gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
A Recombinant G Protein Plus Cyclosporine A–Based Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccine Elicits Humoral and Regulatory T Cell Responses against Infection without Vaccine-Enhanced Disease (2016)

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection can cause severe disease in the lower respiratory tract of infants and older people. Vaccination with a formalin-inactivated RSV vaccine (FI-RSV) and subsequent RSV infection has led to mild to severe pneumonia with two deaths among vaccinees. The vaccine-enhanced disease (VED) was recently demonstrated to be due to an elevated level of Th2 cell responses following loss of regulatory T (Treg) cells from the lungs. To induce high levels of neutralizing Abs and minimize pathogenic T cell responses, we developed a novel strategy of immunizing animals with a recombinant RSV G protein together with cyclosporine A. This novel vaccine induced not only a higher level of neutralizing Abs against RSV infection, but, most importantly, also significantly higher levels of Treg cells that suppressed VED in the lung after RSV infection. The induced responses provided protection against RSV challenge with no sign of pneumonia or bronchitis. Treg cell production of IL-10 was one of the key factors to suppress VED. These finding indicate that G protein plus cyclosporine A could be a promising vaccine against RSV infection in children and older people.
The Accidental Postmodernists: a New Era of Skepticism in Environmental Law (2014)

Environmental law and policy conflicts seem to have entered a new phase. The emergence of complex problems such as climate change and of complex technologies such as hydraulic fracturing and genetic modification have created new political and legal schisms that no longer break down predictably along pro-environment versus pro-business lines. Rather, a new era of skepticism seems to be taking hold in which antagonists spar over the epistemic legitimacy of certain claims made in support of a policy position. Environmental law and policy conflicts thus divide antagonists into two camps: self-styled positivists – scientists (physical, chemical, biological, and social) and environmental postmodernists, who seek to undermine the legitimacy of the positivists. Environmental postmodernists urge us to take a skeptical look at the claims of self-styled positivists, because they suspect their epistemic claims are part of an attempt to gerrymander environmental law. Some environmental postmodernists challenge the use of cost-benefit analysis, and others are climate skeptics, who contest the prevailing concern over global climate change. These new schisms produce strange bedfellows, but environmental postmodernists share a common objective of creating doubt and skepticism. I argue that environmental postmodernism can make a contribution: it can highlight dangerous policy situations in which a concentration of esoteric information can generate a power imbalance, and it can highlight the usefulness of transparency measures aimed only making information more publicly accessible and otherwise broadening process inputs. If this is the upshot of environmental postmodernism, it will have articulated a policy means of power diffusion, and therefore gone beyond the failures of Twentieth-century, post-structuralist postmodernism.  Larson Professor of Law, Florida State University College of Law. The author would like to thank Dean Kevin R. Johnson, Arden Rowell and Michael Livermore for their help and comments, and Robin Phillips and Kevin Alford for their research assistance. All errors are those of the author alone.
Policy Framework for the Next Generation Platform as a Service (2018)

The Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) model, allows service providers to build and deploy their services following streamlined work-flows. However, platforms deployed through the PaaS model can be very diverse in terms of technologies and involved subsystems (e.g. infrastructure, orchestration). Thus, the means for deploying and managing a service can significantly vary depending on the deployed platform. To address this issue, this paper proposes a policy-based framework designed for the Next Generation Platform-as-a-Service (NGPaaS). This framework allows service providers to define platform-wide and technology-agnostic policies to NGPaaS, by means of abstraction of the underlying platforms and the use of generic interfaces. The paper also presents a specific use case for the proposed framework, which targets network-oriented policies.
Genetic and pharmacologic inactivation of cannabinoid CB1 receptor inhibits angiogenesis (2011)

In this study we investigated the role of CB1 receptor signaling in angiogenesis and the therapeutic exploitation of CB1 inactivation as an antiangiogenic strategy. We started from the observation that CB1 receptor expression is induced during angiogenesis and that the endocannabinoid anandamide stimulated bFGF-induced angiogenesis in the nanomolar physiologic range. To define the functional involvement of CB1 receptor signaling during angiogenesis, 2 different strategies have been carried out: siRNA-mediated knockdown and pharmacologic antagonism of CB1 receptors. CB1 receptors inactivation resulted in the inhibition of bFGF-induced endothelial proliferation, migration, and capillary-like tube formation, through prosurvival and migratory pathways involving ERK, Akt, FAK, JNK, Rho, and MMP-2. To corroborate the potential therapeutic exploitation of CB1 blockade as an antiangiogenic strategy, we performed in vivo assays founding that CB1 blockade was able to inhibit bFGF-induced neovascular growth in the rabbit cornea assay. A relevant finding was the ability to reduce ocular pathologic neo-vascularization in mouse oxygen-induced retinopathy. These results demonstrate that CB1 signaling participates to the proliferative response elicited by proangiogenic growth factors in angiogenesis and that for this reason CB1 receptor could represent a novel target for the treatment of diseases where excessive neoangiogenesis is the underlying pathology.
Complex-network theoretic clustering for identifying groups of similar listeners in p2p systems (2007)

This article presents an approach to automatically create virtual communities of users with similar music preferences in a distributed system. Our goal is to create personalized music channels for these communities using the content shared by its members in peer-to-peer networks for each community. To extract these communities a complex network theoretic approach is chosen. A fully connected graph of users is created using epidemic protocols. We show that the created graph sufficiently converges to a graph created with a centralized algorithm after a small number of protocol iterations. To find suitable techniques for creating user communities, we analyze graphs created from real-world recommender datasets and identify specific properties of these datasets. Based on these properties, different graph-based community-extraction techniques are chosen and evaluated. We select a technique that exploits identified properties to create clusters of music listeners. The suitability of this technique is validated using a music dataset and two large movie datasets. On a graph of 6,040 peers, the selected technique assigns at least 85% of the peers to optimal communities, and obtains a mean classification error of less than 0.05% over the remaining peers that are not assigned to the best community.
Share split and stock market efficiency in India (2014)

Semi strong capital market efficiency with reference to the share split has been studied in this paper. The study has been based on the secondary market price data of the National Stock Exchange, India. The data for the calendar years 2003 to 2013 was analyzed and searched for the listed companies in CNX 200 to identify the companies which have split their equity shares during this period. The sample size was 56 companies after excluding the companies which have announced bonus issues during the year of share split and the companies for which there was no complete market price data from secondary sources. Event study methodology was followed for data analysis. Non parametric theta test was applied to test the significance of the changes in the number of companies showing positive abnormal return in the market. Also, the data collected was analysed to find out the wealth maximisation effect in the National Stock Exchange and the various sectors. The analysis has shown that the NSE and the sectors analyzed have reflected semi strong market efficiency and there is no wealth maximisation effect in the market.
Variational Particle Number Approach for Rational Compound Design (2005)

Within density functional theory, a variational particle number approach for rational compound design (RCD) is presented. An expression for RCD is obtained in terms of minimization of a suitably defined energy penalty functional whose gradients are the nuclear and the electronic chemical potential. Using combined quantum and molecular mechanics, a nonpeptidic anticancer drug candidate is designed.
Advances in the laboratory diagnostics of acute pancreatitis (1998)

Acute pancreatitis is a rather common abdominal disorder. In most patients the disease is mild, but about 20% of cases develop a severe necrotizing form of the disease with complications. In an emergency setting, the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis remains problematic and several patients with severe disease are diagnosed only at autopsy. Measurements of amylase or lipase are the principal laboratory methods for diagnosing acute pancreatitis. However, their sensitivity and specificity are generally considered unsatisfactory. Recent advances in the knowledge of the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis and advances in laboratory technology have revealed new diagnostic possibilities. Especially assays based on trypsin pathophysiology have brought new alternatives for diagnostics and severity grading of the disease. Additionally, development of phospholipase A2 determinations and discovery of a new pancreatic protein, pancreatitis-associated protein, are very interesting. This article summarizes the value of new methods in the laboratory diagnostics of acute pancreatitis.
Spatially coherent clustering applied to cardiac angiograms (2003)

Digitized X-ray angiograms of the left ventricle were clustered using a weighted Euclidean distance criterion with the constraint that the pixels in a cluster are spatially coherent. A three-dimensional feature space was used: position along x and y coordinates and image intensity. The spatial coherence constraint is based upon the belief that pixels within a cluster should be coherent in a spatial as well as an intensity sense. The results indicate that the clusters separate the left ventricle from other anatomical objects in the image and that this approach should be useful in cardiac volumetric analysis and wall-motion studies.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">></ETX>
Conjugates of Cisplatin and Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors as Potent Antitumor Agents Overcoming Cisplatin Resistance (2014)

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is an enzyme involved in tumorigenesis, and inhibitors of the enzyme are increasingly used as adjuvant modulators in anticancer therapies due to their synergistic effects with traditional chemotherapeutics. COX-2 is also reported to cause resistance towards antitumor agents, such as cisplatin. Here, the first covalently linked conjugates of cisplatin and COX inhibitors are reported. These conjugates exhibit concerted transport of both drugs into tumor cells and simultaneous action upon intracellular cleavage. These platinum(IV) complexes show highly increased cytotoxicity compared with cisplatin and are even able to overcome cisplatin-related resistance of tumor cells. While the results reported show that COX-2 inhibition is not directly responsible for the potent activities of these conjugates, they do represent useful tool compounds for the elucidation of the influence of COX inhibitors on the efficacy of antitumor agents.
ADAMTS13 and von Willebrand Factor in Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (2015)

Pathogenesis of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) was a mystery for over half a century until the discovery of ADAMTS13. ADAMTS13 is primarily synthesized in the liver, and its main function is to cleave von Willebrand factor (VWF) anchored on the endothelial surface, in circulation, and at the sites of vascular injury. Deficiency of plasma ADAMTS13 activity (<10%) resulting from mutations of the ADAMTS13 gene or autoantibodies against ADAMTS13 causes hereditary or acquired (idiopathic) TTP. ADAMTS13 activity is usually normal or modestly reduced (>20%) in other forms of thrombotic microangiopathy secondary to hematopoietic progenitor cell transplantation, infection, and disseminated malignancy or in hemolytic uremic syndrome. Plasma infusion or exchange remains the initial treatment of choice to date, but novel therapeutics such as recombinant ADAMTS13 and gene therapy are under development. Moreover, ADAMTS13 deficiency has been shown to be a risk factor for the development of myocardial infarction, stroke, cerebral malaria, and preeclampsia.
Toughening of polylactide by melt blending with linear low‐density polyethylene (2003)

Abstract Melt blending of polylactide and linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE) was performed in an effort to toughen polylactide. In addition, two model polylactide‐polyethylene (PLLA‐PE) block copolymers were investigated as compatibilizers. The LLDPE particle size and the impact resistance of binary and ternary blends were measured to determine the extent of compatibilization. For the amorphous polylactide (PLA), toughening was achieved only when a PLLA‐PE block copolymer was used as a compatibilizer. For the semicrystalline polylactide (PLLA), toughening was achieved in the absence of block copolymer. To decrease the variability in the impact resistance of the PLLA/LLDPE binary blend, as little as 0.5 wt % of a PLLA–;PE block copolymer was effective. The differences that were seen between the PLA and PLLA binary blends were investigated with adhesion testing. The semicrystalline PLLA did show significantly better adhesion to the LLDPE. We propose that tacticty effects on the entanglement molecular weight or miscibility of polylactide allow for the improved adhesion between the PLLA and LLDPE. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 3757–3768, 2003
Generation and evaluation of synthetic patient data (2020)

We discuss the trade-offs of the different methods and metrics, providing guidance on considerations for the generation and usage of medical synthetic data.
Justification and Legitimacy (2000)

In this chapter I will discuss the relationship between two of the most basic ideas in political and legal philosophy: the justification of the state and state legitimacy. I plainly cannot aspire here to a complete account of these matters, but I hope to be able to say enough to motivate a way of thinking about the relation between these notions that is, I believe, superior to the approach which seems to be dominant in contemporary political philosophy. Today, showing that a state is justified and showing that it is legitimate are typically taken to require the very same arguments. I will argue that this contemporary stance obscures the difference between two central ways in which we should (and do) morally evaluate states, and it generates confusions about other serious practical issues, such as those surrounding our moral obligations to comply with law.
Preparation and properties of immobilized naringinase using tannin-aminohexyl cellulose. (1978)

Naringinase from Aspergillus niger was immobilized with 58 to 100% yield by adsorbing the enzyme to tannin-aminohexyl cellulose prepared by reaction of aminohexyl cellulose and cyanogen bromide activated chinese gallotannin. Some enzymatic properties of the immobilized naringinase were investigated and compared with those of the native enzyme. The optimal pH (4_??_5) and optimal temperature (50°C) for enzyme reaction by the immobilized enzyme were the same as those of the native enzyme. The heat stability of the immobilized enzyme was better than that of the native naringinase. No significant difference of the Michaelis constant was detected. The operational stability of the immobilized naringinase column was investigated at 25°C and 37°C by passing a naringin solution and Natsudaidai juice continuously through it. In the case of a naringin solution, the activity of the immobilized enzyme column was very stable and its half-life was estimated to be 198 days at 25°C and 88 days at 37°C. However, in the case of Natsudaidai juice, the half-life of immobilized column was estimated to be 45 days at 25°C and 15 days at 37°C.
Type VI collagen turnover‐related peptides—novel serological biomarkers of muscle mass and anabolic response to loading in young men (2013)

While we cannot rule out the possibility that these biomarkers in part stem from other tissues, our results strongly indicate that these markers represent novel biomarkers of muscle mass or change in muscle mass in young men.
Deep Reinforcement Learning That Matters (2018)

In recent years, significant progress has been made in solving challenging problems across various domains using deep reinforcement learning (RL). Reproducing existing work and accurately judging the improvements offered by novel methods is vital to sustaining this progress. Unfortunately, reproducing results for state-of-the-art deep RL methods is seldom straightforward. In particular, non-determinism in standard benchmark environments, combined with variance intrinsic to the methods, can make reported results tough to interpret. Without significance metrics and tighter standardization of experimental reporting, it is difficult to determine whether improvements over the prior state-of-the-art are meaningful. In this paper, we investigate challenges posed by reproducibility, proper experimental techniques, and reporting procedures. We illustrate the variability in reported metrics and results when comparing against common baselines and suggest guidelines to make future results in deep RL more reproducible. We aim to spur discussion about how to ensure continued progress in the field by minimizing wasted effort stemming from results that are non-reproducible and easily misinterpreted.
Extracellular Superoxide Dismutase with Vaccinia Virus Anti-inflammatory Protein 35K or Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1: Combination Gene Therapy in the Treatment of Vein Graft Stenosis in Rabbits (2006)

Bypass graft surgery is limited by stenosis of vein grafts. Neointimal formation in vein graft stenosis is affected by oxidative stress, acute inflammatory response, and proliferation. Gene therapy offers a novel treatment strategy for vein graft stenosis because gene transfer can be done ex vivo during the graft operation. In this study we used adenovirus-mediated ex vivo gene transfer of extracellular superoxide dismutase (EC-SOD) alone or in combination with tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) or vaccinia virus antiinflammatory protein 35K to prevent vein graft stenosis in a jugular vein graft model in normocholesterolemic New Zealand White rabbits. Vein grafts were analyzed 14 and 28 days after the gene transfer, using histological methods. It was found that at the 2-week time point EC-SOD + 35K and EC-SOD + TIMP-1 combinations delivered by gene transfer were the most efficient treatments in decreasing neointimal formation. At the 4-week time point the effect was seen only in the EC-SOD + TIMP-1 combination group. The combination of antiinflammatory proteins (EC-SOD + 35K) was the most effective in reducing macrophage accumulation, which was still significant at the 4-week time point, but this did not prevent vein graft thickening. In conclusion, oxidative, inflammatory, and proliferative processes are important for neointimal formation in vein graft stenosis. In the rabbit model of vein graft disease, combination gene therapy with antioxidative, antiinflammatory, and antiproliferative genes was effective in decreasing neointimal formation. This may be because two different genes may more efficiently affect different pathogenetic pathways at the early stage of the disease process than gene transfer approaches based on single genes.
Transportation system modeling and applications in earthquake engineering (2010)

Transportation networks constitute one class of major civil infrastructure systems that is a critical backbone of modern society. Physical damage and functional loss to transportation infrastructure systems not only hinder everyday societal and commercial activities, but also impair post-disaster response and recovery, leading to substantial socio-economic consequences. Therefore, understanding and modeling the disastrous impact on the transportation infrastructures and the corresponding changes of travel patterns under extreme events are vital for stakeholders, emergency managers, and government agencies to mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from the potential impact.\n\nThis research is aimed at developing a systematic approach for risk modeling and disaster management of transportation systems in the context of earthquake engineering. First, by employing the performance metrics that are suited for immediate post-disaster response, this dissertation explores efficient methodologies to maximize the overall system functionality and the benefit of mitigation investment for transportation infrastructure systems. Furthermore, the regions potentially unreachable after a damaging earthquake are identified promptly by using network reachability algorithms that provide essential information for rapid emergency response decision-making. Lastly, an integrated simulation model of travel demand that accounts for damage of bridge and building structures, release of hazardous materials, and influences of emergency shelters and hospitals, is developed to approximate the “abnormal” post-earthquake travel patterns and evaluate the functional loss of the transportation systems.\n\nThis study extends the understanding of disaster management of transportation infrastructure systems. The methodologies developed in this study have the following significance: (i) help leverage available mitigation resources to improve the disaster resilience and functionality of transportation infrastructure systems; (ii) enable emergency response and recovery teams to rapidly identify and evaluate the performance of optimal routes for emergency ingress and egress; (iii) accurately estimate traffic congestion under extreme events; and (iv) provide important insights necessary to make decisions on protecting these systems to meet the needs of current and future generations.
Interactions (1987)

Abstract Interactions between several nutrient‐elements were studied in an extensive series of tomato, sweet corn and snapbean experiments, each at 9 production sites across Pennsylvania. Fertilizer treatments were NP and NPK applied as urea, triple superphosphate and muriate of potash, plus a check. Lime (calcitic or calcitic with 3% Mg) was applied at the recommended rate at each site. When NP treatment was compared to the check, leaf K was depressed, leaf Ca, Mg and Mn were enhanced, and yields were increased. When NPK was compared to NP, leaf K and Mn were enhanced, leaf Ca and Mg were depressed, and yields were increased, except with sweet corn. The increase in leaf Mg by NP was almost completely counteracted by addition of K. Leaf Mn was increased by NP and further enhanced by NPK, which prevented Mn deficiency at one site.