gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Complement inhibition as potential new therapy for antibody-mediated rejection (2015)

Antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR) is a leading cause of kidney allograft failure. While the exact mechanisms contributing to donor-specific antibody (DSA)-triggered tissue injury are still incompletely understood, complement activation via the classical pathway is believed to be one of the key players. There is now growing interest in complement blockade as an antirejection treatment. One attractive strategy may be inhibition of terminal complex formation using anti-C5 antibody eculizumab. Anecdotal reports, case series, and a unique cohort of flow crossmatch-positive live donor kidney transplant recipients subjected to eculizumab-based desensitization have demonstrated successful prevention and reversal of acute clinical ABMR. Nevertheless, maybe due to complement activation steps proximal of C5 or even complement-independent mechanisms, subclinical rejection processes that might culminate in chronic injury were found to escape inhibition. Larger studies designed to clarify the actual clinical value of terminal complement inhibition as an antirejection treatment are currently underway. In addition, alternative concepts, such as therapies that target key component C1, are currently under development, and we will see in the near future whether new strategies in the pipeline will have the potential to beneficially impact clinical practice.
One‐Dimensional Self‐Assembly of Metallic Nanostructures on Single‐Walled Carbon‐Nanotube Bundles (2006)

Bundled up: A novel self-assembly method for the formation of 1D metallic nanostructures using single-walled carbon-nanotube bundles as the growth template is presented. Deposition of metals such as Au, Ag, and Cu results in 1D nanocluster arrays, the number of which depends on the metal coverage and the diameter of the supporting bundles. Room-temperature deposition of Ti, Zr, and Mo leads to fractal islands nucleating on the bundle surface at low coverage, and a 2D wetting layer at higher coverages. At higher temperatures, Ti forms continuous ultrafine nanowires (see image) templated by grooves on the bundle surface.
Effect of aloe extract C on activity of colony-stimulating factor in mice (2003)

Objective: Our aim was to study the inducing effect of Aloe Extract C (AE-C) on the colony-stimulating factor (CSF) in mice. Methods: The AE-C was injected into abdominal cavity of mice for five days, then the marrow cells were obtained and cultured in Methyl cellulose M20 which contained CSF. We observed the time of colony-stimulating activity(CSA) and relation between CSA and AE-C dosage. Results: The AE-C could promote colony-forming of marrow cells in mice, and the effect was significantly different with control ( P 0.01 ). The CSA might last for 6 days, after 8 days CSA gradually declined, and CSA level grew up when AE-C dosage was in the concentration between 25μg to 100μg. Conclusion: The AE-C has effects on inducing CSA in BALB/C mice.
Augmentation of HIV-1 Subtype C Vaccine Constructs Induced Immune Response in Mice by CpG Motif 1826-ODN (2005)

The greatest biomedical challenge of this century is to develop a preventive vaccine against Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV-1). For an HIV vaccine to be effective, it appears logical to develop new strategies that enhance the level of the immune response as well as steer it towards the desirable cellular type. In view of this, there is a need for rational inclusion of biological adjuvants into the HIV-1 vaccination strategies that could potentiate the immune responses both qualitatively and quantitatively. The adjuvant may include the immunostimulatory oligonucleotides containing CpG motifs, whose immunomodulatory characters are well established and represent the basis for an effective vaccine adjuvant. In our study, we investigated the use of an immunostimulatory oligonucleotide (or CpG motif), 1826-ODN to augment the immune response elicited by plasmid DNA vaccine constructs containing Indian subtype C HIV-1 envelope gp120 and gag-protease genes in Balb/c mouse model system. A dose of 2-microg CpG motifs/mouse was found to be optimum when co-administered with the DNA vaccine constructs with the peak level of humoral and cell mediated immune responses at 6 weeks post immunization. Murine IFN-gamma ELISpot assay demonstrated that the use of 1826-ODN led to a broad based and long term recognition of the subtype C envelope and gag peptides. The use of CpG motifs has been effective in augmenting the immune responses generated by the DNA constructs. Taken together, these results are an important advancement towards the design of future preclinical and clinical trials of these vaccine constructs.
Cutaneous Melanin Density of Caucasians Measured by Spectrophotometry and Risk of Malignant Melanoma, Basal Cell Carcinoma, and Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Skin (2002)

Recent advances have enabled quite accurate estimation by spectrophotometry of the density of cutaneous melanin. The relation between skin cancers and this objective measure of skin phenotype is examined here. For this purpose, a population-based case-control study of subjects aged 20-59 years of northern European ancestry was conducted in Tasmania, Australia. Cases (n = 244) of cutaneous malignant melanoma during 1998-1999, and a sample of cases of basal cell carcinoma (n = 220) and squamous cell carcinoma (n = 195) of the skin were identified from cancer registrations. Controls (n = 483) were selected from a comprehensive population listing. Melanin at the upper inner arm was estimated from skin reflectance of light of 400 and 420 nm wavelengths. For melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma, respectively, the odds ratios comparing the least with the highest of four melanin categories were 6.2 (95% confidence interval (CI): 2.3, 16.6), 6.3 (95% CI: 2.6, 15.1), and 4.2 (95% CI: 1.7, 10.8) for men and 1.9 (95% CI: 1.0, 3.7), 1.4 (95% CI: 0.7, 3.0), and 0.7 (95% CI: 0.3, 1.7) for women. The gender differences were not due to disparities in site of occurrence or (for melanoma) in thickness of the lesion. The authors conclude that, particularly for men, cutaneous melanin density at the upper inner arm is a strong predictor of risk of skin cancer.
Tele-Immersive Medical Educational Environment (2002)

By combining teleconferencing, tele-presence, and Virtual Reality, the Tele-Immersive environment enables master surgeons to teach residents in remote locations. The design and implementation of a Tele-Immersive medical educational environment, Teledu, is presented in this paper. Teledu defines a set of Tele-Immersive user interfaces for medical education. In addition, an Application Programming Interface (API) is provided so that developers can easily develop different applications with different requirements in this environment. With the help of this API, programmers only need to design a plug-in to load their application specific data set. The plug-in is an object-oriented data set loader. Methods for rendering, handling, and interacting with the data set for each application can be programmed in the plug-in. The environment has a teacher mode and a student mode. The teacher and the students can interact with the same medical models, point, gesture, converse, and see each other.
Barrier to Resistance of Dolutegravir in Two-Drug Combinations (2019)

A major concern when using two-drug anti-HIV regimens is the risk of viral resistance. However, no techniques to evaluate the barrier to resistance of two-drug combinations <i>in vitro</i> have been reported. We evaluated the emergence of drug-resistant mutants in a passage study with constant concentrations of two drugs simultaneously. The barrier to resistance of dolutegravir-containing two-drug combinations was higher than the other combinations evaluated in this study.
Investigations on Zn-Al-Ge alloys as high temperature die attach material (2010)

Zn-Al based alloys have been suggested as high temperature lead-free solder for Si die attach by different researchers. But, so far, these alloys have not been tested in the industrial environment. In this study, Zn-Al-Ge alloy solder wire was used for Si die attachment on Cu substrate in an automatic die attach machine. The back side of the die was metalized with Ti/Ni/Ag layers. Die attachment was performed in a forming gas environment at temperatures ranging from 370°C to 390°C. Interfacial structure at the Si die and Cu substrate interfaces, and the bulk solder microstructure were investigated using an optical microscope, scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive x-ray (EDX) and electron probe microanalyzer (EPMA). Wetting characteristics and die shear strength were also studied. Cross sectional microstructural investigation revealed that as many as three intermetallic (IMCs) layers form at the solder/copper interface. A CuZn intermetallic layer forms close to copper, a scallop shaped CuZn <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">4</sub> forms at the solder side, while Cu <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">5</sub> Zn <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">8</sub> forms at the middle. At the Si die-solder interface, with Ti/Ni/Ag metallization, no IMC layer was detected. Microstructural evidence suggests that Ni layer did not react with the Zn-Al-Ge solder. The microstructure of the bulk solder consists of mainly two phases: one with a lighter contrast and the other one being darker under the SEM. The phase with lighter contrast is a zinc rich phase containing an average of about 70.9% Zn. The darker one is found to be an aluminum rich phase containing an average of about 54.9% Al. In addition, some particles with brighter appearance are observed at different places in the bulk solder. These particles are rich in zinc and their composition closely resembles that of scallop type CuZn <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">4</sub> IMC which forms at the solder side of the copper-solder interface. It is suggested that these particles are CuZn <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">4</sub> IMC which have been spalled from the interface during soldering. Wetting of Zn-Al-Ge solder on Cu substrate was found to be lower at 370°C as compared with that at 390°C. Voids were found in the solder which were more in number at higher die attach temperatures. Die shear strength was found to be higher at the die attached temperature of 390°C (22.3 MPa) as compared with those obtained at 370-380°C (15.5-17.4 MPa). Die shear strength of standard Pb-Sn solder was also measured for comparison and was found to be 28.2 MPa. The microstructure and properties of the solder joint are discussed.
Polarization sensitive terahertz imaging: detection of birefringence and optical axis (2012)

We present a practicable way to take advantage of the spectral information contained in a broadband terahertz pulse for the determination of birefringence and orientation of the optical axis in a glass fiber reinforced polymer with a single measurement. Our setup employs circularly polarized terahertz waves and a polarization-sensitive detector to measure both components of the electromagnetic field simultaneously. The anisotropic optical parameters are obtained from an analysis of the phase and frequency resolved components of the terahertz field. This method shows a high tolerance against the skew of the detection axes and is also independent of a reference measurement.
Monte Carlo smoothing with application to audio signal enhancement (2002)

We describe methods for applying Monte Carlo filtering and smoothing for estimation of unobserved states in a nonlinear state-space model. By exploiting the statistical structure of the model, we develop a Rao-Blackwellized particle smoother. Due to the lengthy nature of real signals, we suggest processing the data in blocks, and a block-based smoother algorithm is developed for this purpose. All the algorithms suggested are tested with real speech and audio data, and the results are shown and compared with those generated using the generic particle smoother and the extended Kalman filter (EKF). It is found that the proposed Rao-Blackwellized particle smoother improves on the standard particle smoother and the extended Kalman smoother. In addition, the proposed block-based smoother algorithm enhances the efficiency of the proposed Rao-Blackwellized smoother by significantly reducing the storage capacity required for the particle information.
Magnetic and structural characterization and ferromagnetic resonance study of thin film HITPERM soft magnetic materials for data storage applications (2003)

HITPERM/SiO 2 single and multilayer thin films have been produced using a target composition of (Fe70Co30)88Zr7B4Cu1. The as-deposited HITPERM film contains small bcc (or B2) nanocrystals of volume fraction less than 10% surrounded by an amorphous matrix. The lattice parameter of the nanocrystal is about 5% larger than an equilibrium FeCo phase. The saturation induction determined from FMR measurements (1.53±0.08 T) is consistent with VSM and SQUID measurements (1.45–1.5 T) and also with as-spun amorphous ribbons (1.55–1.62 T). The Landé g-factors (2.15±0.05) are typical of transition metals, particularly, of Fe. The Landau–Lifshitz–Gilbert damping parameters of the single and multilayered films are small (α = 0.0055±0.0004) with each layer acting almost independently. Neither thickness variation of each layer nor the number of stacking significantly affects the damping process in a range of film thicknesses of 50–150 nm, while the coercivities are strongly dependent on those parameters. This supports a notion that the damping parameter is an intrinsic property.
Plasmonic light trapping in thin-film Si solar cells (2012)

Plasmonic nanostructures have been recently investigated as a possible way to improve absorption of light in solar cells. The strong interaction of small metal nanostructures with light allows control over the propagation of light at the nanoscale and thus the design of ultrathin solar cells in which light is trapped in the active layer and efficiently absorbed. In this paper we\\nreview some of our recent work in the field of plasmonics for improved solar cells. We have investigated two possible ways of integrating metal nanoparticles in a solar cell. First, a layer of Ag nanoparticles that improves the standard antireflection coating used for crystalline and amorphous silicon solar cells has been designed and fabricated. Second, regular and random\\narrays of metal nanostructures have been designed to couple light in waveguide modes of thin semiconductor layers. Using a large-scale, relative inexpensive nano-imprint technique, we have designed a back-contact light trapping surface for a-Si:H solar cells which show enhanced efficiency over standard randomly textured cells.
Coexistence of a Novel Medium Access Control Protocol for Wireless Ad Hoc Networks and the IEEE 802.11 (2010)

We describe in this paper a methodology to facilitate the coexistence of the Distributed Queuing Medium Access Control (MAC) protocol for Ad hoc Networks (DQMAN) with the IEEE 802.11 Standard MAC protocol. By using dual terminals which can operate with the two MAC protocols, it is possible to run a hybrid network with legacy and novel terminals. In addition, it is possible to enable the intercommunication between all the terminals of the network. Computer simulations have been carried out to assess the performance and the feasibility of such dual operation. The main conclusion of the study is that the use of dual terminals allows the integration of DQMAN within legacy networks without degrading the performance of IEEE 802.11 terminals. In addition, the mechanism presented in this paper can be used to enable the coexistence of any cluster-based distributed MAC protocol within IEEE 802.11 networks.
Feasibility of Targeting Catheter Ablation to the Markedly Low-Voltage Area Surrounding Infarct Scars in Patients With Post-Infarction Ventricular Tachycardia (2008)

Catheter ablation targeting LVAs with an amplitude <or=0.6 mV appears to be useful for efficient and effective treatment of post-infarction VT.
Research Progress in Stimuli Responsive Properties of Intelligent Nano-hydrogels (2012)

Intelligent nano-hydrogels have so many potential application prospects in drug delivery field such as controlled release,medical diagnosis,biosensor,microreactor,catalyst carrier,etc.By combining the research results of the authors′ group,the research progresses in temperature stimulus responsive,pH stimulus responsive,light stimulus responsive,magnetic field stimulus responsive,molecule recognition stimulus responsive and multi-stimuli responsive nano-hydrogels are introduced.Opinions on the existing drawbacks and development tendency of these intelligent nano-hydrogels are proposed.
Determination of the Diffusion Coefficient of Methanesulfonic Acid Solutions with Calcite Using the Rotating Disk Apparatus (2015)

Abstract Methanesulfonic acid (MSA) has been proven as a scale remover and, more recently, as a stand-alone stimulation fluid in carbonate acidizing. MSA is a strong alkyl sulfonic acid having a pK value of -1.9, and it dissolves carbonate and oxides with its calcium water-soluble salts. Although the acid has many promising results for acidizing, little is known in relation to its detailed kinetics. This study aims to understand the reaction profile of MSA to provide relevant information to scientists and engineers to design acidizing jobs with this improved fluid. The dissolution of calcite in MSA was studied with the aid of a rotating disk system at 1000 psig in the temperature range 73-250°F. As a result of this study dissolution rate parameters for this system are reported for the first time. Details of the approach for this study include using marble disks of 1.5-in. diameter and 0.7-in. thickness. The dissolution rate was found by measuring the calcium concentration in the effluent as a function of time using inductively coupled plasma (ICP). The effects of MSA concentrations (5 to 20 wt%), disk rotational speeds (100 to 1500 rpm), and temperatures on the rate of dissolution were also investigated. Experimental results showed that, within the range of temperatures tested, the dissolution rate of MSA with calcite was mass-transfer limited even at high disk rotation speeds. The diffusion coefficient of a 5 wt% MSA fluid at 150°F was found to be 5.29 × 10−5 cm2/s and at 250°F diffusion coefficient was found to be 3.03 × 10−4 cm2/s. The acid diffusivity increased with increasing system temperature. Determination of the dissolution rate of MSA will increase the understanding of its performance as a stand-alone stimulation fluid. Its high acidity, high solubility of its calcium salts, and good thermal stability, along with its low corrosivity and readily biodegradable composition makes this acid an attractive alternative to HC1 in designing high temperature acidizing applications.
CONVERGENCE OF SIMULATION-BASED POLICY ITERATION (2003)

Simulation-based policy iteration (SBPI) is a modification of the policy iteration algorithm for computing optimal policies for Markov decision processes. At each iteration, rather than solving the average evaluation equations, SBPI employs simulation to estimate a solution to these equations. For recurrent average-reward Markov decision processes with finite state and action spaces, we provide easily verifiable conditions that ensure that simulation-based policy iteration almost-surely eventually never leaves the set of optimal decision rules. We analyze three simulation estimators for solutions to the average evaluation equations. Using our general results, we derive simple conditions on the simulation run lengths that guarantee the almost-sure convergence of the algorithm.
Isocapnic Hyperpnea Accelerates Carbon Monoxide Elimination (1999)

A major impediment to the use of hyperpnea in the treatment of CO poisoning is the development of hypocapnia or discomfort of CO2 inhalation. We examined the effect of nonrebreathing isocapnic hyperpnea on the rate of decrease of carboxyhemoglobin levels (COHb) in five pentobarbital-anesthetized ventilated dogs first exposed to CO and then ventilated with room air at normocapnia (control). They were then ventilated with 100% O2 at control ventilation, and at six times control ventilation without hypocapnia ("isocapnic hyperpnea") for at least 42 min at each ventilator setting. We measured blood gases and COHb. At control ventilation, the half-time for elimination of COHb (t1/2) was 212 +/- 17 min (mean +/- SD) on room air and 42 +/- 3 min on 100% O2. The t1/2 decreased to 18 +/- 2 min (p < 0.0005) during isocapnic hyperpnea. In two similarly prepared dogs treated with hyperbaric O2, the t1/2 were 20 and 28 min. We conclude that isocapnic hyperpnea more than doubles the rate of COHb elimination induced by normal ventilation with 100% O2. Isocapnic hyperpnea could improve the efficacy of the standard treatment of CO poisoning, 100% O2 at atmospheric or increased pressures.
Chromosomal Translocations, Oncogenes, and B-Cell Tumors (1985)

If we want to understand cancer, we have to understand the genetics of the cancer cell. The study of malignancies in which genetic rearrangements are specific and consistent has yielded surprising and rewarding results. It has been hypothesized that oncogenes are involved in the regulation of normal cell proliferation, but their physiology remains to be determined.
Interference of daratumumab in monitoring multiple myeloma patients using serum immunofixation electrophoresis can be abrogated using the daratumumab IFE reflex assay (DIRA) (2016)

Daratumumab is a fully human anti-CD38 IgG1-κ monoclonal antibody (mAb) currently being evaluated in several Phase 2 and 3 clinical studies for the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM). In this clinical case study we demonstrate that daratumumab can be detected as an individual monoclonal band in serum immunofixation electrophoresis (IFE). M-protein follow-up by IFE is part of the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) criteria to assess treatment response. Therefore, it is crucial that the daratumumab band is not confused with the endogenous M-protein of the patient during IFE interpretation. Moreover, a significant number of IgG-κ M-proteins co-migrate with daratumumab. Co-migration introduces a bias in the M-protein quantification since pharmacokinetic studies show that daratumumab peak plasma concentrations reach up to 1 g/L. More importantly, co-migration can mask clearance of the M-protein by IFE which is necessary for classification of complete response by IMWG criteria (negative serum IFE). For optimal M-protein monitoring the laboratory specialist needs to be informed when patients receive daratumumab, and it is essential that the laboratory specialist is aware that a slow migrating band in the γ-region in those patients may be derived from the daratumumab. A daratumumab specific IFE reflex assay (DIRA) has been developed and can be utilized to abrogate interference. The here described mAb interference is not limited to daratumumab, and as therapeutic antibodies gain approval and enter into common clinical practice, laboratory specialists will need additional processes to characterize IFE interference and distinguish endogenous M-protein from therapeutic antibodies.