose-dependent stimulation of c-fos expression that is attenuated by melatonin in a dose-dependent and pertussis toxin-sensitive manner. The effect of 100 nM PMA is blocked by Ro31-8220 (1 microM), yet is not mimicked by 4alpha-PMA (100 nM). PMA (100 nM) induces PKC activity in PT cells (P < 0.05) within 5 min, but melatonin has no effect on this response. PMA (100 nM) stimulates both phospholipase D and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) (p42/44) activities in PT cells, but melatonin has no effect on these responses. The results indicate that neither of these second-messenger activities contribute to the melatonin-sensitive pathway of c-fos activation. The MEK (MAPK kinase) inhibitor, PD98059 (50 microM), does not block the induction of c-fos by PMA, although at the same dose it inhibits PMA-mediated activation of p42/44 MAPK by 50-70%, and activation by forskolin or insulin-like growth factor-I by 100%. These data suggest that p42/44 MAPK may not be the primary mediator of PKC-dependent c-fos induction. In contrast to the effect of melatonin on PMA-mediated c-fos induction in PT cells, in L cells stably transfected with the sheep Mel1 alphabeta receptor, melatonin potentiates the c-fos response in a pertussis toxin-sensitive manner. These data indicate the tissue-specific nature of melatonin receptor signaling, and reveal that a pertussis toxin-sensitive pathway can block PKC-mediated c-fos induction in PT cells.
BRD9 Inhibition, Alone or in Combination with Cytostatic Compounds as a Therapeutic Approach in Rhabdoid Tumors (2017)

Rhabdoid tumors (RT) are malignant neoplasms of early childhood. Despite intensive therapy, survival is poor and new treatment approaches are required. The only recurrent mutations in these tumors affect <i>SMARCB1</i> and less commonly <i>SMARCA4</i>, both subunits of the chromatin remodeling complex SWItch/Sucrose Non-Fermentable (SWI/SNF). Loss of these two core subunits alters the function of the SWI/SNF complex, resulting in tumor development. We hypothesized that inhibition of aberrant SWI/SNF function by selective blockade of the BRD9 subunit of the SWI/SNF complex would reduce tumor cell proliferation. The cytotoxic and anti-proliferative effects of two specific chemical probes (I-BRD9 and BI-9564) which target the bromodomain of SWI/SNF protein BRD9 were evaluated in 5 RT cell lines. Combinatorial effects of I-BRD9 and cytotoxic drugs on cell proliferation were evaluated by cytotoxicity assays. Single compound treatment of RT cells with I-BRD9 and BI-9564 resulted in decreased cell proliferation, G1-arrest and apoptosis. Combined treatment of doxorubicin or carboplatin with I-BRD9 resulted in additive to synergistic inhibitory effects on cell proliferation. In contrast, the combination of I-BRD9 with vincristine demonstrated the antagonistic effects of these two compounds. We conclude that the BRD9 bromodomain is an attractive target for novel therapies in this cancer.
The detection of specific acute phase serum protein complexes and immune complexes by congo red binding. (1995)

The study concerns the problem of selective binding of Congo Red dye to serum proteins. The dye-binding structural motifs were assumed to appear in proteins as the result of local disruptions of tertiary interaction associated with biological activities. Functional structures of serum proteinase inhibitors and haptoglobins induced by interaction of these proteins with their natural substrates were found to bind Congo Red. Soluble immune complexes formed by bivalent hapten-bridged anti-TNP rabbit antibodies also appeared able to interact with the dye. The possible use of these effects for diagnostic analysis was suggested.
Motion dynamics of a rover with slip-based traction model (2003)

This paper investigates kinetic behavior of a planetary rover with attention to tire-soil traction mechanics and articulated body dynamics, and thereby study the control when the rover travels over natural rough terrain. Experiments are carried out with a rover test bed to observe the physical phenomena of soils and to model the traction mechanics, using the tire slip ratio as a state variable. The relationship of load-traction factor versus the slip ratio is modeled theoretically then verified by experiments, as well as specific parameters to characterize the soil are identified. A dynamic simulation model is developed considering the characteristics of wheel actuators, the mechanics of tire-soil traction, and the articulated body dynamics of a suspension mechanism. Simulations are carried out to be compared with the corresponding experimental data and verified to represent the physical behavior of a rover.
A Direct Method for the Determination of Orientation Relationships Using TEM (1991)

Abstract A new method for the determination of orientation relationships has been developed. The method is based on a recently proposed direct method for orientation determination using a transmission electron microscope (TEM). The determination of the orientation relationship can be done by two different but generally applicable approaches. The first approach is especially applicable for crystals with orthogonal base vectors, the second approach is especially applicable for crystals with non‐orthogonal base vectors and the general bicrystal.
Bullous Pemphigoid as Pruritus in the Elderly (2013)

Itch without skin lesions can be the only symptom of bullous pemphigoid. Therefore, it is important to include serologic and direct immunofluorescence in the diagnostic algorithm of itch. We propose the unifying term pruritic nonbullous pemphigoid for all patients with immunopathologic findings of bullous pemphigoid, itch, and no blisters.
Pulsatile Hemodynamic Effects of Candesartan in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure: The CHARM Program (2005)

Candesartan has a favorable effect on large artery function in patients with chronic heart failure.
A metrics-based approach to intrusion detection system evaluation for distributed real-time systems (2002)

This paper describes a set of metrics that will help administrators of distributed, real-time (clustered) computer facilities to select the best intrusion detection system for their facilities. The metrics herein are the subset of our general metric set that particularly impact real-time and distributed processing issues. We discuss related works in this field, the role of intrusion detection in information assurance, some basic classes of intrusion detection systems, a general architecture of network intrusion detection systems, and the scorecard metrics and their application to real-time and distributed processing systems. Finally we discuss the lessons we learned using a preliminary version of the metric scorecard to test three commercial intrusion detection systems and the opportunities for further work in this area.
The demise of fieldwork as an integral part of science education in United Kingdom schools: a victim of cultural change and political pressure? (2001)

Abstract Science education in United Kingdom schools had usually included elements of fieldwork; over time it had become part of the traditions and culture of school science. The nature of this work had not only reflected the age and abilities of the student, but had also responded to the numerous changes to curriculum content, methods of teaching and examination procedures, which have taken place over several decades. This article will examine how fieldwork provision has been affected by fundamental changes to the education system of the United Kingdom during the last decade. The introduction of a Statutory Curriculum for England and Wales in 1988, along with new management structures within the education system, have caused attitudes to fieldwork to change radically. The dramatic decrease in the amount of fieldwork carried out as part of a normal science education is seen to have several possible root causes including an over prescriptive science curriculum, financial constraints, changing professional values and bureaucratic complexities. The article identifies and analyses some of the factors that are seen by practicing teachers as undermining the position of fieldwork in science education and goes on to comment on potential consequences of large-scale organizational change in schools.
Opportunistic Interference Aligned User Selection in Multiuser MIMO Interference Channels (2010)

In this paper, we propose a practical interference alignment technique based on an opportunistic user selection in a three-user 2 ×2 MIMO interference channel where no information is allowed to be shared among transmitters. In the proposed scheme, the user whose interference signals from other transmitters are most aligned with each other is selected at each transmitter. We also investigate optimal and suboptimal beamforming at the selected receiver using extra degrees of freedom by multiple receive antennas. The proposed opportunistic interference aligned user selection (OIAUS) schemes combined with various postprocessing vectors are shown to achieve notable capacity compared to conventional opportunistic user selection schemes while they significantly reduce not only the amount of feedback information but also computational complexity.
A Framework for Image Based Authentication (2006)

This paper presents an innovative framework for user authentication based on images. Common user authentication based on passwords has the main drawback of the human difficulty in recalling them. Images are instead easier to remember than passwords. Moreover, modern compression and transmission techniques make image exchange between different devices (e.g. mobile phones, personal digital assistants, laptops, and workstations) in heterogeneous networks practically feasible. In the proposed approach, images are coded using the emerging JPEG2000 standard and taking advantage of many of its features (e.g. image scalability, embedded bitstream, image tiling, and interactivity protocol). The described image based authentication is more secure than the common approach based on passwords.
Matrix row-column sampling for the many-light problem (2007)

Rendering complex scenes with indirect illumination, high dynamic range environment lighting, and many direct light sources remains a challenging problem. Prior work has shown that all these effects can be approximated by many point lights. This paper presents a scalable solution to the many-light problem suitable for a GPU implementation. We view the problem as a large matrix of sample-light interactions; the ideal final image is the sum of the matrix columns. We propose an algorithm for approximating this sum by sampling entire rows and columns of the matrix on the GPU using shadow mapping. The key observation is that the inherent structure of the transfer matrix can be revealed by sampling just a small number of rows and columns. Our prototype implementation can compute the light transfer within a few seconds for scenes with indirect and environment illumination, area lights, complex geometry and arbitrary shaders. We believe this approach can be very useful for rapid previewing in applications like cinematic and architectural lighting design.
Efficient composite data flow analysis applied to concurrent programs (1998)

FLAVERS, a tool for verifying properties of concurrent systems, uses composite data flow analysis to incrementally improve the precision of the results of its verifications. Although FLAVERS is one of the few static analysis techniques for concurrent systems that has the potential to handle large scale systems, it sometimes can still be very expensive to use. In this paper we experimentally compare the cost of two versions of this approach for solving composite data flow analysis problems. The first version, product-based, uses the more straightforward approach, and the second, tuple-based, is built around the idea of reducing analysis space requirements at the expense of analysis time. We demonstrate experimentally, by analyzing properties of actual concurrent programs, that the tuple-based version is comparable in time to the product-based version but for large composite data flow problems it requires several orders of magnitude less space.