gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
3D object reconstruction using stereo and motion (1989)

The extraction of reliable range data from images is investigated, considering, as a possible solution, the integration of different sensor modalities. Two different algorithms are used to obtain independent estimates of depth from a sequence of stereo images. The results are integrated on the basis of the uncertainty of each measure. The stereo algorithm uses a coarse-to-fine control strategy to compute disparity. An algorithm for depth-from-motion is used, exploiting the constraint imposed by active motion of the cameras. To obtain a 3D description of the objects, the motion of the cameras is purposefully controlled, in such a manner as to move around the objects in view while the gaze is directed toward a fixed point in space. This egomotion strategy, which is similar to that adopted by the human visuomotor system, allows a better exploration of partially occluded objects and simplifies the motion equations. When tested on real scenes, the algorithm demonstrated a low sensitivity to image noise, mainly due to the integration of independent measures. An experiment performed on a real scene containing several objects is presented.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">></ETX>
Geothermal waste treatment biotechnology (1991)

Technical feasibility of a biotechnology based on biochemical reactions for detoxification of geothermal brines has been demonstrated. Laboratory-scale studies have shown that the emerging biotechnology is versatile and is applicable to a variety of geothermal sludges and materials with similar geochemical properties. Materials suitable for treatment are those which may contain few or many metals in concentrations exceeding those allowed by regulatory agencies. Comparison of several possible types of bioreactors and processes have led to the conclusion that a number of variables have to be considered in the design and development of a biochemical plant for the detoxification of geothermal type sludges. These include reactor size, effects of agitation, mixed cultures, state of the biomass, pH and dissolved oxygen, concentration of residual sludge, residence time, and temperature. Under optimum conditions, high rates of metal removal can be achieved. Some recent studies, dealing with the process variables and their optimization, will be discussed. 6 refs., 3 figs.
Path planning for autonomous underwater vehicle docking in stationary obstacle environment (2016)

In this paper, we study the curvature-constrained path planning problem for AUV docking in stationary obstacle environment. Expanded obstacle circles are used to redefine the polygonal obstacles, thus the curvature constraint is incorporated into the path planning algorithm. Unlike the existing algorithms that try to avoid the obstacles when the planning path collides with them, the novel algorithm proposed in this paper takes the overall situation into consideration from the very beginning. Modeling the path planning problem using graph theory, the algorithm guarantees to generate the optimal Dubins path in polynomial complexity. The simulation results show that this algorithm outperforms the existing ones in terms of the path length.
Disease controlling antirheumatic therapy in spondyloarthropathy. (2001)

The management of spondyloarthropathy (SpA) is based more on clinical presentation (axial vs peripheral involvement) than on actual disease diagnosis. Treatment is aimed at controlling inflammation, ankylosis, and abnormal posture. Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agents are the cornerstone of treatment for patients with axial involvement. If these do not work, disease controlling antirheumatic therapy is usually prescribed. Several drugs, particularly sulfasalazine, produce clinically significant improvement in patients with articular peripheral involvement. In contrast, the therapeutic options for patients with refractory axial involvement are very limited. For this group, "potential" (pamidronate, thalidomide) or "specific" (infliximab) tumor necrosis factor blockers are of potential interest and deserve further evaluation. Therapeutic efficacy is monitored chiefly according to clinical variables, although biochemical markers such as C reactive protein are also helpful.
A minimal peptide substrate in biotin holoenzyme synthetase‐catalyzed biotinylation (1999)

The Escherichia coli biotin holoenzyme synthetase, BirA, catalyzes transfer of biotin to the epsilon amino group of a specific lysine residue of the biotin carboxyl carrier protein (BCCP) subunit of acetyl-CoA carboxylase. Sequences of naturally biotinylated substrates are highly conserved across evolutionary boundaries, and cross-species biotinylation has been demonstrated in several systems. To define the minimal substrate requirements in BirA-catalyzed biotinylation, we have measured the kinetics of modification of a 23-residue peptide previously identified by combinatorial methods. Although the sequence of the peptide bears little resemblance to the biotinylated sequence in BCCP, it is enzymatically biotinylated in vivo. Rates of biotin transfer to the 23-residue peptide are similar to those determined for BCCP. To further elucidate the sequence requirements for biotinylation, transient kinetic measurements were performed on a series of amino- and carboxy-terminal truncations of the 23-mer. The results, determined by stopped-flow fluorescence, allowed identification of a 14-residue peptide as the minimum required sequence. Additional support was obtained using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometric analysis of peptides that had been incubated with an excess of biotinyl-5'-adenylate intermediate and catalytic amounts of BirA. Results of these measurements indicate that while kinetically inactive truncations showed no significant shift in molecular mass to the values expected for biotinylated species, kinetically active truncations exhibited 100% biotinylation. The specificity constant (k(cat)/Km) governing BirA-catalyzed biotinylation of the 14-mer minimal substrate is similar to that determined for the natural substrate, BCCP. We conclude that the 14-mer peptide efficiently mimics the biotin acceptor function of the much larger protein domain normally recognized by BirA.
Direct evidence for new T-cell generation by patients after either T-cell–depleted or unmodified allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantations (2002)

Abstract Successful allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) requires reconstitution of normal T-cell immunity. Recipient thymic activity, biologic features of the allograft, and preparative regimens all contribute to immune reconstitution. We evaluated circulating T-cell phenotypes and T-cell receptor rearrangement excision circles (TRECs) in 331 blood samples from 158 patients who had undergone allogeneic HSCTs. All patients had received myeloablative conditioning regimens and were full donor chimeras in remission. Younger patients exhibited more rapid recovery and higher TRECs (P = .02). Recipients of T-cell–depleted allografts initially had lower TRECs than unmodified allograft recipients (P < .01), but the difference abated beyond 9 months. TREC level disparities did not achieve significance among adults with respect to type of allograft. Measurable, albeit low, TREC values correlated strongly with severe opportunistic infections (P < .01). This finding was most notable during the first 6 months after transplantation, when patients are at greatest risk but before cytofluorography can detect circulating CD45RA+ T cells. Low TRECs also correlated strongly with extensive chronic graft-versus-host disease (P < .01). Recipients of all ages of either unmodified or T-cell–depleted allografts therefore actively generate new T cells. This generation is most notable among adult recipients of T-cell–depleted allografts, most of whom had also received antithymocyte globulin for rejection prophylaxis. Low TREC values are significantly associated with morbidity and mortality after transplantation. T-cell neogenesis, appropriate to age but delayed in adult recipients of T-cell– depleted allografts, justifies interventions to hasten this process and to stimulate desirable cellular immune responses.
Cross-cultural Dressing in the Late Ottoman Empire (2001)

Cross-cultural dressing is usually seen as a Western activity, but elite Ottomans would have been by the end of the empire perfectly accustomed to wearing Western clothes - something which challenges current theories about cross-cultural dressing. The following considers photographs of cross-cultural dressing in books written by two friends: the Ottoman Zeyneb Hanum, who with her sister, Melek Hanum, collaborated with Pierre Loti on his novel, Les Désenchantées, and the English feminist and Turkophile, Grace Ellison. Zeyneb Hanum's epistolary account, A Turkish Woman's European Impressions (1913), was edited by Ellison, whose own story of visits to Turkey, An Englishwoman in a Turkish Harem, appeared two years later in 1915. In both books the authors appear cross-culturally dressed, yet the images register very differently.
An approach to suppress RFI in ultrawideband low frequency SAR (2010)

The paper proposes an approach for the Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) suppression in ultrawideband (UWB) low frequency Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR). The basis of the approach is an Adaptive Line Enhancer (ALE) controlled by the Normalized Least Mean Square (NLMS) algorithm. The proposal is tested successfully on the simulated CARABAS-II data.
Functional Genomic Analysis of Three Nitrogenase Isozymes in the Photosynthetic Bacterium <i>Rhodopseudomonas palustris</i> (2005)

The photosynthetic bacterium Rhodopseudomonas palustris is one of just a few prokaryotes described so far that has vnf and anf genes for alternative vanadium cofactor (V) and iron cofactor (Fe) nitrogenases in addition to nif genes for a molybdenum cofactor (Mo) nitrogenase. Transcriptome data indicated that the 32 genes in the nif gene cluster, but not the anf or vnf genes, were induced in wild-type and Mo nitrogenase-expressing strains grown under nitrogen-fixing conditions in Mo-containing medium. Strains that were unable to express a functional Mo nitrogenase due to mutations in Mo nitrogenase structural genes synthesized functional V and Fe nitrogenases and expressed vnf and anf genes in nitrogen-fixing growth media that contained Mo and V at concentrations far in excess of those that repress alternative nitrogenase gene expression in other bacteria. Thus, not only does R. palustris have multiple enzymatic options for nitrogen fixation, but in contrast to reports on other nitrogen-fixing bacteria, the expression of its alternative nitrogenases is not repressed by transition metals. Between 95 and 295 genes that are not directly associated with nitrogenase synthesis and assembly were induced under nitrogen-fixing conditions, depending on which nitrogenase was being used by R. palustris. Genes for nitrogen acquisition were expressed at particularly high levels during alternative nitrogenase-dependent growth. This suggests that alternative nitrogenase-expressing cells are relatively starved for nitrogen and raises the possibility that fixed nitrogen availability may be the primary signal that controls the synthesis of the V and Fe nitrogenases.
Folate and the risk of colorectal, breast and cervix cancer: the epidemiological evidence (2001)

It is only recently that folate deficiency has been implicated in the development of cancer. The mechanisms by which folate might protect against cancer are not clear but may relate to its role in DNA methylation and DNA synthesis. All case-control, cohort and intervention trials reported in English, French, or German, on folate intake or blood levels in relation to the risk of colorectal, breast, and cervix cancer were reviewed. Twenty case-control, and 12 nested case-control or cohort studies were identified. The epidemiological studies consistently show an inverse association between intake and/or levels of folate and the frequency of colorectal carcinomas, and less clearly of adenomas. Long-term use of supplements of folate seems to be of greater benefit than dietary intake. The effect of folate seems to be modulated by alcohol, methionine, and MTHFR polymorphisms. Results from animal studies suggest that folate supplementation might decrease or increase cancer risk depending on dosage and timing. Recent studies also suggest an inverse association between folate intake and breast cancer among women who regularly consume alcohol. Conversely, epidemiological evidence remains uncertain for the role of folate in cervical cancer prevention; the results of two intervention trials on rates of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia regression or progression were negative. An effect of folate later in carcinogenesis is not supported by the few (nested) case-control studies on invasive cervical cancer. Some of the conflicting results may be due to the fact that dietary intake or blood levels of folate do not accurately reflect folate concentrations in the cells of cancer origin. Furthermore, only a few studies have taken into account the modulating effect of alcohol, methionine, and MTHFR polymorphisms in their analyses. The observed inverse associations between folate and risk of cancer, on the other hand, may be confounded by various factors, especially by other potentially protective constituents in fruits and vegetables. Ongoing intervention studies can strengthen evidence for causality by excluding such confounding, but the optimal dose, duration, and stage of carcinogenesis and the appropriate (genetically predisposed) study group for folate chemoprevention are not yet defined.
Sensor Network Protocols (2010)

Sensor networks continue to grow in importance for modern communication networks. Communication protocols are at the core of these networks, determining their ability to function, their capabilities, and the environments in which they are able to operate. In chapters carefully selected from the popular Handbook of Sensor Networks, Sensor Network Protocols supplies a sharply focused reference on protocols, security, data processing, and energy management in communication sensor networks that is ideal for specialists in the field. Providing a succinct guide to the protocols currently used in advanced sensor networks, this book focuses on four main areas: routing protocols; data gathering and processing; security and reliability; and energy management. The book opens with a survey of the challenges and opportunities facing the field. Then, expert contributors authoritatively discuss routing technologies, next-generation enabling technologies, comparative study of energy-efficient protocols for wireless sensor networks, techniques to reduce computation and communication energy consumption, energy-aware routing, localized algorithms for sensor networks, and much more.Sensor Network Protocols details the techniques and technologies that are at the heart of modern sensor networks. It is an ideal reference for anyone interested in designing, planning, or building emerging sensor and communications networks.
Distinct and direct synergistic effects of IL-1 and IL-6 on proliferation and differentiation of primitive murine hematopoietic progenitor cells in vitro. (1994)

While interleukin-1 (IL-1) and IL-6 have been demonstrated to synergize with colony-stimulating factors (CSFs) and stem cell factor (SCF) to stimulate myeloid colony formation of primitive hematopoietic progenitor cells, it has not yet been established whether these effects are directly mediated. In the present study, direct effects of IL-1 and IL-6 were examined on primitive Lin-Sca-1+ murine bone-marrow progenitor cells that were cultured and plated individually. IL-1 and IL-6 showed not only overlapping, but also distinct, patterns of direct synergy. While IL-1 or IL-6 had no proliferative effects as single growth factors, IL-1, in combination with granulocyte-macrophage CSF (GM-CSF), IL-3, CSF-1, and SCF, but not granulocyte-CSF (G-CSF), enhanced the cloning frequency of Lin-Sca-1+ progenitors three- to five-fold, whereas IL-6 increased the cloning frequency in response to all four CSFs and SCF two- to seven-fold. In all cases, the size of the colonies observed were increased as well. Furthermore, the combined action of IL-1 and IL-6 resulted in additive or synergistic enhancement of CSF- and SCF-stimulated colony formation of Lin-Sca-1+ high proliferative potential colony-forming cells (HPP-CFCs). Finally, IL-6, but not IL-1, enhanced the number of immature blast cells observed in CSF- and SCF-stimulated cultures.
Real-time brightfield, darkfield, and phase contrast imaging in a light-emitting diode array microscope (2014)

We demonstrate a single-camera imaging system that can simultaneously acquire brightfield, darkfield, and phase contrast images in real time. Our method uses computational illumination via a programmable light-emitting diode (LED) array at the source plane, providing flexible patterning of illumination angles. Brightfield, darkfield, and differential phase contrast images are obtained by changing the LED patterns, without any moving parts. Previous work with LED array illumination was only valid for static samples because the hardware speed was not fast enough to meet real-time acquisition and processing requirements. Here, we time multiplex patterns for each of the three contrast modes in order to image dynamic biological processes in all three contrast modes simultaneously. We demonstrate multicontrast operation at the maximum frame rate of our camera (50 Hz with 2160 × 2560 pixels).
Nutrition Assessment and Support of Organ Transplant Recipients (2001)

Timely nutrition assessment and intervention in organ transplant recipients may improve outcomes surrounding transplantation. A pretransplant nutrition assessment should include a variety of parameters including physical assessment, history, anthropometric measurements, and laboratory tests. Malnutrition compromises posttransplant survival; prolonged waiting times worsen outcomes when patients are already malnourished. Severe obesity may decrease graft function and survival in kidney transplant recipients. In the pretransplant phase, nutritional goals include optimization of nutritional status and treatment of nutrition-related symptoms induced by organ failure. Enteral tube feeding is indicated for patients with functional gastrointestinal tracts who are not eating adequately. Parenteral nutrition is rarely needed pretransplant except in cases of intestinal failure. When determining pretransplant nutrient requirements, nutritional status, weight, age, gender, metabolic state, stage and type of organ failure, malabsorption, induced losses, goals, and comorbid conditions must be considered. During the acute posttransplant phase, adequate nutrition is required to help prevent infection, promote wound healing, support metabolic demands, replenish lost stores, and perhaps mediate the immune response. Nutrient recommendations reflect posttransplant metabolic changes. The appropriateness of posttransplant nutrition support depends on the prevalence of malnutrition among patients with a specific type of organ failure and the benefits when nutrition support is given. Organ transplantation complications including rejection, infection, wound healing, renal insufficiency, hyperglycemia, and surgical complications require specific nutritional requirements and therapies. Many potential applications of nutrition in the pre- and posttransplant phases exist and require further study.
Astrocyte spreading in response to thrombin and lysophosphatidic acid is dependent on the Rho GTPase (1997)

Astrocytes are typically star shaped cells playing diverse roles in the function of the nervous system. In astrocyte cultures established from the cerebral hemispheres of newborn rats, the cells have generally a polygonal fibroblast-like morphology, but acquire a stellate shape upon serum removal. When the serine protease thrombin or the bioactive lipid lysophosphatidic acid is added, the stellate cells revert to the flat morphology. Here we show that the effect of these agents is mediated via activation of the small GTP-binding protein Rho. Neither thrombin nor lysophosphatidic acid induced spreading of astrocytes microinjected with C3 transferase, an exoenzyme which ADP-ribosylates and thereby inactivates Rho. In contrast, the response of cells injected with a dominant negative form of Rac was unaffected. In addition, the injection of active Rho into stellate astrocytes mimicked the effect of thrombin and lysophosphatidic acid and an injection of C3 into flat cells grown in serum induced stellation. The conversion from a stellate to a spread morphology upon activation of Rho resulted in the formation of stress fibers and focal adhesions which most probably are key events in establishing and stabilizing the altered cytoarchitecture. These results suggest that Rho plays a crucial role in determining the shape of astrocytes and thereby may modulate their interaction with neurons in vivo.
Morphological evidence for an invasion-independent metastasis pathway exists in multiple human cancers (2004)

These results suggest that an invasion-independent metastatic pathway is possible in a wide variety of human cancers. Further investigation of this phenomenon may present new therapeutic strategies for the amelioration of cancer metastasis.
The Affinity of Basic Dyes for Leacril 16 Acrylic Fibre (1983)

The dyeing affinity of some thiazole and benzothiazole basic azo dyes for Leacril 16 acrylic fibre was measured using Langmuir isotherms. Results show a close dependence of dye structure on affinity.
Percutaneous left ventricular angiography (1981)

Recurrence of persistence of heart failure in patients after mitral and aortic valve replacement is a difficult diagnostic problem. Clinical evaluation and noninvasive tests cannot always distinguish poor left ventricular function from paraprosthetic leak or persistent pulmonary vascular disease. Full evaluation by cardiac catheterisation may then be necessary but is difficult because of the inaccessibility of the left ventricle. Under these circumstances, left ventriculography by direct transapical puncture is an alternative to crossing the prosthesis by a catheter and may be the only way of obtaining diagnostic information. We describe our experience of left ventriculography by percutaneous transapical passage of a flexible angiographic catheter (as distinct from a rigid angiographic needle) in 15 such patients (on 16 occasions). Non-fatal complications occurred in three patients. The information thus obtained allowed a clinical decision to be made and distinguished the inoperable from the operable group. Surgery was subsequently performed in seven patients with beneficial results.