gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
GENETIC CONTROL OF AUTOIMMUNITY TO ACETYLCHOLINE RECEPTORS: ROLE OF Ia MOLECULES* (1981)

Evidence that human susceptibility to myasthenia gravis (MG) might be determined genetically is suggested by clinical surveys showing an association of MG with an increased frequency of certain histocompatibility antigens. We have studied the experimental autoimmune model of MG in mice to investigate whether or not major histocompatibility complex (MHC) gene products play a role in determining susceptibility to EAMG. When MHC congenic and recombinant strains of mice were inoculated with Torpedo acetylcholine receptor (AChR) and adjuvants, the magnitude of autoantibody responses to muscle AChR and of the defect of neuromuscular transmission (i.e., reduction in MEPP amplitude) closely paralleled in vitro lymphocyte proliferative responses to torpedo AChR. Reduction in MEPP amplitude correlated strikingly with the degree to which autologous muscle AChR was complexed with antibody. Lymphocyte responses to Torpedo AChR, antibody responses to mouse muscle AChR, and susceptibility to EAMG are controlled by gene(s) at the I-A subregion of the H-2 complex. Backcross studies confirmed that lymphocyte proliferative responses to AChR are controlled by a Mendelian dominant gene linked to H-2, probably at the I-A subregion. Mutation at the I-A subregion in the B6 strain, which resulted in structural alteration of the Ia molecule, converted high responsiveness to low responsiveness. Lymphocyte responses were eliminated by blocking Ia antigens on lymph node cell surfaces with specific anti-I-A alloantisera. Cellular immune responses to AChR are dependent on Lyt 1+23- cells and adherent cells. These data implicate a macrophage-associated Ia molecular in induction of autoimmune responses to AChR, probably in the presentation of AChR to helper (Lyt 1+23-) T-lymphocytes, which thereby help B-lymphocytes to differentiate into anti-AChR antibody forming cells.
Relevance of MUC1 mucin variable number of tandem repeats polymorphism in H pylori adhesion to gastric epithelial cells (2008)

This work shows that MUC1 mucin variability conditions H pylori binding to gastric cells. The extent of bacterial adhesion depends on the size of the MUC1 VNTR domain. The adhesion is further dependent on bacterial pathogenicity and the gastric cell line. MUC1 mucin variability may contribute to determine H pylori colonization of the gastric mucosa.
Eliminating surface currents with metallodielectric photonic crystals (2002)

We report results on a new type of metallodielectric photonic crystal, which can act as an engineerable, artificial metal. These structures completely expel electromagnetic wave just as metals do. Like metals, they also support surface currents. By engineering the geometry of the surface, we have produced a structure that also has a band gap for the surface currents which overlaps the bulk band gap. This new material should be useful as a ground plane in low profile antenna applications.
Evidence for two distinct α(1,2)-fucosyltransferase genes differentially expressed throughout the rat colon (1994)

Blood-group-ABH antigens are carbohydrate structures widely distributed in numerous tissues. These structures are fucosylated by an alpha(1,2)-fucosyltransferase. The occurrence of at least two alpha(1,2)-fucosyltransferase genes in the human genome has been strongly suggested by genetic studies, but only one of them has been cloned so far. Specific primers deduced from this human cDNA were used to amplify a fragment of rat genomic DNA (FTA). Screening of a rat colon cDNA library with this probe allowed us to isolate a clearly distinct, but related, cDNA clone (FTB). Both sequences showed considerable sequence similarity to the human alpha(1,2)-fucosyltransferase cDNA previously cloned. Furthermore, cells transfected with these DNA fragments in antisense orientation displayed a decreased alpha(1,2)-fucosyltransferase activity, indicating that they both correspond to fragments of alpha(1,2)-fucosyltransferase genes. Finally, differential expression of these genes was demonstrated in two rat colon-cancer cell lines and throughout the rat colon.
Excited state absorption measurement in bismuth-doped silicate fibers for use in 1160nm fiber laser (2008)

Bi-doped fiber lasers (BiDFLs) demonstrated so far have been limited to 1080 nm pumping band at which high power laser diodes (LDs) are not readily available. [1,2] Direct LD pumping will make the BiDFLs more compact and cost-effective. Pumping wavelengths at 915 nm and 976 nm are interesting because they well overlap with the absorption band of the Bi-doped fibers (BiDFs). Here, we investigate feasibility of the 915 nm and 976 nm pumping band in addition to 1080 nm pumping by measuring excited state absorption (ESA) in BiDFs.
Boronic Acid-Based Bipyridinium Salts as Tunable Receptors for Monosaccharides and α-Hydroxycarboxylates (2007)

Several novel diboronic acid-substituted bipyridinium salts were prepared and, using a fluorescent reporter dye, were tested for their ability to selectively bind various monosaccharides and alpha-hydroxycarboxylates in an aqueous medium. The fluorescence sensing mechanism relies on the formation of a ground-state charge-transfer complex between the dye and bipyridinium. An X-ray crystal structure of this complex is described herein. Glucose selectivity over fructose and galactose was achieved by designing the bipyridinium-based receptors to be capable of attaining a 1:1 receptor/substrate stoichiometry via cooperative diboronic acid binding.
Inhibition of lung inflammatory reactions in rats by an anti-human IL-8 antibody (1993)

IL-8 belongs to the family of chemotactic cytokines and may play an important role in the inflammatory response. In the current studies, a murine mAb (DM/C7) to human rIL-8 was found to have protective effects in inflammatory lung injury in rats. DM/C7 was nonreactive with the rat cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant peptide. In vivo, DM/C7 blocked the glycogen-induced accumulation of neutrophils in rats and was highly protective against lung and dermal vascular injury after deposition of IgG immune complexes. The latter model of injury has recently been shown to be E-selectin dependent. The protective effects of DM/C7 correlated with reduced tissue accumulation of neutrophils, as measured by myeloperoxidase content. DM/C7 reacted with an epitope expressed by TNF-alpha-stimulated rat pulmonary artery endothelial cells and with the pulmonary vascular endothelium after intrapulmonary deposition of IgG immune complexes. In the model of IgG immune complex-induced lung injury, the protective effects of DM/C7 were abolished by prior absorption of the antibody with human rIL-8. Polyclonal antibody to cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant peptide failed to protect against IgG immune complex-induced vascular injury even though this antibody blocked the in vitro chemotactic activity of cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant. In the model of rapidly developing lung injury due to systemic activation of C after infusion of cobra venom factor, DM/C7 was not protective. As well, in the neutrophil-independent model of IgA immune complex-induced lung injury, treatment with DM/C7 was not protective. These data indicate that in inflammatory lung injury that is linked to E-selectin-dependent recruitment of neutrophils in rats, antibody to human IL-8 also blocks recruitment of neutrophils and thereby affords protection against lung injury. The data suggest the presence of an IL-8-like product in this model of lung injury.
Lactic acid: recent advances in products, processes and technologies — a review (2006)

Abstract Lactic acid, the most widely occurring hydroxycarboxylic acid, is an enigmatic chemical. It was discovered a long time ago and its use in food preservation and processing and as a specialty chemical has grown over the years with current production of about 120 000 t yr −1 . Its potential as a major chemical feedstock, derived from renewable carbohydrates by sustainable technologies, to make plastics, fibers, solvents and oxygenated chemicals, had also been recognized. Recently, new technologies have emerged that can overcome major barriers in separations and purification and processing. Advances in electrodialysis (ED) and bipolar membranes and one particular process configuration termed the ‘double ED’ process, a specific combination of desalting ED followed by ‘water‐splitting’ ED with bipolar membranes, has given very promising results, showing a strong potential for an efficient and economic process for recovery and purification of lactic acid without generating a salt waste. For the production of polymers, several advances in catalysts and process improvements have occurred in the technology to produce dilactide and its polymerization to produce plastics and fibers by Natureworks LLC, which is the leader in lactic polymer technology and markets. Other advances in esterification technology with pervaporation and development of biosolvent blends also have a high potential for ‘green’ solvents in many applications. Recently, a considerable amount of pioneering effort in technology, product development and commercialization has been expended by several companies. To overcome the barriers to replace long‐established petroleum‐derived products, further real support from consumer, regulatory and government organizations is also needed. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
Structural Determinants of d-Cycloserine Efficacy at the NR1/NR2C NMDA Receptors (2010)

We have studied relative efficacies of NR1 agonists glycine and d-cycloserine (DCS), and found efficacy to be dependent on the NR2 subunit. DCS shows partial agonism at NR1/NR2B but has higher relative efficacy than glycine at NR1/NR2C receptor. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of the NR1/NR2B and NR1/NR2C agonist binding domain dimer suggest only subtle differences in the interactions of DCS with NR1 binding site residues relative to glycine. The most pronounced differences were observed in the NR1/NR2C simulation between the orientation of helices F and G of the NR1 subunit. Interestingly, Helix F was previously proposed to influence receptor gating and to adopt an orientation depending on agonist efficacy. MD simulations and site-directed mutagenesis further suggest a role for residues at the agonist binding domain dimer interface in regulating DCS efficacy. To relate the structural rearrangements to receptor gating, we recorded single-channel currents from outside-out patches containing a single active NR1/NR2C receptor. DCS increased the mean open time and open probability of NR1/NR2C receptors compared with glycine. Maximum likelihood fitting of a gating model for NR1/NR2C receptor activation to the single-channel data suggests that DCS specifically accelerates the rate constant governing a fast gating step and reduces the closing rate. These changes appear to reflect a decreased activation energy for a pregating step and increased stability of the open states. We suggest that the higher efficacy of DCS at NR1/NR2C receptors involves structural rearrangements at the dimer interface and an effect on NR1/NR2C receptor pregating conformational changes.
The soliton laser (1984)

By incorporating a length of single-mode, polarization-preserving fiber into the feedback loop of a mode-locked color-center laser (lambda~1.4-1.6 microm), we have created a device that we call the soliton laser. Pulse width (2.0 to 0.21psec obtained to date) is determined by fiber length, in accordance with N = 2 soliton behavior. Production of <50-fsec-wide pulses is indicated for compression in an additional, external fiber.
1D BAR CODE READING ON CAMERA PHONES (2007)

The availability of camera phones provides people with a mobile platform for decoding bar codes, whereas conventional scanners lack mobility. However, using a normal camera phone in such applications is challenging due to the out-of-focus problem. In this paper, we present the research effort on the bar code reading algorithms using a VGA camera phone, NOKIA 7650. EAN-13, a widely used 1D bar code standard, is taken as an example to show the efficiency of the method. A wavelet-based bar code region location and knowledge-based bar code segmentation scheme is applied to extract bar code characters from poor-quality images. All the segmented bar code characters are input to the recognition engine, and based on the recognition distance, the bar code character string with the smallest total distance is output as the final recognition result of the bar code. In order to train an efficient recognition engine, the modified Generalized Learning Vector Quantization (GLVQ) method is designed for optimizing a feature extraction matrix and the class reference vectors. 19 584 samples segmented from more than 1000 bar code images captured by NOKIA 7650 are involved in the training process. Testing on 292 bar code images taken by the same phone, the correct recognition rate of the entire bar code set reaches 85.62%. We are confident that auto focus or macro modes on camera phones will bring the presented method into real world mobile use.
Sponsored search: an overview of the concept, history, and technology (2008)

The success of sponsored search has radically affected how people interact with the information, websites, and services on the web. Sponsored search provides the necessary revenue streams to web search engines and is critical to the success of many online businesses. However, there has been limited academic examination of sponsored search, with the exception of online auctions. In this paper, we conceptualise the sponsored search process as an aspect of information searching. We provide a brief history of sponsored search and an extensive examination of the technology making sponsored search possible. We critique this technology, highlighting possible implications for the future of the sponsored search process.
The New Face of Traditional Chinese Medicine (2003)

Cross-sectional survey and Bayesian network model analysis of traditional Chinese medicine in Austria: investigating public awareness, usage determinants and perception of scientific support,
Security econometrics: The dynamics of (in)security (2009)

The security of information technology is effected by a wide variety of actors and processes which together make up a security ecosystem. We examine this ecosystem, consolidating many aspects of security that have hitherto been discussed only separately. We analyze the roles of the major actors and processes they participate in, the paths vulnerability data take through the ecosystem, and the impact of each of these on security risk. Based on a quantitative analysis of 27,000 vulnerabilities disclosed over the past decade we quantify the systematic gap between exploit and patch availability. We provide the first examination of the impact and the risks associated with this gap on the ecosystem as a whole. Our analysis provides a metric for the success of the responsible disclosure process. We measure the prevalence of the commercial markets for vulnerability information and highlight the role of security information providers (SIP), which function as the free press of the ecosystem.
Log‐Pile TiO<sub>2</sub> Photonic Crystal for Light Control at Near‐UV and Visible Wavelengths (2009)

Three-dimensional photonic crystals with an omnidirectional bandgap at visible frequencies can have significant impact on solid-state lighting and solar-energy conversion. Using a procedure based on multistep electron-beam lithographic processing, a 9-layer log-pile photonic crystal is fabricated composed of 70-nm-wide titanium dioxide rods with 250-nm lattice spacing that exhibit a stacking direction bandgap between 400 nm and 500 nm (see image). Detailed facts of importance to specialist readers are published as ”Supporting Information”. Such documents are peer-reviewed, but not copy-edited or typeset. They are made available as submitted by the authors. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.
Group I Self-Splicing Intron in the <i>recA</i> Gene of <i>Bacillus anthracis</i> (2002)

Self-splicing introns are rarely found in bacteria and bacteriophages. They are classified into group I and II according to their structural features and splicing mechanisms. While the group I introns are occasionally found in protein-coding regions of phage genomes and in several tRNA genes of cyanobacteria and proteobacteria, they had not been found in protein-coding regions of bacterial genomes. Here we report a group I intron in the recA gene of Bacillus anthracis which was initially found by DNA sequencing as an intervening sequence (IVS). By using reverse transcriptase PCR, the IVS was shown to be removable from the recA precursor mRNA for RecA that was being translated in E. coli. The splicing was visualized in vitro with labeled free GTP, indicating that it is a group I intron, which is also implied by its predicted secondary structure. The RecA protein of B. anthracis expressed in E. coli was functional in its ability to complement a recA defect. When recA-negative E. coli cells were irradiated with UV, the Bacillus RecA reduced the UV susceptibility of the recA mutant, regardless of the presence of intron.
Original article: Eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) polymorphisms and association with asthma, s‐ECP levels and related phenotypes (2007)

The present study suggests that the A-G-G haplotype in the RNASE3 gene influences the development of asthma, in particular, an allergic form of asthma. Furthermore, as the -38CA SNP lies in close vicinity of known intron-regulatory sites, results of SNP analysis suggest that the detected association is possibly linked to a genetic transcriptional control of s-ECP levels.
High Levels of Systemic Myeloperoxidase Are Associated With Coronary Plaque Erosion in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndromes (2010)

Systemic myeloperoxidase levels are significantly elevated in patients with acute coronary syndrome presenting with eroded culprit plaque compared with patients presenting with ruptured culprit plaque. Consistently, in postmortem coronary specimens, luminal thrombi superimposed on eroded plaques contain a higher density of myeloperoxidase-positive cells than thrombi superimposed on ruptured plaques. This study supports the concept that elevations in selective inflammatory biomarkers reflect specific acute complications of coronary atherosclerosis.
Avidity of CD1d-ligand-receptor ternary complex contributes to T-helper 1 (Th1) polarization and anticancer efficacy (2011)

Invariant natural killer T cell (NKT) cells (iNKT cells) produce both T-helper 1 (Th1) and T-helper 2 cytokines in response to α-Galactosylceramide (α-GalCer) stimulation and are thought to be the important effectors in the regulation of both innate and adaptive immunity involved in autoimmune disorders, microbial infections, and cancers. However, the anticancer effects of α-GalCer were limited in early clinical trial. In this study, several analogs of α-GalCer, containing phenyl groups in the lipid tails were found to stimulate murine and human iNKT cells to secrete Th1-skewed cytokines and exhibit greater anticancer efficacy in mice than α-GalCer. We explored the possibility of different Vβ usages of murine Vα14 iNKT or human Vα24 iNKT cells, accounting for differential cytokine responses. However, T-cell receptor Vβ analysis revealed no significant differences in Vβ usages by α-GalCer and these phenyl glycolipid analogs. On the other hand, these phenyl glycolipids showed greater binding avidity and stability for iNKT T-cell receptor when complexed with CD1d. These findings suggest that CD1d-phenyl glycolipid complexes may interact with the same population of iNKT cells but with higher avidity and stability to drive Th1 polarization. Thus, this study provides a key to the rational design of Th1 biased CD1d reactive glycolipids in the future.
<b>TNF‐α‐mediated expression of membrane‐type matrix metalloproteinase in rheumatoid synovial fibroblasts</b> (1996)

Degradation of the extracellular matrix plays an important role in rheumatoid articular destruction. Rheumatoid synovial fibroblasts secrete a large amount of matrix-degrading metalloproteinases (MMPs), which initiate tissue damage by proteolytic degradation of collagens and proteoglycans. Cytokines, such as interleukin-1 alpha, -1 beta or tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, are potent inducers of MMPs in rheumatoid synovial fibroblasts, MMPs are synthesized and secreted as latent pro-enzymes and their activation is achieved by proteolytic cleavage or the propeptide domain at the N-terminus of the molecule. Thus, the interaction of the pro-enzymes with specific activators determines the enzymatic activity in the extracellular space. In the present study, we identified a novel mechanism for the activation of pro-MMP-2, which can be achieved through the interaction of the inflammatory cytokine, TNF-alpha, with synovial fibroblasts. Although MMP-2 is constitutively secreted by synovial fibroblasts as a pro-enzyme, stimulation of fibroblasts by TNF-alpha-induced secretion of MMP-2 in an active form. In support of this result, TNF-alpha stimulation-induced membrane-type matrix metalloproteinase (MT-MMP), a newly identified MMP-2-specific activator on synovial fibroblasts. Cycloheximide analysis demonstrated that protein synthesis may be required for TNF-alpha-mediated MT-MMP expression on synovial fibroblasts. Our results suggest that TNF-alpha induces MMP-2 activation in part by up-regulating MT-MMP expression, thus representing a new mechanism for cytokine-mediated articular destruction in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
The Evaluation of Genomic Applications in Practice and Prevention (EGAPP) initiative: methods of the EGAPP Working Group (2009)

The Evaluation of Genomic Applications in Practice and Prevention (EGAPP) Initiative, established by the National Office of Public Health Genomics at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, supports the development and implementation of a rigorous, evidence-based process for evaluating genetic tests and other genomic applications for clinical and public health practice in the United States. An independent, non-federal EGAPP Working Group (EWG), a multidisciplinary expert panel selects topics, oversees the systematic review of evidence, and makes recommendations based on that evidence. This article describes the EGAPP processes and details the specific methods and approaches used by the EWG.
More attentional focusing through binaural beats: evidence from the global–local task (2015)

A recent study showed that binaural beats have an impact on the efficiency of allocating attention over time. We were interested to see whether this impact affects attentional focusing or, even further, the top-down control over irrelevant information. Healthy adults listened to gamma-frequency (40 Hz) binaural beats, which are assumed to increase attentional concentration, or a constant tone of 340 Hz (control condition) for 3 min before and during a global-local task. While the size of the congruency effect (indicating the failure to suppress task-irrelevant information) was unaffected by the binaural beats, the global-precedence effect (reflecting attentional focusing) was considerably smaller after gamma-frequency binaural beats than after the control condition. Our findings suggest that high-frequency binaural beats bias the individual attentional processing style towards a reduced spotlight of attention.
LSI chip design for testability (1978)

The design of LSI chips for testability using shift register latches as the basic storage units in level sensitive scan application will be discussed. Examples of circuits using this technique will also be offered.