gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Preliminary evidence from a multicenter prospective observational study of the safety and efficacy of chloroquine for the treatment of COVID-19 (2020)

Abstract Background Effective therapies are urgently needed for the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Chloroquine has been proved to have antiviral effect against coronavirus in vitro. In this study, we aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of chloroquine with different doses in COVID-19. Method In this multicenter prospective observational study, we enrolled patients older than 18 years old with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection excluding critical cases from 12 hospitals in Guangdong and Hubei Provinces. Eligible patients received chloroquine phosphate 500mg, orally, once (half dose) or twice (full dose) daily. Patients treated with non-chloroquine therapy were included as historical controls. The primary endpoint is the time to undetectable viral RNA. Secondary outcomes include the proportion of patients with undetectable viral RNA by day 10 and 14, hospitalization time, duration of fever, and adverse events. Results A total of 197 patients completed chloroquine treatment, and 176 patients were included as historical controls. The median time to achieve an undetectable viral RNA was shorter in chloroquine than in non-chloroquine (absolute difference in medians −6.0 days; 95% CI −6.0 to −4.0). The duration of fever is shorter in chloroquine (geometric mean ratio 0.6; 95% CI 0.5 to 0.8). No serious adverse events were observed in the chloroquine group. Patients treated with half dose experienced lower rate of adverse events than with full dose. Conclusions Although randomised trials are needed for further evaluation, this study provides evidence for safety and efficacy of chloroquine in COVID-19 and suggests that chloroquine can be a cost-effective therapy for combating 102 the COVID-19 pandemic.
DIFFERENTIAL EFFECTS OF PROSTAGLANDINS ON CANINE INTRAPULMONARY ARTERIES AND VEINS (1981)

1 The sensitivity and contractility of isolated canine intrapulmonary arteries and veins to a variety of primary prostaglandin compounds was studied.2 Intrapulmonary arteries produced no measurable contractile responses to prostaglandin A(1) (PGA(1)), PGA(2), PGB(1), PGD(2), PGE(1), PGE(2) or to PGF(1alpha). However, high concentrations of both PGB(2) (> 10(-7) M) and PGF(2alpha) (> 10(-6) M) elicited concentrated-related, but weak, contractile responses, measuring only 5-25% of KCl-induced maximum contractions.3 Intrapulmonary arteries, partially contracted by 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), exhibited concentration-related relaxations in response to PGE(1); PGE(2), PGA(1) or PGA(2) produced only weak superimposed contractions.4 In contrast to intrapulmonary arteries, intrapulmonary veins contracted in a concentration-related fashion to all prostaglandins tested, where the contractile sensitivity was (based on EC(50) s and threshold concentrations): PGB(2) > PGB(1) > PGD(2) > PGF(2alpha) > PGA(2) >> PGA(1) > PGF(1alpha) > PGE(2) > PGE(1).5 In terms of the ability to generate maximum contractile responses on intrapulmonary veins, the prostaglandins were also variable, with PGA(2) and PGB(2) being the most potent and PGD(2) the least potent.6 Intrapulmonary veins, partially contracted by 5-HT, exhibited concentration-related relaxations to PGE(1) at low concentrations, followed by secondary contractile responses at higher concentrations.7 Neither PGA(1) nor PGA(2) (3.4 x 10(-8) to 3.4 x 10(-5) M) inhibited or potentiated 5-HT responses of intrapulmonary arteries.8 These data suggest that there are species, regional and major qualitative and quantitative, differences in the responsiveness of intrapulmonary arteries and veins to prostaglandin.
Carotid Intima-Media Thickness Is Correlated with Impairment of Coronary Flow Reserve in Hypertensive Patients without Coronary Artery Disease (2003)

Hypertensive individuals occasionally experience angina-like chest pain despite having angiographically normal coronary arteries, and the etiology of this phenomenon has been suggested to be associated with depressed coronary flow reserve (CFR). Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) assessed by ultrasound is correlated with not only cerebrovascular disease but also coronary artery disease and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). The aim of our study was to investigate the association between CFR and carotid IMT in patients with essential hypertension. We performed transthoracic Doppler recording of diastolic coronary flow velocity in the left anterior descending coronary artery at baseline and after maximal vasodilation by adenosine triphosphate infusion in 24 normotensive subjects and 125 hypertensive patients. CFR was defined as the ratio of hyperemic to basal averaged peak coronary flow velocity. Common cardiovascular risk factors, left ventricular mass index (LVMI), relative wall thickness (RWT), and carotid IMT were evaluated. The CFR of hypertensive patients (2.55 +/- 0.52) was significantly decreased compared with that of normotensive subjects (3.15 +/- 0.45). CFR showed a significant correlation with age, systolic blood pressure, RWT, and carotid IMT. Stepwise regression analysis revealed that, among carotid IMT, LVMI and RWT, only carotid IMT was a strong and independent parameter for predicting CFR in hypertensive patients. In conclusion, B-mode ultrasound scanning of the carotid artery seemed to be of clinical value in the screening of patients with LVH and impaired microcoronary circulation. These associations may explain the links between cardiac and cerebrovascular involvements in patients with hypertension.
Generation of RF radiation by laser pulse trains in air (2022)

We analyze and numerically simulate a mechanism for generating directed rf radiation when a laser pulse train propagates and forms a plasma filament in air. The role of background radiation levels plays an important role in the ionization process. Photo-ionization of the background negative ions provides the seed electrons necessary to initiate collisional ionization with the air molecules. In this ionization mechanism, the peak intensity of the laser pulse train is far below the tunneling ionization level. The collisionally-ionized electrons are driven radially outward by the ponderomotive force associated with the laser pulses. The resulting oscillating radial currents generate rf radiation mainly in the direction of the laser pulses. The rf frequency is directly related to the laser pulse separation time in the pulse train. The ionization and rf generation mechanism is analyzed using a non-relativistic fluid model which incorporates, among other things, the effects of background radiation, photo-ionization, collisional ionization, ponderomotive and space charge effects, and attachment/recombination processes. The electron density build-up and rf radiation level and directionality are obtained. The results of our analysis and simulations are in good agreement with experiments employing laser pulse trains ionizing air and generating rf radiation.
Smart Antennas Using a GA (2006)

This chapter contains sections titled: Amplitude and Phase Adaptive Nulling Phase-Only Adaptive Nulling Adaptive Reflector Adaptive Crossed Dipoles
The Noggin null mouse phenotype is strain dependent and haploinsufficiency leads to skeletal defects (2006)

Noggin is a secreted peptide that binds and inactivates Bone Morphogenetic Proteins, members of the transforming growth factor beta superfamily of secreted signaling molecules. In vertebrate limbs, Noggin is expressed in condensing cartilage and immature chondrocytes. Inactivation of the Noggin gene has been reported in an inbred 129X1/SvJ mouse genetic background. The null allele was lethal at 18.5 dpc and resulted in severe hyperplasia of the cartilage together with multiple joint fusions. In order to investigate the effect of the genetic background on the phenotypic manifestation of Noggin inactivation, we crossed the Noggin null allele into the outbred CD1 and inbred DBA1 and C57BL/6 mouse strains. We describe here skeletal phenotypes of Noggin null mice, such as accelerated or delayed mineralization of different bones suggestive of a complex tissue response to the perturbations in BMP balances. Additionally, we found that in the absence of Noggin, early specification of myogenic differentiation was unaffected, whereas terminal stages of myogenesis were delayed. Furthermore, we have discovered Noggin haploinsufficiency leading to carpal and tarsal fusions reminiscent of some phenotypes reported for NOGGIN haploinsufficiency in humans.
Low-profile VHF-UHF dipole on a loaded electromagnetic band gap surface (2016)

In this paper, a dipole antenna dedicated to VHF-UHF airborne application is presented. The use of a modified Loaded Electromagnetic Band Gap (LEBG) structure in close proximity to the radiating element gives rise to a thin and low-weight antenna with reproducible radiating performances. The initial antenna concept has been validated through measurements. Its radiating characteristics (high gain and shaped patterns) are significantly improved compared to the one of an existing antenna based on absorber backed summed dipoles. Finally, the communication highlights an optimized dipole antenna fitting with main requirements for next generation of low-frequency sensors.
Heuristic Resource Provisioning for Dynamic Wavelength Services with Access Port Constraints (2011)

This paper introduces a fast heuristic resource provisioning algorithm for dynamic wavelength services on agile reconfigurable ROADM networks on which customer connections are only constrained by access ports.
Stable grasping with a multi-fingered robot hand: a behavior-based approach (2002)

The paper describes the software design approach and implementation of a stable grasp strategy to control a multifingered robot hand in a dynamic and uncertain environment. The overall design starts with a reactive system, called the Grasp Reactor, which measures the environment, and produces actions based on the environmental situations present. To improve the robustness of the Grasp Reactor, it is augmented with a deliberative component which executes concurrently with the Grasp Reactor. This component, called the Grasp Advisor, communicates global constraints to the Grasp Reactor to improve its decision making capability.
Direct measurement of the transmission spectrum of an intracavity electro-optic birefringent filter using cavity ringdown spectroscopy (2003)

Birefringent filters are often used in laser resonators to obtain narrowband operation [1]. However, the intracavity birefringent filter has never been characterized directly. Cavity ringdown spectroscopy (CRDS) [2] is an ideal technique to measure the effective insertion loss spectrum of such a filter.
Morphology of transient cavitation in 300 bar resonator (2007)

Details of the observed evolution of a high pressure transient cavitation event are described. The combination of photomultiplier tubes, hydrophones, fiber optic hydrophone, laser to photo diode light blocking methods are used to explore the evolution of a transient bubble cloud event from ns to ms time scales. [Work supported by SMDC Contract No. W9113M-07-C-0178.]
The effect of body mass index on the outcomes of cementless medial mobile‐bearing unicompartmental knee replacements (2021)

Cementless mobile-bearing UKR has low 10-year reoperation and revision rates across in all BMI groups, and there are no significant differences between the groups. Although higher BMI groups had slightly worse functional outcomes, the improvement in function compared to preoperatively tended to be better. This study suggests that BMI should not be considered a contraindication for the cementless mobile-bearing UKR.
SARS-CoV-2 escapes CD8 T cell surveillance via mutations in MHC-I restricted epitopes (2020)

Abstract CD8+ T cell immunity to SARS-CoV-2 has been implicated in COVID-19 severity and virus control, though direct evidence has been lacking so far. Here, we identified non-synonymous mutations in MHC-I restricted CD8+ T cell epitopes after deep sequencing of 747 SARS-CoV- 2 virus isolates. Mutant peptides exhibited diminished or abrogated MHC-I binding, which was associated with a loss of recognition and functional responses by CD8+ T cells isolated from HLA-matched COVID-19 patients. Our findings highlight the capacity of SARS-CoV-2 to subvert CD8+ T cell surveillance through escape mutations in MHCI-restricted viral epitopes. This provides evolutionary evidence for CD8+ T cell immunity controlling SARS-CoV-2 with consequences for COVID-19 vaccine design.
The Amazing Mysteries of the Gutter: Drawing Inferences Between Panels in Comic Book Narratives (2016)

Visual narrative is often a combination of explicit information and judicious omissions, relying on the viewer to supply missing details. In comics, most movements in time and space are hidden in the "gutters" between panels. To follow the story, readers logically connect panels together by inferring unseen actions through a process called "closure". While computers can now describe what is explicitly depicted in natural images, in this paper we examine whether they can understand the closure-driven narratives conveyed by stylized artwork and dialogue in comic book panels. We construct a dataset, COMICS, that consists of over 1.2 million panels (120 GB) paired with automatic textbox transcriptions. An in-depth analysis of COMICS demonstrates that neither text nor image alone can tell a comic book story, so a computer must understand both modalities to keep up with the plot. We introduce three cloze-style tasks that ask models to predict narrative and character-centric aspects of a panel given n preceding panels as context. Various deep neural architectures underperform human baselines on these tasks, suggesting that COMICS contains fundamental challenges for both vision and language.
An MR-Compatible Haptic Interface With Seven Degrees of Freedom (2018)

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is a powerful tool for neuroscience. It allows the visualization of active areas in the human brain. Combining this method with haptic interfaces allows one to conduct human motor control studies with an opportunity for standardized experimental conditions. However, only a small number of specialized MR-compatible haptic interfaces exist that were mostly built around specific research questions. The devices are designed for pure translational, rotational, or grasping movements. In this work, we present a novel MR-compatible haptic interface with seven degrees of freedom (DoF), which allows for both translations and rotations in three DoF each, as well as a two-finger precision grasp. The presented haptic interface is the first one with these capabilities and is designed as a universal tool for human motor control studies involving fMRI. It allows for the switching of the paradigm to reprogramming rather than redesigning when moving on to a new research question. We introduce its kinematics and control, along with results of MR compatibility tests and a preliminary fMRI study, showing the applicability of the device.
Quantitative Analysis of the Substrate Specificity of Human Rhinovirus 3C Protease and Exploration of Its Substrate Recognition Mechanisms (2019)

Human rhinovirus 3C protease (HRV 3C-P) is a high-value commercial cysteine protease that could specifically recognize the short peptide sequence of LEVLFQ↓GP. In here, a strategy based on our previous Yeast Endoplasmic Reticulum Sequestration Screening (YESS) approach was developed in <i>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</i>, a model microorganism, to fully characterize the substrate specificity of a typical human virus protease, HRV 3C-P, in a quantitative and fast manner. Our results demonstrated that HRV 3C-P had very high specificity at P1 and P1' positions, only recognizing Gln/Glu at the P1 position and Gly/Ala/Cys/Ser at the P1' position, respectively. Comparably, it exhibited efficient recognition of most residues at the P2' position, except Trp. Further biochemical characterization through site mutagenesis, enzyme structural modeling, and comparison with other 3C proteases indicated that the S1 pocket of HRV 3C-P was constituted by neutral and basic amino acids, in which His160 and Thr141 specifically interacted with Gln or Glu residues at the substrate P1 position. Additionally, the stringent S1' pocket determined its unique property of only accommodating residues without or with short side chains. Based on our characterization, LEVLFQ↓GM was identified as a more favorable substrate than the original LEVLFQ↓GP at high temperature, which might be caused by the conversion of random coils to β-turns in HRV 3C-P along with the temperature increase. Our studies prompted a further understanding of the substrate specificity and recognition mechanism of HRV 3C-P. Besides, the YESS-PSSC combined with the enzyme modeling strategy in this study provides a general strategy for deciphering the substrate specificities of proteases.
Neuronal Maturation-dependent Nano-Neuro Interaction and Modulation (2022)

Abstract Nanotechnology-enabled neuromodulation, a rapidly growing technique, is a promising minimally-invasive tool in neuroscience and engineering for both fundamental studies as well as clinical applications. However, the nano-neuro interactions at different stages of maturation of a neural network and its implications on the nano-neuromodulation remain unclear. Here, we report heterogeneous to homogenous transformation of neuromodulation in a progressively maturing neural network. Utilizing plasmonic fluors as ultrabright fluorescent nanolabels, we reveal that negative surface charge of the nanoparticles renders selective nano-neuro interaction with a strong correlation between the maturation stage of the individual neurons in the neural network and the density of the nanoparticles bound on the neurons. In stark contrast to homogeneous neuromodulation in a mature neural network reported so far, the maturation-dependent density of the nanoparticles bound to neurons in a developing neural network resulted in a heterogeneous optical neuromodulation (i.e., simultaneous excitation and inhibition of neural network activity). This study advances our understanding of nano-neuro interactions and nano-neuromodulation with potential applications in minimally-invasive technologies for treating neuronal disorders in parts of mammalian brain where neurogenesis persists throughout aging.
A novel approach for registering mismatched PET and CT data sets in PET/CT imaging (2006)

670 Objectives: The registration of mismatched PET and CT images following a PET/CT scan is usually performed using a global approach whereby the whole PET and CT volumes are registered to one another. The accuracy of this technique decreases when using deformable registration methods applied to non rigid bodies such a patients. The aim of this abstract is to introduce and evaluate a new piecewise registration approach for whole body mismatched PET and CT data sets. Methods: The new registration technique relies first on globally registering the PET and CT data sets to one another as a first approximation. The resulting PET and CT image sets are then segmented around the point of articulation depending on the number of mismatched body parts. The segmented regions are then piecewise registered by maximizing mutual information. The derived volumes are finally stitched together. To evaluate this scheme, two NEMA/IEC phantoms, each containing six spheres (ID: 10, 13, 17, 22, 28, 37 mm) and a lung insert were filled with F-18 water (Sphere to Background ration of 5/1) and placed back to back in the FOV of a GE DRX PET/CT scanner. A CT scan (120kVp, 150mA, 0.5 sec rotation, pitch of 1.375, 16*1.25) covering both phantoms was then acquired. The CT scan was then followed by a PET acquisition. However just before the PET scan was initiated, one of the phantoms was rotated by 9 degrees clockwise along its edge (figure 1: volume rendered views of the CT & PET Phantom). The PET data was acquired in 2D mode for a duration of 5 min. and then reconstructed using OSEM (2 It, 35 subsets). Image processing to correct for the mismatch between the PET and CT data sets was then conducted as described above. The piecewise registered and stitched images were then visually compared to those of the first pass (global) registration as well as to the originally unregistered PET and CT images. Results: Figure 2 shows the overlay of the PET images (A,C,S) onto the CT data; Top and bottom rows represent two locations in the image (one remains almost stationary (lower) while the other is free to rotate (upper). Results after No registration; Rigid registration, and Partitioned Registration are shown. Notice the broad improment in counts and fusion following partitioned rendering (Upper-Right). Conclusions: The new approach to register mismatched PET and CT images following a PET/CT scan seems to outperform the global registration approach. A quantitative analysis of the accuracy of this registration as well as its clinical validation is currently underway.
Characterization of isolated yeast growth response to methionine analogs (2013)

Methionine is one of the first limiting amino acids in poultry nutrition. The use of methionine-rich natural feed ingredients, such as soybean meal or rapeseed meal may lead to negative environmental consequences. Amino acid supplementation leads to reduced use of protein-rich ingredients. The objectives of this study were isolation of potentially high content methionine-containing yeasts, quantification of methionine content in yeasts and their respective growth response to methionine analogs. Minimal medium was used as the selection medium and the isolation medium of methionine-producing yeasts from yeast collection and environmental samples, respectively. Two yeasts previously collected along with six additional strains isolated from Caucasian kefir grains, air-trapped, cantaloupe, and three soil samples could grow on minimal medium. Only two of the newly isolated strains, K1 and C1, grew in minimal medium supplied with either methionine analogs ethionine or norleucine at 0.5% (w/v). Based on large subunit rRNA sequences, these isolated strains were identified as Pichia udriavzevii/Issatchenkia orientalis. P. kudriavzevii/I. orentalis is a generally recognized as a safe organism. In addition, methionine produced by K1 and C1 yeast hydrolysate yielded 1.3 ± 0.01 and 1.1 ± 0.01 mg g(-1) dry cell. Yeast strain K1 may be suitable as a potential source of methionine for dietary supplements in organic poultry feed but may require growth conditions to further increase their methionine content.
Acute Renal Failure and Multiple Organ Dysfunction in the ICU: From Renal Replacement Therapy (RRT) to Multiple Organ Support Therapy (MOST) (2002)

Renal replacement therapy (RRT) has evolved from the concept that we need to treat the dysfunction of a single organ (the kidney). As intensive care units have become more and more complex, it has become clear that the majority of patients with acute renal failure often have dysfunction of several other organs. In order to facilitate single organ support in this setting, continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) techniques have been developed. However, CRRT has opened the door to the concept that targeting renal support as the only goal of extracorporeal blood purification may be a simplistic view of our therapeutic aims. In this article we argue that it is now time to move from the simple goal of achieving adequate renal support. The proper goal of extracorporeal blood purification in ICU should be multi-organ support therapy (MOST). We explain why MOST represents the most logical future conceptual and practical evolution of CRRT and illustrates the biological rationale, supplying animal and clinical evidence that confirms the need to move rapidly in this direction theoretically, practically and technologically.