gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Na<sup>+</sup>/K<sup>+</sup>ATPase regulates sperm capacitation through a mechanism involving kinases and redistribution of its testis‐specific isoform (2009)

Incubation of bovine sperm with ouabain, an endogenous cardiac glycoside that inhibits both the ubiquitous (ATP1A1) and testis-specific alpha4 (ATP1A4) isoforms of Na(+)/K(+)ATPase, induces tyrosine phosphorylation and capacitation. The objectives of this study were to investigate: (1) fertilizing ability of bovine sperm capacitated by incubating with ouabain; (2) involvement of ATP1A4 in this process; and (3) signaling mechanisms involved in the regulation of sperm capacitation induced by inhibition of Na(+)/K(+)ATPase activity. Fresh sperm capacitated by incubating with ouabain (inhibits both ATP1A1 and ATP1A4) or with anti-ATP1A4 immunoserum fertilized bovine oocytes in vitro. Capacitation was associated with relocalization of ATP1A4 from the entire sperm head to the post-acrosomal region. To investigate signaling mechanisms involved in oubain-induced regulation of sperm capacitation, sperm preparations were pre-incubated with inhibitors of specific signaling molecules, followed by incubation with ouabain. The phosphotyrosine content of sperm preparations was determined by immunoblotting, and capacitation status of these sperm preparations were evaluated through an acrosome reaction assay. We inferred that Na(+)/K(+)ATPase was involved in the regulation of tyrosine phosphorylation in sperm proteins through receptor tyrosine kinase, nonreceptor type protein kinase, and protein kinases A and C. In conclusion, inhibition of Na(+)/K(+)ATPase induced tyrosine phosphorylation and capacitation through multiple signal transduction pathways, imparting fertilizing ability in bovine sperm. To our knowledge, this is the first report documenting both the involvement of ATP1A4 in the regulation of bovine sperm capacitation and that fresh bovine sperm capacitated by the inhibition of Na(+)/K(+)ATPase can fertilize oocytes in vitro.
Polyols Prepared from Ring-Opening Epoxidized Soybean Oil by a Castor Oil-Based Fatty Diol (2015)

Several biorenewable vegetable oil-based polyols with different molecular weights and various hydroxyl functionalities were successfully prepared by ring-opening epoxidized soybean oil with a castor oil-based fatty diol. It was found that several factors, including reaction time, reaction temperature, and molar ratios between epoxidized soybean oil and castor oil diol, affect structures and rheology behaviors of the final polyols. Proton NMR, FT-IR, GPC, and rheometry results revealed that the hydroxyl functionalities, molecular weight, and viscosity of the polyols could be tailored by controlling the above-mentioned factors. Besides, the role of solvents in the epoxy ring-opening process was investigated as well.
Therapeutic Action of Fluoxetine is Associated with a Reduction in Prefrontal Cortical miR-1971 Expression Levels in a Mouse Model of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (2013)

MicroRNAs (miRNA) are a class of small non-coding RNAs that have recently emerged as epigenetic modulators of gene expression in psychiatric diseases like schizophrenia and major depression. So far, miRNAs have neither been studied in patients suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) nor in PTSD animal models. Here, we present the first study exploring the connection between miRNAs and PTSD. Employing our previously established PTSD mouse model, we assessed miRNA profiles in prefrontal cortices (PFCs) dissected from either fluoxetine or control-treated wildtype C57BL/6N mice 74 days after their subjection to either a single traumatic electric footshock or mock-treatment. Fluoxetine is an antidepressant known to be effective both in PTSD patients and in mice suffering from a PTSD-like syndrome. Screening for differences in the relative expression levels of all potential miRNA target sequences of miRBase 18.0 by pairwise comparison of the PFC miRNA profiles of the four mouse groups mentioned resulted in identification of five miRNA candidate molecules. Validation of these miRNA candidates by reverse transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) revealed that the therapeutic action of fluoxetine in shocked mice is associated with a significant reduction in mmu-miR-1971 expression. Furthermore, our findings suggest that traumatic stress and fluoxetine interact to cause distinct alterations in the mouse PFC miRNA signature in the long-term.
Data storage in NOS: lifetime and carrier-to-noise measurements (1995)

Charge trapping in thin films of silicon nitride has long been studied for use as a nonvolatile semiconductor memory. Recently, this technology has been combined with scanned probe technologies with the sharp probe tip serving as the upper electrode in a Si/sub 3/N/sub 4/-SiO/sub 2/-Si (NOS) structure. By applying a voltage pulse between the tip and silicon substrate, charge carriers can be made to tunnel through the oxide and be trapped in the nitride. It has been proposed that such a system could be used as a high density data storage device. We have explored some of the issues related to such an application, including data lifetime and data rates. In high temperature aging studies, no sign of charge spreading was seen after 9 months at 150/spl deg/C. From the logarithmic nature of the charge decay, we predict that the initial written charge should have a lifetime in excess of 30 years at 150/spl deg/C. At a data rate of 500 kHz, a carrier-to-noise ratio (CNR) of approximately 60 dB in a 5-kHz bandwidth was demonstrated. A model based on the presence of trapped charge in oxide or nitride is used to explain a 45-dB discrepancy between the calculated and measured CNR. >
Characterization of a Peptide Analog of a Determinant of Type II Collagen That Suppresses Collagen-Induced Arthritis (1998)

Immunization of susceptible strains of mice with type II collagen (CII) elicits an autoimmune arthritis known as collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). One analogue peptide of the immunodominant T cell determinant, A9 (CII245-270 (I260-->A, A261-->B, F263-->N)), was previously shown to induce a profound suppression of CIA when coadministered at the time of immunization with CII. In the present study, A9 peptide was administered i.p., orally, intranasally, or i.v. 2 to 4 wk following CII immunization. We found that arthritis was significantly suppressed even when A9 was administered after disease was induced. To determine the mechanism of action of A9, cytokine responses to A9 and wild-type peptide A2 by CII-sensitized spleen cells were compared. An increase in IL-4 and IL-10, but not in IFN-gamma, was found in A9 culture supernatants. Additionally, cells obtained from A9-immunized mice produced higher amounts of IL-4 and IL-10 when cultured with CII compared with cells obtained from mice immunized with A2, which produced predominantly IFN-gamma. Suppression of arthritis could be transferred to naive mice using A9-immune splenocytes. Lastly, phosphorylation of TCRzeta was not altered in the immunoprecipitates from the lysates of cells exposed to analogue peptides (A9 and A10) together with wild-type A2 in a T cell line and two I-Aq-restricted, CII-specific T hybridomas. We conclude that analogue peptide A9 is effective in suppressing established CIA by inducing T cells to produce a Th2 cytokine pattern in response to CII.
QR-Maps: An efficient tool for indoor user location based on QR-Codes and Google maps (2011)

An increasing number of new geolocation services are exploiting the new capabilities of smartphones, most of which incorporate GPS location. There are fewer applications for providing indoor location, partly due to the cost of the required infrastructure. In this paper, we present QR-Maps, a simple and efficient tool that can be used in smartphones to obtain accurate indoor user locations. This tool employs QR-Codes containing a short text which indicates locations shown within a custom Google map. The proposed solution is cheaper than other approaches based on wireless technologies.
Conformational Properties of Epothilone (1999)

The epothilones are macrolide natural products, produced by myxobacterium Sorangium cellulosum (So ce 90), which mimic the biological activity of the anticancer agent Taxol. These interesting compounds have been shown to bind tubulin, induce microtubule polymerization, and stabilize microtubule dynamics. Coupled with its biological activity, epothilone's relatively simple structure has made it an exciting target for total synthesis and analogue preparation. To date, only limited information has been reported with regard to epothilone's conformation in solution. We have used a combination of NMR studies and computational modeling to investigate the conformational properties of this exciting new lead in cancer chemotherapy. One- and two-dimensional 1H NMR experiments as well as computational methods suggest that the epothilone A prefers to exist in two conformations in both CD2Cl2 and DMSO/D2O. Knowledge of the solution conformation of epothilone in both organic and biological media may allow for the determination of the spatial arrangement of key functionality necessary for tubulin binding and the stabilization of microtubule dynamic structures. In addition, increased understanding of epothilone and its analogues' conformational properties may allow for the rational design of new compounds with microtubule-stabilizing properties.
pH effects on 10 Streptomyces spp. growth and sporulation depend on nutrients (2005)

The growth pH ranges, pH ranges for the optimal growth, and sporulation were strongly dependent on nutrients.
Intercomparison of ground‐based NO<sub><i>y</i></sub> measurement techniques (1998)

An informal intercomparison of NO y measurement techniques was conducted from June 13 to July 22, 1994, at a site in Hendersonville, Tennessee, near Nashville. The intercomparison involved five research institutions: Brookhaven National Laboratory, Environmental Science and Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, NOAA/Aeronomy Laboratory, and Tennessee Valley Authority. The NO y measurement techniques relied on the reduction of NO y species to NO followed by detection of NO using O 3 ‐chemiluminescence. The NO y methods used either the Au‐catalyzed conversion of NO y to NO in the presence of CO or H 2 or the reduction of NO y to NO on a heated molybdenum oxide surface. Other measurements included O 3 , NO x , PAN and other organic peroxycarboxylic nitric anhydrides, HNO 3 and particulate nitrate, and meteorological parameters. The intercomparison consisted of six weeks of ambient air sampling with instruments and inlet systems normally used by the groups for field measurements. In addition, periodic challenges to the instruments (spike tests) were conducted with known levels of NO, NO 2 , NPN, HNO 3 and NH 3 . The NO y levels were typically large and highly variable, ranging from 2 ppbv to about 100 ppbv, and for much of the time was composed mostly of NO x from nearby sources. The spike tests results and ambient air results were consistent only when NO x was a substantial fraction of NO y . Inconsistency with ambient air data and the other spike test results is largely attributed to imprecision in the spike results due to the high and variable NO y background. For the ambient air data, a high degree of correlation was found with the different data sets. Of the seven NO y instrument/converters deployed at the site, two (one Au and one Mo) showed evidence of some loss of conversion efficiency. This occurred when the more oxidized NO y species (e.g., HNO 3 ) were in relatively high abundance, as shown by analysis of one period of intense photochemical activity. For five of the instruments, no significant differences were found in the effectiveness of NO y conversion at these levels of NO y with either Au or Mo converters. Within the estimated uncertainty limits there was agreement between the sum of the separately measured NO y species and the NO y measured by the five of the seven techniques. These results indicate that NO y can be measured reliably in urban and suburban environments with existing instrumentation.
Silicon electro-optic modulator based on a three terminal device integrated in a low-loss single-mode SOI waveguide (1997)

We analyze, from a theoretical point of view, a novel silicon optical amplitude-phase modulator integrated into a SOI (silicon on insulator) optical waveguide and based on a three terminal electronic structure which gives rise to definite advantages in comparison with a classical p-i-n diode based modulator. The proposed device utilizes the free carrier dispersion effect to produce the desired refractive index and absorption coefficient variations. The MEDICI two-dimensional (2-D) semiconductor device simulator has been used to analyze the electrical operation, with reference to the free carrier concentration injected into the optical channel, its uniformity and the required current density and electrical power. The optical investigation was carried out by means of FDM (finite difference method), EIM (effective index method), and BPM (beam propagation method) tools, giving rise to a complete evaluation of the properties of our device. We report the results for both the amplitude and phase modulators, paying attention to the static and the dynamic behavior. In particular, an amplitude modulation of 20%, with an injection power of about 126 mW, and a switching time of 5.6 ns can be achieved theoretically, Furthermore, as a phase modulator, the device exhibits a very high figure of merit, predicting an induced phase shift per volt per millimeter of about 215/spl deg/, for a injection power of about 43 mW, and a switching time shorter than 3.5 ns.
DPSK demodulator based on optical discriminator filter (2005)

A 10-Gb/s differential phase-shift-keying (DPSK) demodulator is demonstrated based on an ultranarrow 6.2-GHz optical discriminator filter. The DPSK demodulator operates with a conventional direct detection p-i-n receiver, while still outperforming on-off keying by 1.2 dB.
A High Directivity Microstrip Coupler Technique (1970)

Typically loosely coupled backward wave microstrip couplers have directivities which decrease with increasing frequency. High directivity becomes more difficult to obtain as the coupling is loosened. The problem appears to be that the propagating velocities of the odd and even modes are not equal. This paper deals with a technique which equalizes these velocities up to an arbitrarily high frequency.
Plasma amino acid levels in patients with colorectal cancers and liver cirrhosis with hepatocellular carcinoma. (2004)

The plasma free amino acid patterns in our colorectal cancer patients and cirrhotic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma were rather characteristic. The results will offer useful tools for improving diagnosis and therapy.
MATING AND REMATING OF MEDFLIES (DIPTERA: TEPHRITIDAE) IN GUATEMALA: INDIVIDUAL FLY MARKING IN FIELD CAGES (2002)

The sterile insect technique (SIT) depends critically upon the ability of sterilized, released males to locate and mate with wild females. The overall efficiency of the method also depends upon the relative frequencies of remating by wild females following first matings to laboratory or wild males. Using a newly devised technique that individually marks the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), a field cage study was undertaken in a Guatemala coffee orchard to record individual fly mating behaviors between each of several laboratory strain and coffee-reared wild flies. Five laboratory strains were tested - a genetic sexing strain examined in sex ratios between 50%-100% sterile males, two standard bisexual strains, and two F1 hybrid strains. The marking technique revealed a substantial amount of information on individual fly mating and remating. Wild male flies significantly outcompeted each of the lab strains in the first matings with both wild and lab females. Approx. 22% and 3% of wild males and females, respectively, remated in the field cages during two consecutive morning observation periods, while 4-8% of lab males, and 2-8% of lab females remated, respectively. Male flies from each lab strain averaged significantly shorter copulation times than wild males. Female flies, either lab or wild, tended to remate more often if they first mated to a lab male, but the differences were not statistically significant. An index was devised to provide a measure of relative male mating quality. Wild males tended to have higher individual index values than lab strain males. Average values of the latter ranged from ca. half to roughly equal that of wild males.
Solution-Electrospun Isotactic Polypropylene Fibers: Processing and Microstructure Development during Stepwise Annealing (2010)

Isotactic polypropylene (iPP) fibers with diameters between 0.3 and 1.2 μm were successfully produced from high-temperature electrospinning solutions using a jacket-type heat exchanger to maintain the solution temperature, an infrared emitter to control the environmental temperature, and a laser heating device to heat locally the needle spinneret to a desired temperature (100−120 °C). The iPP/o-dichlorobenzene solutions with concentrations lower than the entanglement concentration were feasibly electrospun to produce bead-free iPP fibers, suggesting that fast solvent evaporation takes place to assist the formation of sufficiently strong chain networks prior to the jet whipping process to resist the breakup of electrified jets. Through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, wide-angle X-ray diffraction, small-angle X-ray scattering, and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) analyses, the internal structure of as-spun fibers was characterized, and the annealing effect on the structure evolution was investigated. For comparison, stepwise annealing of the melt-quenched film was also carried out. For the as-spun fibers, a major mesophase with minor α-form crystal modification was found. During stepwise annealing to high temperatures, the amorphous phase remained unchanged, and the mesophase gradually transformed into stable α-form crystals prior to crystal melting. DSC results showed that both the reorganization temperature and meso → α transformation temperature in the fibers were higher than those in the melt-quenched film. On the basis of our results, a plausible mechanism for the meso → α transformation in the electrospun fibers is proposed: the initial helix reorganization takes place at the interfacial region of the mesomorphic domains, where noncrystalline chains with a preferred orientation are developed due to the elongation flow during electrospinning. After forming stable α-form nuclei, the progressive transformation of meso → α crystals toward the core of mesomorphic domain is expected.
Gold-Catalyzed 1,2-Migration of Silicon, Tin, and Germanium en Route to C-2 Substituted Fused Pyrrole-Containing Heterocycles (2006)

An efficient method for the synthesis of fused pyrroloheterocycles from diverse propargyl-substituted heterocycles in the presence of Au-catalyst has been developed. The cascade transformation proceeds via alkyne-vinylidene isomerization with concomitant 1,2-shift of hydrogen, silyl, and stannyl groups. Remarkably, it was also shown that previously unknown 1,2-migration of a germyl group upon alkyne-vinylidene rearrangement occurs under these reaction conditions. This method allows for mild and efficient synthesis of diverse C-2 substituted N-containing heterocycles.
Post‐stack velocity analysis by separation and imaging of seismic diffractions (2006)

Small geological features manifest themselves in seismic data in the form of diffracted waves, which are fundamentally different from seismic reflections. Using two field data examples, we demonstrate the possibility of separating seismic diffractions in the data and imaging them with optimally chosen migration velocities. Our criterion for separating reflection and diffraction events is the smoothness and continuity of local event slopes. Our criterion for optimal focusing is the local varimax measure. The objective is fast velocity analysis in the post‐stack domain and high‐resolution imaging of small‐scale heterogeneities. Our examples demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method for high‐resolution imaging of such geological features as faults and salt boundaries.
Addition of carbohydrate side chains at novel sites on influenza virus hemagglutinin can modulate the folding, transport, and activity of the molecule. (1988)

We have constructed and expressed a series of mutant influenza virus hemagglutinins, each containing a new consensus site for glycosylation in addition to the seven sites found on the wild-type protein. Oligosaccharide side chains were added with high efficiency at four of the five novel sites, located on areas of the protein's surface that are not normally shielded by carbohydrate. Investigations of the structure, intracellular transport, and biological activities of the mutant hemagglutinin molecules indicated that (a) supernumerary carbohydrate side chains can be used to shield or disrupt functional epitopes on the surface of hemagglutinin, and (b) the presence of an additional oligosaccharide may cause temperature-dependent defects in the transport of the glycoprotein. We discuss the addition of supernumerary oligosaccharides as a general tool for shielding chosen areas of the surface of proteins that enter or traverse the secretory pathway.
Microfluidic Actuation Using Electrochemically Generated Bubbles (2002)

Bubble-based actuation in microfluidic applications is attractive owing to elementary microfabrication requirements. In the present study, the mechanical and chemical characteristics of electrochemically generated bubble valves were studied. By generating electrochemical bubbles as valves directly inside the channel, valves could be closed and opened in milliseconds. Whereas bubble inflation (or valve closing) rate increases with applied voltage, small microfluidic dimensions accelerate bubble deflation rates. It is found that bubbles need not collapse fully to restore full flow, and the channel opens when its hydraulic resistance equals that between the bubble and the wall--a process requiring only milliseconds. Since only picomoles of salt are needed to generate bubbles, pH gradients that are invariably associated with electrochemical reactions were readily suppressed by using a small amount of buffer, as visualized by a pH-sensitive fluorescent dye. A range of common laboratory reagents and electrolytes in varying concentrations, including weak to strong acids and bases, as well as nonaqueous/aqueous mixtures were successfully tested. Using such bubble valves, an eight-way multiplexer was fabricated and tested.
Impact of Drug‐Exposure Intensity and Duration of Therapy on the Emergence of<i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>Resistance to a Quinolone Antimicrobial (2007)

We have shown previously in animal model and in vitro systems that antimicrobial therapy intensity has a profound influence on subpopulations of resistant organisms. Little attention has been paid to the effect of therapy duration on resistant subpopulations. We examined the influence of therapy intensity (area under the concentration/time curve for 24 h:minimum inhibitory concentration [AUC24:MIC] ratio) and therapy duration on resistance emergence using an in vitro model of Staphylococcus aureus infection. AUC24:MIC ratios of>or=100 were necessary to kill a substantial portion of the total population. Importantly, we demonstrated that therapy duration is a critical parameter. As the duration increased beyond 5 days, the intensity needed to suppress the antibiotic-resistant subpopulations increased, even when the initial bacterial kill was>4 log10 (cfu/mL). These findings were prospectively validated in an independent experiment in which exposures were calculated from the results of fitting a large mathematical model to all data simultaneously. All of the prospectively determined predictions were fulfilled in this validation experiment.