gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Abstract B26: Translation of cancer vaccine strategies from mice to clinical trials (2015)

Abstract We have developed several cancer vaccine strategies and translated them from mice to humans. We used “epitope enhancement” to modify an epitope of the TARP prostate cancer antigen to increase affinity for HLA-A2 and immunogenicity in HLA-A2-transgenic mice. This and another high affinity TARP epitope elicited human T cells killing human tumor cells. We translated these into a vaccine trial in stage D0 prostate cancer, in which patients after primary disease treatment have rising PSA. Patients received TARP peptides either in montanide or pulsed onto autologous DCs. No difference was seen between arms. 72% of vaccinees at 24 wks and 74% at 48 wks had a decreased PSA velocity (p= 0.0004), a validated measure of tumor growth. 77% of vaccinees made a specific IFNγ ELISpot response, but there was no correlation with clinical effect, suggesting that the quality of the T cells is critical. Accordingly, a phase II randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial is being opened. We also developed an adenovirus vaccine expressing the extracellular & transmembrane domains of HER2, which cured almost all mice with large (up to 2 cm) established tumors and lung metastases. The protection in mice is purely antibody-dependent. We translated this to a clinical trial with autologous DCs transduced with an adenovirus expressing human HER2 domains. The first part is a dose-escalation in patients with any type of cancer expressing 1+ to 3+ HER2 by IHC who are naïve to HER2-targeted therapies. In 1 of 2 patients so far at the 2nd dose level for which we have data, we have an indication of a partial response. Thus, translation of cancer vaccine strategies from mice to humans is beginning to show promising results. Citation Format: Jay A. Berzofsky, Masaki Terabe, Lauren V. Wood. Translation of cancer vaccine strategies from mice to clinical trials. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy: A New Chapter; December 1-4, 2014; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2015;3(10 Suppl):Abstract nr B26.
On the design of a UAS flight plan monitoring and edition system (2010)

This paper addresses various aspects of the design and development of the pilot interface for the exploitation of highly advanced flight plan capabilities specifically designed for Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). This flight plan capabilities are built on top a flexible and reusable hardware/software architecture designed to facilitate the development of UAS-based applications. This flexibility is organized into an user-parameterizable UAS Service Abstraction Layer (USAL). The USAL defines a collection of standard services are their interrelations as a basic starting point for further development by UAS users. Previous research presented the advanced flying capabilities of a UAS as an extension of the Flight Control System (FCS) functionalities. Assuming a UAS with a FCS that ensures safe and stable maneuvers, we complement it with a highly capable flight plan management system. USAL flight plan is characterized by offering semantically much richer constructs than those present in most current UAS autopilots, which rely on simple lists of waypoints. This list of waypoints approach has several important limitations: it is difficult to specify complex trajectories and it does not support constructs such as conditional forks or iterations, small changes may imply having to deal with a considerable amount of waypoints and it provides no mechanism for adapting to mission time circumstances. To address these issues a new flight plan specification mechanism is proposed, that incorporates a leg concept extended to accommodate higher level constructs for specifying iterations and forks. Additional leg types, referred to as parametric leg, are also introduced. The trajectory defined by a parametric leg is automatically generated as a function of mission variables, enabling dynamic behavior and providing a very valuable means for adapting the flight to the mission evolution. Another level of adaption is provided by the conditions governing the decision-making in intersection legs and the finalization of iterative legs. In this work we will focus on the development of the pilot interface for the exploitation of the introduced flight plan capabilities. The interface design requirements address an increase level of automated operation and support to react to unexpected requirements due to mission changes. Therefore, this interaction includes the available mechanisms to update the flight-plan according to UAS mission requirements, skip parts of it, react to operational contingencies, etc.
Removal of Regulatory T Cell Activity Reverses Hyporesponsiveness and Leads to Filarial Parasite Clearance In Vivo (2005)

Human filarial parasites cause chronic infection associated with long-term down-regulation of the host's immune response. We show here that CD4+ T cell regulation is the main determinant of parasite survival. In a laboratory model of infection, using Litomosoides sigmodontis in BALB/c mice, parasites establish for >60 days in the thoracic cavity. During infection, CD4+ T cells at this site express increasing levels of CD25, CTLA-4, and glucocorticoid-induced TNF receptor family-related gene (GITR), and by day 60, up to 70% are CTLA-4(+)GITR(high), with a lesser fraction coexpressing CD25. Upon Ag stimulation, CD4(+)CTLA-4(+)GITR(high) cells are hyporesponsive for proliferation and cytokine production. To test the hypothesis that regulatory T cell activity maintains hyporesponsiveness and prolongs infection, we treated mice with Abs to CD25 and GITR. Combined Ab treatment was able to overcome an established infection, resulting in a 73% reduction in parasite numbers (p < 0.01). Parasite killing was accompanied by increased Ag-specific immune responses and markedly reduced levels of CTLA-4 expression. The action of the CD25(+)GITR+ cells was IL-10 independent as in vivo neutralization of IL-10R did not restore the ability of the immune system to kill parasites. These data suggest that regulatory T cells act, in an IL-10-independent manner, to suppress host immunity to filariasis.
Ex vivo Skin Permeation of Betulin from Water-in-Oil Foams (2016)

Triterpenes of the outer bark of birch are known to improve wound healing. An oleogel with these triterpenes as active principle is approved by the European Medicines Agency. As foams can be applied without touching the skin, they might be an advantageous application form. A comparable wound-healing effect can be expected when the permeation flux of the triterpenes from different types of formulations, namely oleogels, water-in-oil emulsions and water-in-oil foams, is similar. The tested formulations were based on three lipids (medium-chain trigylcerides, sunflower oil and paraffin) which differ in their polarity and solvent power for the triterpenes. Infinite dose permeation experiments were performed using porcine skin which was injured by either tape stripping or skin grafting. The results showed that steady-state permeation flux and lag time depend clearly on the depth of the skin lesion. Moreover, it was substantially affected by the lipid used as basis for the different formulations. In contrast, the different formulation types showed a comparable permeation behaviour leading to the conclusion that all formulation types can be used alike for the treatment of wounds, and the results that have already been obtained with oleogels can be directly translated to the foam with its superior use properties.
Implementing the Deep Q-Network (2017)

The Deep Q-Network proposed by Mnih et al. [2015] has become a benchmark and building point for much deep reinforcement learning research. However, replicating results for complex systems is often challenging since original scientific publications are not always able to describe in detail every important parameter setting and software engineering solution. In this paper, we present results from our work reproducing the results of the DQN paper. We highlight key areas in the implementation that were not covered in great detail in the original paper to make it easier for researchers to replicate these results, including termination conditions and gradient descent algorithms. Finally, we discuss methods for improving the computational performance and provide our own implementation that is designed to work with a range of domains, and not just the original Arcade Learning Environment [Bellemare et al., 2013].
Anisotropic diffusion as a preprocessing step for efficient image compression (2002)

Anisotropic diffusion is an image enhancement method. It is a nonlinear process which removes noise and irrelevant details while preserving the edges, i.e. it "extracts" the essential visual information. The paper proposes a useful application of anisotropic diffusion in image data compression. We argue that for high compression an anisotropic diffusion preprocessing results in better quality of the decoded image.
Graph Theoretical Analysis and Design of Multistage Interconnection Networks (1983)

This paper introduces two graph theoretic models that provide a uniform procedure for analyzing 2n-input/2n-output Multistage Interconnection Networks (MIN's), implemented with 2-input/2-output Switching Elements (SE's) and satisfying a characteristics called the "buddy property." These models show that all such n-stage MIN's are topologically equivalent and hence prove that one MIN can be implemented from integrated circuits designed for another MIN. The proposed techniques also allow identical modeling and comparison of permutation capabilities of n-stage MIN's and other link-controlled networks like augmented data manipulator and SW Banyan Network and hence, allows comparison of their permutation. In the case of any conflict in the MIN, an upper bound for the required number of passes has been obtained.
Locating Railroad Track Bed Subsurface Defects Utilizing Nondestructive Remote Sensing Technologies (1994)

The railroad is a vital transportation link with tracks traversing thousands of miles throughout the United States.<br>When this link fails, the resultant damage costs millions of dollars. Track failure, attributed to moisture trails and<br>erosion voids in the rock ballast and subsoils that support the tracks, slowly deteriorate the railbed to a critical<br>point in which iron rail shifts occur. All railroad lines experience failures on a regular basis, but the recent Flood<br>of ‘93, that inundated thousands of square miles of land and hundreds of miles of railroad tracks in the midwestem<br>United States, brought a new impetus to quickly locate and repair these hidden subsurface defect areas.<br>This paper illustrates a new technology combination of nondestructive, remote sensing Computer Enhanced<br>Infrared llennography and Ground Penetrating Ruder that was used to detect buried moisture trails and erosion<br>voids of railroad track beds. This technology combination is described in theory and by discussion of a case study<br>based upon a successful project, conducted immediately following the flood, for Burlington Northern Railroad.
Hormone Replacement Therapy - Your Questions Answered (1991)

A study on the use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in the treatment of the menopause. Amongst the issues discussed, are the consequences of oestrogen deficiency, physiology of the climacteric, HRT preparations and the monitoring of patients on long-term treatment.
Direction of arrival estimation based on phase differences using neural fuzzy network (2000)

A new high-resolution direction of arrival (DOA) estimation technique using a neural fuzzy network based on phase difference (PD) is proposed. The conventional DOA estimation method such as MUSIC and MLE, are computationally intensive and difficult to implement in real time. To attack these problems, neural networks have become popular for DOA estimation. However, the normal neural networks such as the multilayer perceptron (MLP) and radial basis function network (RBFN) usually produce the extra problems of low convergence speed and/or large network size (i.e., the number of network parameters is large). Also, the may to decide the network structure is heuristic. To overcome these defects and take use of neural learning ability, a powerful self-constructing neural fuzzy inference network (SONFIN) is used to develop a new DOA estimation algorithm. By feeding the PDs of the received radar-array signals, the trained SONFIN can give high-resolution DOA estimation. The proposed scheme is thus called PD-SONFIN. This new algorithm avoids the need of empirically determining the network size and parameters in normal neural networks due to the powerful on-line structure and parameter learning ability of SONFIN. The PD-SONFIN can always find itself an economical network size in the fast learning process. Our simulation results show that the performance of the new algorithm is superior to the RBFN in terms of convergence accuracy, estimation accuracy, sensitivity to noise, and network size.
Increased plasma concentrations of interleukin-18 in acute coronary syndromes (2002)

Plasma IL-18 concentrations are increased in patients with acute coronary syndromes and correlate with the severity of myocardial dysfunction.
Incorporating Abbreviated EEGs in the Initial Workup of Patients Who Present to the Emergency Room With Mental Status Changes of Unknown Etiology (2007)

Patients frequently present to the emergency room (ER) with mental status changes without obvious cause. The EEG is underused in this population. The authors investigated whether an abbreviated EEG (AbEEG) can be incorporated in the early evaluation of these patients to provide useful information. A 5-minute AbEEG was performed using a preformed electrode placement system on 25 patients who presented to the ER with mental status changes of unknown cause. AbEEG findings were categorized as normal, showing diffuse abnormalities, focal abnormalities, electrographic seizures, or uninterpretable. Using retrospective chart review, the authors determined if the cause of mental status change was a diffuse encephalopathy or a nonneurologic event (DENNE), a focal brain abnormality, nonconvulsive status epilepticus (NCSE), psychogenic, or unknown, and if particular AbEEG findings were associated with specific causes of altered sensorium. The AbEEG identified NCSE in two patients who presented with new-onset seizures. The presence of diffuse slowing on the AbEEG was highly suggestive of mental status changes due to DENNE. AbEEGs can be successfully incorporated in the early evaluation of patients who present to the ER with mental status changes of unknown cause and provide useful information in this setting.
Automated identification of field-recorded songs of four British grasshoppers using bioacoustic signal recognition (2004)

Recognition of Orthoptera species by means of their song is widely used in field work but requires expertise. It is now possible to develop computer-based systems to achieve the same task with a number of advantages including continuous long term unattended operation and automatic species logging. The system described here achieves automated discrimination between different species by utilizing a novel time domain signal coding technique and an artificial neural network. The system has previously been shown to recognize 25 species of British Orthoptera with 99% accuracy for good quality sounds. This paper tests the system on field recordings of four species of grasshopper in northern England in 2002 and shows that it is capable of not only correctly recognizing the target species under a range of acoustic conditions but also of recognizing other sounds such as birds and man-made sounds. Recognition accuracies for the four species of typically 70-100% are obtained for field recordings with varying sound intensities and background signals.
A Multi-Agent System to Stream Multimedia to Handheld Devices (2006)

The concept of mobile computing and its associated content is a topic receiving growing attention. The computing paradigm has evolved since the days of the mainframe system of previous decades to the laptop and handheld devices of today. These new systems require purpose-built applications, as users have ever increasing expectations of computational capabilities while on the move. Today, it is expected that the utilities that are accessible on the desktop are available when mobile. The intention of this paper is to describe the implementation of a Web-based, multi-agent system specifically designed for users on the move, to stream multimedia content to a hand-held device.
Development of a novel instrument for microwave dielectric thermal analysis (2006)

The advantages of microwave heating in industrial processing are becoming more widely appreciated and the technique is of increasing commercial significance. However, knowledge of a material’s dielectric properties as a function of temperature is of considerable importance as they determine the efficiency with which the material converts microwave energy into heat. This article describes the development of a novel instrument for a new form of thermal analysis, microwave dielectric thermal analysis (MDTA) in which the sample is heated not conventionally but by microwaves, while its dielectric properties at microwave frequencies are determined quasisimultaneously using a network analyzer. A plot of the dielectric properties against temperature then gives the MDTA curve. The fundamental principle underlying the use of MDTA is that not only do a material’s dielectric properties (both the real and imaginary parts of the complex permittivity) alter (generally smoothly) as a function of temperature but dramatic differences can be found when chemical or physical changes occur. MDTA measures the sample’s dielectric properties as a function of temperature before, during, and after the chemical and/or physical changes occurring as it is heated in the microwave field and thus provides a unique way of studying them. Furthermore, due to the quasisimultaneous nature of the measurements, MDTA can also make a valuable contribution to the investigation of the so-called “microwave effect” anomalies that occur when certain materials are heated in a microwave field. We show that the technique can be used to study a wide range of thermal transformations, including solid-solid phase changes, melting, and chemical reactions, e.g., dehydration, via the complex permittivity-temperature profiles generated in MDTA.
THE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY IN THE ROAD CROSS SECTIONS (1983)

Failures, especially on narrow roads, start from the edge of the pavement. The failure is due to the fact that traffic loads cause a bigger deflection (loading) in the right wheel path than in the middle of the road, which leads to road damage. The load carrying capacity in the cross section of the road has not been studied very much. This study is based mainly on measurements carried out in Finland, but some information has been received from Norway, Sweden and Denmark. The width of the shoulder, the gradient of the slope and the height of the embankment cause changes in the measured load carrying capacity. It is mostly affected by the width of the shoulder, secondly by the gradient of the slope and least by the height of the embankment. (TRRL)
CD4 Help-Independent Induction of Cytotoxic CD8 Cells to Allogeneic P815 Tumor Cells Is Absolutely Dependent on Costimulation (2000)

Mice made transgenic (Tg) for a rat anti-mouse CD4 Ab (GK mice) represent a novel CD4-deficient model. They not only lack canonical CD4 cells in the periphery, but also lack the residual aberrant Th cells that are found in CD4-/- mice and MHC class II-/- mice. To analyze the role of CD4 help and costimulation for CTL induction against alloantigens, we have assessed the surface and functional phenotype of CD8 cells in vivo (e.g., clearance of allogeneic P815 cells) and in vitro. In our CD4-deficient GK mice, CTL responses to allogeneic P815 cells were induced, albeit delayed, and were sufficient to eliminate P815 cells. Induction of CTL and elimination of allogeneic P815 cells were inhibited both in the presence and absence of CD4 cells by temporary CD40 ligand blockade. This indicated that direct interaction of CD40/CD40L between APCs and CD8 cells may be an accessory signal in CTL induction (as well as the indirect pathway via APC/CD4 interaction). Furthermore, whereas in CTLA4Ig single Tg mice P815 cells were rejected promptly, in the double Tg GK/CTLA4Ig mice CTL were not induced and allogeneic P815 cells were not rejected. These findings suggest that CD40/CD40L is involved in both CD4-dependent and CD4-independent pathways, and that B7/CD28 is pivotal in the CD4-independent pathway of CTL induction against allogeneic P815 cells.
Building in Extraterrestrial Environments: T-Brick Shell (2017)

Space exploration focuses on new technologies to search the unknown. It has been used to investigate possibilities for the creation of human colonies in extraterrestrial environments. Current projects concerning space architecture reflect two perspectives that differ from highly rationalized engineering solutions in that they are highly conceptual and abstract approaches. Although implemented for extraterrestrial environments, new technologies do not offer a comprehensive approach from an architecture perspective that can be implemented for different design and programmatic purposes by the use of in situ materials on Mars. This paper aims to propose a comprehensive approach in which the form generation process is driven by environmental conditions, specifically the dune fields on Mars. A set of architectural geometry, described computationally, can respond to different spatial conditions, such as shell structures, from fully enclosed to semiopen surfaces. In this approach, in situ materials are used with robotic fabrication; more specifically, three-dimensional (3D) printing is used on Martian land. A material system, which creates a titanium-dioxide-based shielding layer, was developed against high radiation levels on the Martian surface. The interconnected structural modules were considered similar to the brick material called T-brick. The system was assessed structurally by selecting an enclosed geometry: a dome structure. Hence, the efficiency factor was calculated. The results proved that the proposed T-brick shell is an efficient solution considering the payload constraints of the system. The method can be potentially implemented on Earth and extraterrestrial environments in addition to Mars.
TRP-ML1 Regulates Lysosomal pH and Acidic Lysosomal Lipid Hydrolytic Activity (2005)

Mucolipidosis type IV (MLIV) is caused by mutations in the ion channel mucolipin 1 (TRP-ML1). MLIV is typified by accumulation of lipids and membranous materials in intracellular organelles, which was hypothesized to be caused by the altered membrane fusion and fission events. How mutations in TRP-ML1 lead to aberrant lipolysis is not known. Here we present evidence that MLIV is a metabolic disorder that is not associated with aberrant membrane fusion/fission events. Thus, measurement of lysosomal pH revealed that the lysosomes in TRP-ML1(-/-) cells obtained from the patients with MLIV are over-acidified. TRP-ML1 can function as a H(+) channel, and the increased lysosomal acidification in TRP-ML1(-/-) cells is likely caused by the loss of TRP-ML1-mediated H(+) leak. Measurement of lipase activity using several substrates revealed a marked reduction in lipid hydrolysis in TRP-ML1(-/-) cells, which was rescued by the expression of TRP-ML1. Cell fractionation indicated specific loss of acidic lipase activity in TRP-ML1(-/-) cells. Furthermore, dissipation of the acidic lysosomal pH of TRP-ML1(-/-) cells by nigericin or chloroquine reversed the lysosomal storage disease phenotype. These findings provide a new mechanism to account for the pathogenesis of MLIV.