gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
NT‐3 modulates NPY expression in primary sensory neurons following peripheral nerve injury (1998)

Peripheral nerve transection induces significant changes in neuropeptide expression and content in injured primary sensory neurons, possibly due to loss of target derived neurotrophic support. This study shows that neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) delivery to the injured nerve influences neuropeptide Y (NPY) expression within dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons. NT-3 was delivered by grafting impregnated fibronectin (500 ng/ml; NT group) in the axotomised sciatic nerve. Animals grafted with plain fibronectin mats (FN) or nerve grafts (NG) were used as controls. L4 and L5 DRG from operated and contralateral sides were harvested between 5 and 240 d. Using immunohistochemistry and computerised image analysis the percentage, diameter and optical density of neurons expressing calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), substance P (SP), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and NPY were quantified. Sciatic nerve axotomy resulted in significant reduction in expression of CGRP and SP, and significant upregulation of VIP and NPY (P < 0.05 for ipsilateral vs contralateral DRG). By d 30, exogenous NT-3 and nerve graft attenuated the upregulation of NPY (P < 0.05 for NT and NG vs FN). However, NT-3 administration did not influence the expression of CGRP, SP or VIP. The mean cell diameter of NPY immunoreactive neurons was significantly smaller in the NT-3 group (P < 0.05 for NT vs FN and NG) suggesting a differential influence of NT-3 on larger neurons. The optical densities of NPY immunoreactive neurons of equal size were the same in each group at any time point, indicating that the neurons responding to NT-3 downregulate NPY expression to levels not detectable by immunohistochemistry. These results demonstrate that targeted administration of NT-3 regulates the phenotype of a NPY-immunoreactive neuronal subpopulation in the dorsal root ganglia, a further evidence of the trophic role of neurotrophins on primary sensory neurons.
No Refuge: The Crisis of Refugee Militarization in Africa (2007)

Robert Muggah, ed. No Refuge: The Crisis of Refugee Militarization in Africa. London: Zed Books. 2006. xviii + 261 pp. Tables. Maps. Notes. Index. $29.99, Paper. No Refuge: The Crisis of Refugee Militarization in Africa is written explicitly from the perspective of international relations, emphasizing the role of states, international organizations, and donors in the militarization of refugee camps. The book is a well-coordinated collection that includes an introductory essay, four case studies written by different authors about the militarization of refugee populations (in Guinea, Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda), and a concluding chapter. The data derive from the late 1990s and early 2000s, with similar questions addressed in each case and due attention given to historical context. Four themes are explored in each essay: the manner that refugees become pawns of warfare; the extent to which refugees become active agents in militarization; refugee militarization and the humanitarian community; and the relationship between refugee militarization and small arms availability. What emerges is an image of refugee populations buffeted by the political interests of host, home, and donor states, and a simultaneous plea for humanitarian neutrality. It is clear from No Refuge that refugee militarization has increased in recent years. Small arms are more widely available, and refugee camps are routinely used (or misused) by liberation movements, host countries seeking political advantage in neighboring countries, and big power politics. These are not uniquely African problems-after all, refugee militarization was a major issue for Afghan refugees. But Africa has seen an increase in the flow of arms and an acceleration in host government attempts to militarize refugee camps. In all four cases, the interests of the refugees were shaped by issues that went well beyond the humanitarian neutrality subscribed to in international treaties. The proliferation of small arms during the wars of the late 1990s and early 2000s also meant that organized banditry became a common and unwelcome by-product of such militarization. Host and home countries predictably demonize refugee populations for contributing to political instability and banditry, as they each seek to extend self-serving regional political interests. In the end the authors' hard-hitting approach left me wondering who were the humanitarian good guys and who were the militarized bad guys. …
Pumping power prediction in low temperature district heating networks (2015)

ABSTRACT A low temperature network providing heat for domestic buildings and cold for a large data centre was modelled in the software Polysun based on simplified loads. The emphasis was set on the electric energy consumption of the decentralized circulation pumps. For this reason, the pump and hydraulic resistance model of the software Polysun was adapted in order to reproduce the characteristics of modulating high efficiency pumps. Energy consumption of the decentralized circulation pumps of less than 1% of the transferred energy was predicted from dynamic simulation with the new models. In order to challenge these predictions, the first four months of operation of a network in Zurich were monitored and analysed. Launched in December 2014, the network is equipped with an extended monitoring system, which records amongst others the network temperature evolution, the heat pump performance and the pumping energy consumption. The main heat pump providing heat to over 400 households at a mean temperature of 68°C reached an overall coefficient of performance (COP) of 3.7 in initial winter operation. This value corresponds to a remarkable overall efficiency factor (including primary and secondary circulation pumps) of 65%. Due to intense usage in winter months, but also slightly higher pressure drops than predicted, the pumping energy reached 1.6 % of the low temperature energy delivered to the heat pump and 1.1% of the cooling energy supplied to a data centre. Even though not all modelled consumers started operation during the monitoring period, the measured data was used to validate dynamic simulations and pump models. By introducing the measured loads and the effective hydraulic resistance to the simulation model, the measured pumping energy fractions could be closely reproduced with the simulation model.
(±)‐5′‐Nor ribofuranoside carbocyclic guanosine (1991)

Abstract The synthesis of the guanine derivative (±)‐2‐amino‐1,9‐dihydro‐9‐[(1′α,2′β,3′β,4′α)‐(2′,3′,4′‐trihydroxy‐1′‐cyclopentyl]‐6 H ‐purin‐6‐one ( 2 ) is described. This compound is viewed as the carbocyclic ribofuranoside guanine nucleoside analogue lacking the 5′‐methylene.
Update on intravenous tissue plasminogen activator for acute stroke: from clinical trials to clinical practice. (2001)

Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) injected intravenously within 3 hours of symptom onset has emerged as a treatment option for acute ischemic stroke. Although controversial and not universally accepted, its use in carefully selected patients is supported by evidence from randomized controlled trials and by mounting community experience. In this paper we review the literature published in the past 5 years regarding the safety, clinical trial efficacy and real-world effectiveness of intravenous tPA for stroke. First we review data from the phase III clinical trials on which approval for tPA is based. Then we summarize a growing literature of postmarketing phase IV studies and discuss the limitations and challenges that lie ahead. Our aim is to provide clinicians with an overview of this evolving therapy.
Trace elements in enzyme systems with special reference to deficiencies of copper and cobalt in some animal diseases (1970)

Certain elements, usually present in plants and animals in only trace amounts, are essential for normal growth and functioning. Absence of these trace elements, or their provision in inadequate amounts, can lead to severe economic losses in crops and farm animals. The essentiality of these elements, coupled with the minute amounts required, suggests a catalytic or enzymic role. This rôle is discussed in some detail with particular reference to copper and cobalt in sheep and cattle.
A General Framework and Communication Protocol for the Real-Time Transmission of Interactive Media (1998)

In this paper we present a general framework for the real-time transmission ofinteractive media, i.e. media involving user interaction. Examples of interactive media are shared whiteboards, Java animations and VRML worlds. By identifying and supporting the common aspects of this media class the framework allows the development of generic services for network sessions involving the transmission of interactive media. Examples are mechanisms for late join and session recording. The proposed framework is based on the Real-Time Transport Protocol (RTP) which is widely used in the Internet for the real-time transmission of audio and video. Using the experience gained through the framework for audio and video, our work consists of three important parts: the definition of a protocol profile, the instantiation of this profile for specific media, and the development of generic services. The profile captures those aspects that are common to the class of interactive media. A single medium must instantiate this profile by providing media-specific information in the form of a payload type definition. Based on the profile, generic services can be developed for all interactive media. In this paper we focus on the description of the profile for the real-time transmission of interactive media. We then present the main ideas behind a generic recording service. Finally we show how multi-user VRML and distributed interactive Java animations can instantiate the profile.
Staging of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (2007)

Our findings support the development of LCSG stage. While both staging systems allow for the clear stratification of patients into prognostic groups, the LCSGJ staging may be more appropriate for stratifying patients with early-stage HCC.
Random Block Copolymers via Segment Interchange Olefin Metathesis (2008)

Abstract Polycarbonate/polyethylene random block copolymers (RBCs) have been produced using olefin metathesis catalysis in a process termed segment interchange metathesis. An olefin metathesis catalyst tolerant of polar functionality was added to reagent polycarbonate and polyethylene polymers which contained internal unsaturated carbon–carbon bonds. Subsequent metathesis occurred, segmenting the reagent polymers, resulting in RBCs. The block copolymers self‐assembled into microphase structures which persisted into the melt state as determined by small angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS). magnified image
Intracellular pH during "chemical hypoxia" in cultured rat hepatocytes. Protection by intracellular acidosis against the onset of cell death. (1989)

The relationships between extracellular pH (pHo), intracellular pH (pHi), and loss of cell viability were evaluated in cultured rat hepatocytes after ATP depletion by metabolic inhibition with KCN and iodoacetate (chemical hypoxia). pHi was measured in single cells by ratio imaging of 2',7'-biscarboxy-ethyl-5,6-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF) fluorescence using multiparameter digitized video microscopy. During chemical hypoxia at pHo of 7.4, pHi decreased from 7.36 to 6.33 within 10 min. pHi remained at 6.1-6.5 for 30-40 min (plateau phase). Thereafter, pHi began to rise and cell death ensued within minutes, as evidenced by nuclear staining with propidium iodide and coincident leakage of BCECF from the cytoplasm. An acidic pHo produced a slightly greater drop in pHi, prolonged the plateau phase of intracellular acidosis, and delayed the onset of cell death. Inhibition of Na+/H+ exchange also prolonged the plateau phase and delayed cell death. In contrast, monensin or substitution of gluconate for Cl- in buffer containing HCO3- abolished the pH gradient across the plasma membrane and shortened cell survival. The results indicate that intracellular acidosis after ATP depletion delays the onset of cell death, whereas reduction of the degree of acidosis accelerates cell killing. We conclude that intracellular acidosis protects against hepatocellular death from ATP depletion, a phenomenon that may represent a protective adaptation against hypoxic and ischemic stress.
Inter-Iteration Scalar Replacement in the Presence of Conditional Control-Flow (2004)

A large class of multimedia programs for embedded systems manipulate data represented as dense matrices. In this paper we revisit the classical optimization of scalar replacement of array elements and pointer accesses; this optimization allocates array elements to registers, reducing memory traffic. We generalize the state-of-the-art algorithm, by Carr and Kennedy [CK94], improving it to handle simultaneously both conditional control-flow and inter-iteration data reuse. Our algorithm operates within the same assumptions of the classical one (perfect dependence information), and has the same limitations (increased register pressure). It is, however, optimal in the sense that within each code region where scalar promotion is applied, given sufficient registers, each memory location is read/written at most once.
Hydration of 2-Isoxazoline Leading to a Stable 3,5,5-Trisubstituted 3-Isoxazolidinol − N-Acylated Derivatives and Ring-Chain Tautomerism Study (2002)

A new 2-isoxazoline ring-opening pathway leading to β-(acylaminooxy) ketones 9 is described. It occurred through covalent hydration of the C−N double bond giving stable 3-isoxazolidinol 5, followed by acylation with anhydrides. The ring-chain tautomerism of 3-isoxazolidinol 5 in comparison with its N-acyl(aroyl) derivatives 9, 10 was studied by NMR and chiral liquid chromatography. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2002)
Regulation of the Tissue Factor Promoter in Endothelial Cells (1995)

Tissue factor is up-regulated on endothelial cells and monocytes in response to cytokines and endotoxin and is the main trigger of the extrinsic pathway of the coagulation cascade. We have isolated the porcine tissue factor gene and studied the regulation of the promoter, which has not been investigated previously in endothelial cells. Comparison of the promoter sequences with the respective human and murine genes reveals short stretches of homology, which encompass potential binding sites for AP-1, NF kappa B, and Sp1 transcription factors. Using DNase I footprinting, we detect binding of nuclear factors to these promoter elements. Transfection experiments demonstrate that a 300-base pair fragment containing the conserved elements can mediate induced transcription and that the NF kappa B-like element is essential. In accordance, electrophoretic mobility shift assays show a strong increase in the binding of factors to the NF kappa B-like site following induction. We further provide evidence that RelA (p65), c-Rel, and possibly novel polypeptides bind to the tissue factor NF kappa B element. In addition, we show constitutive binding of members of the Fos/Jun and Sp1 families to the AP-1 and Sp1 sites, respectively. We propose a concerted action of AP-1-, NF kappa B-, and Sp1-like factors in transcription from the tissue factor promoter in endothelial cells.
Hunter to Gatherer and Back: Immunological Synapses and Kinapses as Variations on the Theme of Amoeboid Locomotion (2008)

The immunological synapse was initially defined as a stable cell-cell junction composed of three concentric supramolecular activation clusters (SMACs) enriched in particular components: a central SMAC with clustered antigen receptors and kinases, a peripheral SMAC rich in beta2 integrin adhesion molecule LFA-1, and a distal SMAC marked by a critical tyrosine phosphatase. In the past year the SMACs have each been identified with functional modules of amoeboid motility, and the stability of the immunological synapse has been revealed as a reconfiguration of the motile apparatus from an asymmetric hunting mode, a kinapse, to a symmetric gathering mode, the synapse. The genetic control of this process involves actinomyosin regulators PKCtheta and WASp. Crtam is involved in postsynaptic polarity in early kinapses prior to cell division. It is unlikely that the immune system is unique in using symmetrization to stop migration without inactivating motile machinery.
Fair Prediction with Disparate Impact: A Study of Bias in Recidivism Prediction Instruments (2017)

Recidivism prediction instruments (RPIs) provide decision-makers with an assessment of the likelihood that a criminal defendant will reoffend at a future point in time. Although such instruments are gaining increasing popularity across the country, their use is attracting tremendous controversy. Much of the controversy concerns potential discriminatory bias in the risk assessments that are produced. This article discusses several fairness criteria that have recently been applied to assess the fairness of RPIs. We demonstrate that the criteria cannot all be simultaneously satisfied when recidivism prevalence differs across groups. We then show how disparate impact can arise when an RPI fails to satisfy the criterion of error rate balance.
Low-power smart vision system-on-a-chip design for ultrafast machine vision applications (1998)

In this paper, an ultra-fast smart vision system-on-a-chip design is proposed to provide effective solutions for real time machine vision applications by taking advantages of recent advances in integrated sensing/processing designs, electronic neural networks, advanced microprocessors and sub- micron VLSI technology. The smart vision system mimics what is inherent in biological vision systems. It is programmable to perform vision processing in all levels such as image acquisition, image fusion, image analysis, and scene interpretation. A system-on-a-chip implementation of this smart vision system is shown to be feasible by integrating the whole system into a 3-cm by 3-cm chip design in a 0.18- micrometer CMOS technology. The system achieves one tea- operation-per-second computing power that is a two order-of- magnitude increase over the state-of-the-art microcomputer and DSP chips. Its high performance is due to massively parallel computing structures, high data throughput rates, fast learning capabilities, and advanced VLSI system-on-a-chip implementation. This highly integrated smart vision system can be used for various NASA scientific missions and other military, industrial or commercial vision applications.
Ultrasonic System For Diagnosis Of Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders: Development, Verification And Clinical Trials (2007)

Functional gastrointestinal disorders affect millions of people spread all age regardless of race and sex. There are, however, rare diagnostic methods for the functional gastrointestinal disorders because functional disorders show no evidence of organic and physical causes. Our research group identified recently that the gastrointestinal tract well in the patients with the functional gastrointestinal disorders becomes more rigid than healthy people when palpating the abdominal regions overlaying the gastrointestinal tract. Aim of this study is, therefore, to develop a diagnostic system for the functional gastrointestinal disorders based on ultrasound technique, which can quantify the characteristic above related to the rigidity of the gastrointestinal tract well. Ultrasound system was designed. The system consisted of transmitter, ultrasonic transducer, receiver, TGC, and CPLD, and verified via a phantom test. For the phantom test, ten soft-tissue specimens were harvested from porcine. Five of them were then treated chemically to mimic a rigid condition of gastrointestinal tract well, which was induced by functional gastrointestinal disorders. Additionally, the specimens were tested mechanically to identify if the mimic was reasonable. The customized ultrasound system was finally verified through application to human subjects with/without functional gastrointestinal disorders (Normal and Patient Groups). It was identified from the mechanical test that the chemically treated specimens were more rigid than normal specimen. This finding was favorably compared with the result obtained from the phantom test. The phantom test also showed that ultrasound system well described the specimen geometric characteristics and detected an alteration in the specimens. The maximum amplitude of the ultrasonic reflective signal in the rigid specimens (0.2±0.1Vp-p) at the interface between the fat and muscle layers was explicitly higher than that in the normal specimens (0.1±0.0Vp-p). Clinical tests using our customized ultrasound system for human subject showed that the maximum amplitudes of the ultrasonic reflective signals near to the gastrointestinal tract well for the patient group (2.6±0.3Vp-p) were generally higher than those in normal group (0.1±0.2Vp-p). Here, maximum reflective signals was appeared at 20mm depth approximately from abdominal skin for all human subjects, corresponding to the location of the boundary layer close to gastrointestinal tract well. These results suggest that newly designed diagnostic system based on ultrasound technique may diagnose enough the functional gastrointestinal disorders.
Establishment of Underground Pipeline Management Information System in Medicine Department of Beijing University (2001)

This paper introduces the situation of the survey and establishment of management information system of underground pipeline in medicine department of Beijing University, puts forward a new management idea which pipeline survey associates with dynamic management. Through the practice of engineering, this system achieves data sharing and integration; its advantage is convenient to management and call of data and meantime to construct the basis for establishment of GIS system.
Human Monkeypox: An Emerging Zoonotic Disease (2007)

Zoonotic monkeypox virus is maintained in a large number of rodent and, to a lesser extent, nonhuman primate species in West and central Africa. Although monkeypox virus was discovered in 1958, the prototypic human cases were not witnessed until the early 1970s. Before this time, it is assumed that infections were masked by smallpox, which was then widely endemic. Nevertheless, since the 1970s, reported monkeypox virus infections of humans have escalated, as have outbreaks with reported human-to-human transmission. This increase is likely due to numerous factors, such as enhanced surveillance efforts, environmental degradation and human urbanization of areas where monkeypox virus is maintained in its animal reservoir(s) and, consequently, serve as a nidus for human infection. Furthermore, viral genetic predispositions enable monkeypox virus to infect many animal species, represented in expansive geographic ranges. Monkeypox virus was once restricted to specific regions of Africa, but its environ has expanded, in one case intercontinentally--suggesting that human monkeypox infections could continue to intensify. As a zoonotic agent, monkeypox virus is far less sensitive to typical eradication measures since it is maintained in wild-animal populations. Moreover, human vaccination is becoming a less viable option to control poxvirus infections in today's increasingly immunocompromised population, particularly with the emergence of HIV in Sub-Saharan Africa. An increased frequency of human monkeypox virus infections, especially in immunocompromised individuals, may permit monkeypox virus to evolve and maintain itself independently in human populations.