gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Elevated Serum Interleukin-7 Levels Precede the Development of Acute Graft-Versus-Host Disease. (2007)

Abstract BACKGROUND: Despite advances in transplantation immunology, there is no clinically practical tool to predict acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Murine models indicate that aGVHD is promoted by interleukin-7 (IL-7), a homeostatic cytokine for naïve CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells. We hypothesized that serum IL-7 levels might be associated with the development of aGVHD in patients (pts) undergoing allogeneic HSCT, and evaluated this using serum samples obtained for this purpose in a prospective clinical trial. METHODS: Thirty-one pts underwent allogeneic HSCT from HLA-identical siblings. Pts received 1 to 3 pre-transplant chemotherapy cycles to induce profound, uniform host lymphopenia (CD4&lt;100), followed by fludarabine-based reduced-intensity conditioning. GVHD prophylaxis was cyclosporine &amp; methotrexate. Serum IL-7 was measured by ELISA at baseline and multiple time points from the day of transplant through 1 year after allogeneic HSCT. IL-7 levels were evaluated for associations with blood lymphocyte counts, aGVHD, and survival. Other variables examined for association with aGVHD were pt and donor age; CD3+ and CD34+ cell doses; donor gender; donor-recipient gender mismatch; donor or recipient CMV status, prior rituximab therapy; donor lymphoid or myeloid chimerism &gt;95% at day +14; serum IL-15 levels; and levels of soluble tumor necrosis factor-α receptors 1 and 2 (sTNFR1 and sTNFR2). RESULTS: Grades I, II, and III aGVHD occurred in 3%, 23%, and 19%, respectively; none had grade IV. Median (range) IL-7 levels rose from baseline 12.1 (0–46.9) pg/ml to 37 (13.3–79.2) pg/ml on day 0 before allografting, then fell to 12.0 (1.3–74.7) pg/ml by day +14; these changes were inversely correlated with absolute lymphocyte counts, CD3, CD4, and CD8 counts at baseline and day +7. The development of aGVHD was associated with IL-7 levels at day +7 (p=0.01) and day +14 (p=0.000033) post-transplant (Figure), along with the allograft CD34+ cell dose (p=0.012). Higher IL-7 levels at day +14 corresponded to more severe grades of aGVHD (p&lt;0.0001). Figure Figure In logistic regression models, these factors jointly classified pts according to development or avoidance of aGVHD with a maximum sensitivity of 86% and a specificity of 100%. IL-7 levels were more strongly associated with aGVHD than were sTNFR levels or other parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Determination of serum IL-7 levels in the early post-transplant period accurately predicted the risk of developing aGVHD after allogeneic HSCT and holds promise as a simple, reproducible test to select pts for pre-emptive therapy. These data support preclinical observations that demonstrate a critical role for IL-7 in inducing aGVHD and provide a rational basis for novel approaches to GVHD prophylaxis through modulation of the IL-7 homeostatic pathway.
Wear effects and mechanisms of soot-contaminated automotive lubricants (2006)

A study has been carried out to investigate the influence of soot-contaminated automotive lubricants in the wear process of a simulated engine valve train contact. Previous research on this topic has been mainly performed from a chemical point of view in fundamental studies, with insufficient relevance to real engine conditions, i.e. load and geometry. This study investigates the conditions under which wear occurs through specimen testing. The objective of the work was to understand the wear mechanisms that occur within the contaminated contact zone, to help in future development of a predictive wear model to assist in the valve-train design process. The effects of soot in lubricants have been tested using a reciprocating test-rig specifically designed for this application, where a steel disc is held in a bath of oil and a steel ball (replicating a valve train contact) is attached to a reciprocating arm. The materials, contact geometry and loading conditions are all related to specific conditions experienced within an engine's valve train. The testing was carried out under various contact conditions, using carbon black as a soot simulant. Wear measurements were taken during the tests and wear scar morphology was studied. The results have revealed how varying lubrication conditions changes the wear rate of engine components and determines the wear mechanism that dominates for specific situations.
Leptin treatment increases suppressors of cytokine signaling in central and peripheral tissues (1999)

Leptin concentrations are elevated in the majority of obese individuals raising the possibility that leptin resistance contributes to their obesity. Peripheral leptin administration for 48 h caused a several-fold increase in mRNA encoding the suppressors of cytokine signaling SOCS-3 and CIS in hypothalamus and peripheral tissues. Paradoxically, CIS and SOCS-3 mRNAs are also elevated in the leptin-deficient ob/ob mouse. Forced expression of CIS in insulinoma cells prevented transactivation mediated by leptin. Thus tissues continuously exposed to leptin and/or other factors associated with obesity accumulate excessive amounts of SOCS-3 and CIS which could provide a potential mechanism for leptin resistance.
Aggressive steroid weaning after cardiac transplantation is possible without the additional risk of significant rejection (2008)

Steroid withdrawal by one yr after CTX using a contemporary immunosuppressive regimen is possible in most patients. In comparison with a slower steroid wean, a faster wean is not associated with an excess of significant rejection in the first two yr post CTX.
Origins and Distribution of Cholinergically Induced β Rhythms in Hippocampal Slices (2000)

Regional variations and substrates of high-frequency rhythmic activity induced by cholinergic stimulation were studied in hippocampal slices with 64-electrode recording arrays. (1) Carbachol triggered beta waves (17.6 +/- 5.7 Hz) in pyramidal regions of 75% of the slices. (2) The waves had phase shifts across the cell body layers and were substantially larger in the apical dendrites than in cell body layers or basal dendrites. (3) Continuous, two-dimensional current source density analyses indicated apical sinks associated with basal sources, lasting approximately 10 msec, followed by apical sources and basal sinks, lasting approximately 20 msec, in a repeating pattern with a period in the range of 15-25 Hz. (4) Carbachol-induced beta waves in the hippocampus were accompanied by 40 Hz (gamma) oscillations in deep layers of the entorhinal cortex. (5) Cholinergically elicited beta and gamma rhythms were eliminated by antagonists of either AMPA or GABA receptors. Benzodiazepines markedly enhanced beta activity and sometimes introduced a distinct gamma frequency peak. (6) Twenty Hertz activity after orthodromic activation of field CA3 was distributed in the same manner as carbachol-induced beta waves and was generated by a current source in the apical dendrites of CA3. This source was eliminated by high concentrations of GABA(A) receptor blockers. It is concluded that cholinergically driven beta rhythms arise independently in hippocampal subfields from oscillatory circuits involving (1) bursts of pyramidal cell discharges, (2) activation of a subset of feedback interneurons that project apically, and (3) production of a GABA(A)-mediated hyperpolarization in the outer portions of the apical dendrites of pyramidal neurons.
An Examination Protocol for Handling Programmable Answers Using a Public Blockchain (2021)

Examinations that involve programming, such as programming contests and certification exams, are common. However, current examination protocols require full trust in the operating organizations, which allows malicious organizations to cheat. As a countermeasure, efforts are being made to develop examination protocols that do not need a trusted authority. One way to build such a decentralized protocol is to apply blockchain. Several blockchain-based examination protocols have been proposed, but they can only handle a finite set of correct answers. We propose an examination protocol that can handle a set of correct answers defined by a program and mathematically guarantee the validity of the protocol. We also implement a programming contest platform based on the proposed method on Ethereum and show the feasibility of the method. Furthermore, we measure the economic cost of the method using the implementation and confirm that the method is feasible for approximately 30–40 USD.
HIV-1 superinfections in a cohort of commercial sex workers in Burkina Faso as assessed by an autologous heteroduplex mobility procedure (2004)

Autologous HMA procedure followed by acrylamide extraction of heteroduplexes allowed identifying HIV-1 co- and super-infections in a large cohort study. HIV-1 super-infection is not an uncommon phenomenon.
SynMyco transposon: engineering transposon vectors for efficient transformation of minimal genomes (2019)

Mycoplasmas are important model organisms for Systems and Synthetic Biology, and are pathogenic to a wide variety of species. Despite their relevance, many of the tools established for genome editing in other microorganisms are not available for Mycoplasmas. The Tn4001 transposon is the reference tool to work with these bacteria, but the transformation efficiencies (TEs) reported for the different species vary substantially. Here, we explore the mechanisms underlying these differences in four Mycoplasma species, Mycoplasma agalactiae, Mycoplasma feriruminatoris, Mycoplasma gallisepticum and Mycoplasma pneumoniae, selected for being representative members of each cluster of the Mycoplasma genus. We found that regulatory regions (RRs) driving the expression of the transposase and the antibiotic resistance marker have a major impact on the TEs. We then designed a synthetic RR termed SynMyco RR to control the expression of the key transposon vector elements. Using this synthetic RR, we were able to increase the TE for M. gallisepticum, M. feriruminatoris and M. agalactiae by 30-, 980- and 1036-fold, respectively. Finally, to illustrate the potential of this new transposon, we performed the first essentiality study in M. agalactiae, basing our study on more than 199,000 genome insertions.
FRACTIONATION OF ASPHALT MATERIALS BY USING SUPERCRITICAL CYCLOHEXANE AND PENTANE (1995)

ABSTRACT Fractionation of asphalt materials by using supercritical cyclohexane and pentane has been successfully conducted. Each of three asphalts was fractionated into ten fractions. These asphalts and their fractions were then characterized by a variety of analyses including Corbett chromatographic separation, infrared analysis, refractive index- and intrinsic viscosity-size exclusion chromatography (gel permeation chromatography), and elemental analysis by atomic absorption. The fractions were then reblended to produce materials of typical asphalt consistency. These blends were then subjected to oxidative aging in a pressure oxidation vessel and were found, in some cases, to have improved aging characteristics in the sense that they did not harden in response to a given carbonyl formation (oxidation) as much as normal asphalt materials. Hence, the supercritical fractionation technique is considered to have great potential for producing improved asphalt materials.
Establishment of humanized anti-interleukin-5 receptor alpha chain monoclonal antibodies having a potent neutralizing activity (2009)

Human interleukin-5 is the key cytokine involved in regulating the production and function of human eosinophils. IL-5 binds to its specific receptor composed of two heterogeneous alpha and beta polypeptide chains (hIL-5Ralpha and betac) that are expressed on the cell surface. The hIL-5Ralpha specifically binds IL-5 without involvement of the betac. It has been suggested that neutralizing antibodies to hIL-5Ralpha could serve as a therapeutic agent in eosinophil-associated diseases. We describe here the creation and biologic activities of a mouse monoclonal antibody against hIL-5Ralpha that blocks the following IL-5 dependent activities (a) binding of the IL-5 ligand to its receptor, (b) IL-5 dependent growth of hIL-5R expressing cells, and (c) IL-5-induced adhesion of human eosinophils. We also describe the process for humanization of the mouse Mab towards development of a therapeutic MAb. The humanized version of the monoclonal antibody also displayed potent neutralizing activity against IL-5 dependent activities.
The presence of DRB1*01 allele in multiple myeloma patients is associated with an indolent disease (2008)

The human leukocyte antigen (HLA) system could play an essential role in multiple myeloma (MM) disease control. This report describes the results comparing HLA-DRB1 phenotypic frequencies in 181 MM patients (53 smoldering/indolent MM and 128 symptomatic MM patients) and healthy individuals. Higher DRB1*01 phenotypic frequencies were found in the smoldering patients compared with symptomatic MM patients (38% vs 14%, P = 0.001) and with the healthy individuals (38% vs 22%, P = 0.01). Additionally, higher DRB1*07 phenotypic frequencies were found in symptomatic MM compared with control population (38% vs 28%, P = 0.01). The present data suggest that HLA-DRB1*01 individuals may have a better ability to efficiently present myeloma-related antigens to immunocompetent cells, which could favor a better immune response against the tumor. This would translate into a more appropriate disease control associated with more indolent disease and prolonged survival.
Condition monitoring of electric motors based on magnetometer measurements (2015)

Using micro-sensors in industrial applications is of great interest due to their small size, low-cost and little power consumption. However, the harsh environmental conditions encountered in an industrial environment have so far hindered the widespread use of, for example, MEMS-based sensors. Such sensors are particularly suited for mobile condition monitoring of industrial machinery as short time placement and operation of these sensors is typically unproblematic for many monitoring applications. In this paper we use a miniature triaxial geomagnetic sensor for condition monitoring of low voltage motors. The performance of the magnetometer is studied under conditions encountered in industry. Furthermore the magnetometer is used to measure magnetic fields of an electric motor in a healthy state and in case of a broken rotor bar. By frequency analysis of this data it is demonstrated that the magnetometer measurements can be employed to distinguish between these motor conditions.
FCC Superlattice Packing of Faceted Silver Nanocrystals (1997)

Abstract The ordering of size selected nanocrystaline particles into large, well ordered supercrystals has been under recent study. Here we describe the ordering of silver nanocrystals, of core diameter ca. 4.5nm, passivated with alkythiolate self-assembled monolayers. The faceted nanocrystals are found to size selectively condense into ordered supercrystals with edge lengths on the order of 0.1 to 0.5 microns. Further, evidence has been found in High Resolution TEM micrographs of packed monolayers of these same nanocrystals implying an orientational ordering of the silver nanocrystals’ atomic lattices within and co-aligning with the supercrystal’s “superlattice”. A three dimensional model using a truncated octahedron for the nanocrystal core morphology is constructed from this evidence into an FCC superlattice which fits the remaining experimental observations. Micrographs of the same region of a nanocrystal Ag supercrystal (NCASX) are shown in figure 1 under differing defocus conditions.
Situational Project Management for Collaborative Research Projects (2016)

Collaborative research projects form a specific project type, aimed at organizing innovation endeavors between industry, academic, and public partners. They've become increasingly widespread and their management is challenged due to ambiguously defined goals and the heterogeneous interests of many partners. We present a situation-specific approach that enables managers to select established project management knowledge according to changing needs along the project life cycle. Making use of thematic analysis, we develop a graphical framework to describe and analyze project situations. Further we establish situation profiles as a concept to relate each situation to a management method that corresponds with its managerial needs.
Structural Analysis of Human β-Defensin-1 and Its Significance in Urinary Tract Infection (2000)

Human beta-defensin-1 (hBD-1) is a 36-amino-acid antimicrobial peptide that functions in the host innate defense. We developed a highly sensitive radioimmunoassay for hBD-1 and identified several hBD-1 peptides in human kidney, urine, and plasma by amino acid sequencing and mass spectrometry. Large quantities of hBD-1 peptides are produced in the kidney, are released into the tubular lumen as 47-amino-acid pro-hBD1, and then undergo proteolytic processing and generate multiple truncated forms. The respective urine and plasma concentrations of hBD-1 in patients with pyelonephritis are 48.1 +/- (SEM) 15.7 pmol/mg creatinine and 2.66 +/- 0.41 pmol/ml, 3.1-fold and 1.8-fold those of normal individuals. hBD-1 is thought to contribute to mucosal defense in the urinary tract. Our findings provide a better understanding of the biosynthesis of this peptide and its pathophysiological significance in infectious diseases.
A robotic assistant system for cardiac interventions under MRI guidance (2010)

In this paper we present a surgical assistant system for implanting prosthetic aortic valve transapically under MRI guidance, in a beating heart. The system integrates an MR imaging system, a robotic system, as well as user interfaces for a surgeon to plan the procedure and manipulate the robot. A compact robotic delivery module mounted on a robotic arm is used for delivering both balloon-expandable and self-expanding prosthesis. The system provides different user interfaces at different stages of the procedure. A compact fiducial pattern close to the volume of interest is proposed for robot registration. The image processing and the transformation recovery methods using this fiducial in MRI are presented. The registration accuracy obtained by using this compact fiducial is comparable to the larger multi-spherical marker registration method. The registration accuracy using these two methods is less than 0.62&plusmn;0.50 deg (mean &plusmn; std. dev.) and 0.63&plusmn;0.72 deg (mean &plusmn; std. dev.), respectively. We evaluated each of the components and show that they can work together to form a complete system for transapical aortic valve replacement.
Assessment Tools for Basic Army Noncommissioned Officer Training (2009)

Abstract : The Army Research Institute Ft. Benning Research Unit and the Henry Caro Noncommissioned Officer Academy at Ft. Benning identified the need to create an objective assessment scheme for the Infantry Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course (BNCOC). The intent was to produce an assessment instrument that could be used for formative and summative assessment both of different versions of BNCOC and also of different research interventions into BNCOC. Assessment instruments were developed for two major training modules: small arms proficiency training (SAPT) and troop leading procedures (TLP). During development of the assessment instruments, the Infantry BNCOC pedagogical model changed from direct, instructor-led training to outcome-based training and education (OBTE) and a corresponding emphasis on intangibles. With the change to OBTE, the SAPT and TLP instruments are now being used by BNCOC cadre as instructional job aids. Lessons learned from both instruments were incorporated into an outline for OBTE instructor preparation. Additionally, both instruments will serve as foundation for follow-on development of assessments of the effect of research interventions associated with OBTE upon BNCOC students.
As El Niño builds, Pacific Warm Pool expands, ocean gains more heat (2016)

Abstract El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) effects substantial redistributions of ocean temperature, both horizontal and vertical, on interannual time scales, especially in the Pacific Ocean. Analyses of monthly Argo‐based ocean temperature maps illustrate large‐scale ocean heat content redistributions with ENSO. They quantify a globally averaged sea surface temperature warming of ~0.1°C with a 1°C increase of the Niño3.4 index (a moderate El Niño), a substantial perturbation to the 0.13°C decade −1 trend in sea surface temperature. Monthly satellite‐based estimates of Earth's energy imbalance suggest that a 1°C increase of the Niño3.4 index corresponds to an increase of ~3.4 ZJ in Earth's energy storage, more gently modulating the longer‐term ~114 ZJ decade −1 trend. Yearly global ocean heat content estimates based on ocean temperature data, with their reduced uncertainties compared to monthly maps, reveal interannual variations in Earth's energy storage that correspond well with satellite‐based estimates.
Broadband High-Power 18-Beam S-Band Klystron Amplifier Design (2009)

Fundamental-mode multiple-beam klystrons (MBKs) offer the potential of high power and broad bandwidth with low noise at low beam voltages in a compact amplifier form factor. This paper presents the design approach and methodology for an S-band MBK. This amplifier will be driven by a newly developed 41.6-A 42-kV 18-beam electron gun. The high total beam perveance permits the circuit design to achieve a peak power of 670 kW in S-band and a corresponding 1-dB bandwidth of 13% (16% at 3-dB). The high beam perveance, however, requires special considerations in the common collector design, particularly with respect to the spent modulated electron beams. To fully account for the impact of the time-varying beam current, the time-dependent 3-D gun/collector code MICHELLE was employed for this collector design.
Evaluation of knee voltage effect and soft turn-on characteristic on the load modulated continuous class-B/J power amplifier (2018)

The impact of knee voltage effect and soft turn-on characteristic of the practical transistor on the design space of load modulated (LM) continuous Class-B/J power amplifiers (PAs) is analyzed and improved design space is proposed in this paper. For LM continuous Class-B/J PAs with a practical transistor, the knee voltage effect has a noticeable effect on the dynamic load-lines when the dynamic load modulation at the current generator plane (CGP) is proceeding. The chosen load impedance of LM continuous Class-B/J PAs with optimum output power and efficiency at the 0 dB output power back-off (OPBO) can be affected by the knee voltage effect. The soft turn-on characteristic can lead to a non-null drain quiescent current at Class-B/J mode, which limits the dynamic OPBO range with high efficiency. Based on the Pedro load-line theory, the improved design space of LM continuous Class-B/J PAs can offer a more accurate prediction on the efficiency contours and provide more effective theory guidance in designing high-efficiency LM PAs.