gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Effective moving cast shadow detection for monocular color image sequences (2002)

For an accurate scene analysis in monocular image sequences, a robust segmentation of a moving object from the static background is generally required. However, the existence of moving cast shadow may lead to an inaccurate object segmentation, and as a result, lead to further erroneous scene analysis. An effective detection of moving cast shadow in monocular color image sequences is developed. Firstly, by realizing the various characteristics of shadow in luminance, chrominance, and gradient density, an indicator, called shadow confidence score, of the probability of the region classified as cast shadow is calculated. Secondly the canny edge detector is employed to detect edge pixels in the detected region. These pixels are then bounded by their convex hull, which estimates the position of the object. Lastly, by analyzing the shadow confidence score and the bounding hull, the cast shadow is identified as those regions outside the bounding hull and with high shadow confidence score. A number of typical outdoor scenes are evaluated and it is shown that our method can effectively detect the associated cast shadow from the object of interest.
Polyisoprenylated Benzophenones from Clusiaceae: Potential Drugs and Lead Compounds (2009)

Many new polyisoprenylated benzophenones with a bicyclo[3.3.1]-nonane-2,4,9-trione core structure have been isolated from plants in the Clusiaceae family, and their potent biological properties have been the subject of several studies. This review summarizes the biological activities reported for these secondary metabolites including cytotoxic, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. Our efforts during the past years have foremost been directed towards isolating new polyisoprenylated benzophenones, as well as understanding the possible target and mechanism of action through which these compounds arrest cancer cells and inhibit the progression of the cell-cycle. The transcription of genes is affected in cancer cells treated with polyisoprenylated benzophenones; the oncogene c-Myb is down-regulated and endoplasmatic stress genes XBP1, ATF4, and DDIT3/CHOP are turned on. Consequently, the expression of iNOS and cell cycle regulators such as cyclin D and E are reduced. Evidence presented by independent investigators suggests that polyisoprenylated benzophenones affect the mediators in the Akt/mTOR stress pathway, although the specific target remains to be discovered. In addition, benzophenones isolated from plants display high antioxidant capacity and protect cells from oxidative stress and the formation of ROS involved during the inflammatory process. Since antiviral activity was initially reported for guttiferone A, potent synthetic analogues have been developed as effective new non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTI) to treat drug resistant HIV-1. In addition, benzophenones exert antimicrobial effects particularly against MRSA. The structure-activity relationships of polyisoprenylated benzophenones from natural sources and those of synthetic analogues are included in this review. Absorption, metabolism, and elimination of benzophenones are also discussed.
Subwavelength grating periodic structures in silicon-on-insulator: a new type of microphotonic waveguide (2010)

We report on the experimental demonstration and analysis of a new waveguide principle using subwavelength gratings. Unlike other periodic waveguides such as line-defects in a 2D photonic crystal lattice, a subwavelength grating waveguide confines the light as a conventional index-guided structure and does not exhibit optically resonant behaviour. Subwavelength grating waveguides in silicon-on-insulator are fabricated with a single etch step and allow for flexible control of the effective refractive index of the waveguide core simply by lithographic patterning. Experimental measurements indicate a propagation loss as low as 2.1 dB/cm for subwavelength grating waveguides with negligible polarization and wavelength dependent loss, which compares favourably to conventional microphotonic silicon waveguides. The measured group index is nearly constant n(g) ~1.5 over a wavelength range exceeding the telecom C-band.
Reprogramming Alternative Pre-messenger RNA Splicing through the Use of Protein-binding Antisense Oligonucleotides (2003)

Alternative pre-messenger RNA splicing is a major contributor to proteomic diversity in higher eukaryotes and represents a key step in the control of protein function in a large variety of biological systems. As a means of artificially altering splice site choice, we have investigated the impact of positioning proteins in the vicinity of 5' splice sites. We find that a recombinant GST-MS2 protein interferes with 5' splice site use, most efficiently when it binds upstream of that site. To broaden the use of proteins as steric inhibitors of splicing, we have tested the activity of antisense oligonucleotides carrying binding sites for the heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A1/A2 proteins. In a HeLa cell extract, tailed oligonucleotides complementary to exonic sequences elicit strong shifts in 5' splice site selection. In four different human cell lines, an interfering oligonucleotide carrying A1/A2 binding sites also shifted the alternative splicing of the Bcl-x pre-mRNA more efficiently than oligonucleotides acting through duplex formation only. The use of protein-binding oligonucleotides that interfere with U1 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein binding therefore represents a novel and powerful approach to control splice site selection in cells.
Relative analgesic potency of fentanyl and sufentanil during intermediate-term infusions in patients after long-term opioid treatment for chronic pain (2004)

Sufentanil, a potent mu-opioid agonist, historically has not been been given systemically to treat chronic pain. An implantable, fixed-rate osmotic pump that delivers sufentanil subcutaneously is being developed for this purpose. In that transdermal fentanyl may be a useful intermediary to estimate the appropriate sufentanil dose before implant, accurate information is needed about the relative analgesic potency of sufentanil and fentanyl during continuous infusion. To determine this relative potency, we administered these drugs to opioid-treated chronic pain patients using a target-controlled infusion (TCI). Sixty-three patients with stable chronic pain and daily oral opioid requirements equivalent to 100-1000 mg of morphine received TCI of fentanyl and sufentanil, each for a minimum of 16 h. Drug administration was double-blind and the order of administration was randomly assigned. Target concentration was changed until the patient reported that analgesia was adequate (defined as a pain level equal to or better than baseline). Seven patients did not complete the infusion and protocol violations invalidated data for 15 patients. For the remaining 41 patients, target concentrations associated with adequate analgesia were achieved for both sufentanil and fentanyl. The median value for the equianalgesic concentration ratio (steady-state fentanyl infusion to steady-state sufentanil infusion) was 7.5; mean potency ratio was 7.44 (95% confidence interval 6.8-8.2). During titrated, intermediate-term infusions in patients previously treated with opioids for chronic pain, sufentanil is approximately 7.5 times as potent as fentanyl.
Metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy grown InGaN∕GaN light-emitting diodes on Si(001) substrate (2006)

We present GaN-based light emitting diode structures on a Si(001) substrate. The 2.3μm thick, crack-free layers were grown by metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy using a high-temperature AlN seed layer and 4° off-oriented substrates. This allows us to grow a flat, fully coalesced, and single crystalline GaN layer on Si(001). For preventing crack formation, four AlN interlayers were inserted in the buffer structure. The optically active layers consist of five-fold InGaN∕GaN multiple quantum wells showing a bright electroluminescence at 490nm at room temperature. The crystallographic structure was analyzed by x-ray diffraction measurements and the optical properties were determined by photo- and electroluminescence.
Selection and Operation of Secondary DNS Servers (1997)

This document specifies an Internet Best Current Practices for the Internet Community, and requests discussion and suggestions for improvements.
Analyses of T-cell differentiation from hemopoietic stem cells in the G0 phase by an in vitro method. (1991)

Using differential radiation sensitivity of components of mouse embryonal thymus, an in vitro method for studying T-cell differentiation from hemopoietic stem cells (HSCs) in the G0 phase was established. Intrathymic T-cell precursors present in embryonal thymus were found to be quite radioresistant (up to 20 Gy), and consequently 25-Gy-irradiated embryonal thymic lobes were used. Thymic lobes (25-Gy irradiated) taken from mouse fetuses (gestation day 15) were placed in Millipore-HA culture plates supported on squares of gelatin foam sponge in 24-well culture plates in which neonatal thymus stromal cells were cultured. HSCs (10(5) cells per well) in the G0 phase were added to these thymic lobes and cocultured at 37 degrees C in a 5% CO2/95% air incubator. Half the culture medium was changed every week. After 3 weeks, a large number of colonies had formed. Immunohistochemical studies and fluorescence-activated cell sorter analyses revealed that the colonizing cells regularly develop and exhibit surface markers characteristic of T cells (Thy-1, IL-2R, L3T4, Lyt-2, etc.). In situ hybridization analyses revealed that mRNA expression for T-cell receptor (TCR) beta chains occurred within colonizing cells. Using a monoclonal antibody (F23.1), expression of TCR beta-chain variable domain (V beta 8) on the surface of these developing T cells was demonstrated. These cells responded to interleukin 2 and/or anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody, indicating functional T cells. This method will be useful in studying T-cell differentiation pathways from pluripotent HSCs and in clarifying the mechanisms involved in negative and positive selection of T cells within the thymus.
4-[3-(2-Nitro-1-imidazolyl)propylamino]-7-chloroquinoline Hydrochloride (NLCQ-1), a Novel Bioreductive Agent as Radiosensitizer In Vitro and In Vivo: Comparison With Tirapazamine (2001)

The novel hypoxia-selective cytotoxin NLCQ-1, which is a weak DNA intercalator, was studied in conjunction with radiation against V79 cultured cells and EMT6 or SCCVII tumors in their syngeneic mice and compared with tirapazamine (TPZ). NLCQ-1 was a very potent and efficient radiosensitizer of hypoxic V79 cells, providing SER values of 2.27-2.56 at 20-80 microM concentration (measured at 10% survival level). Its C1.6 (concentration for an SER of 1.6 to be obtained) was 7.2+/-0.2 microM. Its in vitro therapeutic index (ThI, defined as CT50(Air),/C1.6) varied by the exposure time from 57 (1-h exposure) to 145 (4.5-h exposure). The corresponding C1.6 value for TPZ was 16.9 microM whereas its in vitro therapeutic index was 49 (3-h exposure). A schedule-dependent synergistic interaction was observed between NLCQ-1 or TPZ and 20 Gy of radiation in both tumor models examined, by using the in vivo-in vitro assay as endpoint. Optimal synergism (> 1 log) was observed in EMT6 tumors when each bioreductive drug was given between 45 and 60 min before irradiation. NLCQ-1 alone had no significant antitumor activity at 10 mg/kg (28% of its single LD50), whereas a 0.4 surviving fraction was obtained by TPZ at 30 mg/kg (38% of its single LD50). SER values of 1.52 and 1.25 were obtained with 10 mg/kg NLCQ-1 and 30 mg/kg TPZ, respectively, in EMT6 tumors. An SER value of 1.58 was obtained for both hypoxia-selective cytotoxins, at equitoxic doses, in SCCVII tumors, by using a fractionated regimen. These results suggest a possible use of NLCQ-1 or TPZ as adjuvants to radiotherapy.
Effects of Aspirin Dose When Used Alone or in Combination With Clopidogrel in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndromes (2003)

In patients with ACS, adding clopidogrel to aspirin is beneficial regardless of aspirin dose. Bleeding risks increase with increasing aspirin dose, with or without clopidogrel, without any increase in efficacy. Our findings suggest that the optimal daily dose of aspirin may be between 75 and 100 mg, with or without clopidogrel.
The Role of Apoptosis in Age-Related Macular Degeneration (2002)

Evidence in this study suggests that in human AMD, RPE, photoreceptors, and inner nuclear layer cells die by apoptosis. Most TUNEL-positive RPE and photoreceptor cells were at edges of atrophy, correlating with clinically observed expansion of atrophic areas with vision loss in patients with GA. Increased Fas labeling in AMD photoreceptors indicates that the Fas/Fas ligand system may be involved in photoreceptor apoptosis. This information is essential for developing rational therapy for AMD.
Impaired angiogenesis and tumor development by inhibition of the mitotic kinesin Eg5 (2013)

Kinesin motor proteins exert essential cellular functions in all eukaryotes. They control mitosis, migration and intracellular transport through interaction with microtubules. Small molecule inhibitors of the mitotic kinesin KiF11/Eg5 are a promising new class of anti-neoplastic agents currently evaluated in clinical cancer trials for solid tumors and hematological malignancies. Here we report induction of Eg5 and four other mitotic kinesins including KIF20A/Mklp2 upon stimulation of in vivo angiogenesis with vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A). Expression analyses indicate up-regulation of several kinesin-encoding genes predominantly in lymphoblasts and endothelial cells. Chemical blockade of Eg5 inhibits endothelial cell proliferation and migration in vitro. Mitosis-independent vascular outgrowth in aortic ring cultures is strongly impaired after Eg5 or Mklp2 protein inhibition. In vivo, interfering with KIF11/Eg5 function causes developmental and vascular defects in zebrafish and chick embryos and potent inhibition of tumor angiogenesis in experimental tumor models. Besides blocking tumor cell proliferation, impairing endothelial function is a novel mechanism of action of kinesin inhibitors.
CD43, but not P-Selectin Glycoprotein Ligand-1, Functions as an E-Selectin Counter-Receptor in Human Pre-B–Cell Leukemia NALL-1 (2008)

B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP-ALL/B-precursor ALL) is characterized by a high rate of tissue infiltration. The mechanism of BCP-ALL cell extravasation is not fully understood. In the present study, we have investigated the major carrier of carbohydrate selectin ligands in the BCP-ALL cell line NALL-1 and its possible role in the extravascular infiltration of the leukemic cells. B-precursor ALL cell lines and clinical samples from patients with BCP-ALL essentially exhibited positive flow cytometric reactivity with E-selectin, and the reactivity was significantly diminished by O-sialoglycoprotein endopeptidase treatment in NALL-1 cells. B-precursor ALL cell lines adhered well to E-selectin but only very weakly to P-selectin with low-shear-force cell adhesion assay. Although BCP-ALL cell lines did not express the well-known core protein P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1), a major proportion of the carbohydrate selectin ligand was carried by a sialomucin, CD43, in NALL-1 cells. Most clinical samples from patients with BCP-ALL exhibited a PSGL-1(neg/low)/CD43(high) phenotype. NALL-1 cells rolled well on E-selectin, but knockdown of CD43 on NALL-1 cells resulted in reduced rolling activity on E-selectin. In addition, the CD43 knockdown NALL-1 cells showed decreased tissue engraftment compared with the control cells when introduced into gamma-irradiated immunodeficient mice. These results strongly suggest that CD43 but not PSGL-1 plays an important role in the extravascular infiltration of NALL-1 cells and that the degree of tissue engraftment of B-precursor ALL cells may be controlled by manipulating CD43 expression.
High-affinity DNA-protein interactions of the cellular ETS1 protein: the determination of the ETS binding motif. (1991)

ETS1 protein purified from CEM cells was used to select its optimum DNA-binding sequence (pu) G/CCaGGA-AGTc (py). The sequence CCGGAAGT (ETS1-3) was preferred 5:1 over CAGGAAGT (PEA3). Quantitative electrophoretic mobility-shift assays (EMSA) indicated that the purified ETS1 protein binds to either ETS1-3 or PEA3 oligonucleotide probes with high affinity (Ka = 0.5-4.0 x 10(10) M-1) and that the purified ETS1 has different binding capacities for ETS1-3 and PEA3 oligonucleotide probes. The ETS1 protein binds 2-5 times more ETS1-3 than PEA3. Competitive binding experiments showed that the ETS1-3 and PEA3 probes effectively compete for the binding of ETS1-3. However, changing the core DNA-binding sequence from GGAA to AGAA eliminates competition. Since the human ETS1 protein selected the same DNA sequence from a mixture of random oligonucleotides as did the Drosophila E74A protein (one of the most divergent members of the ETS family), this strongly suggests that all proteins containing the ETS 85 amino acid domain (sequences which define the ETS family) will bind to the same sequence.
Fibromuscular dysplasia (2000)

Fibromuscular dysplasia is an uncommon angiopathy that occurs in young to middle-aged, predominately female individuals. The disease consists of a heterogeneous group of histologic changes, which ultimately lead to arterial narrowing. Clinical manifestations reflect the arterial bed involved, most commonly hypertension (renal) and stroke (carotid). Fibromuscular dysplasia is a pathologic diagnosis, but the characteristic changes seen on an angiogram can be used to make the diagnosis in the appropriate clinical setting. This noninflammatory disease is a common mimic of vasculitis. A very limited amount of new literature has been published in the past year about this relatively uncommon condition.
Identification of an isozymic form of acetyl-CoA carboxylase. (1990)

Acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) is a major rate-limiting enzyme of fatty acid biosynthesis; its product, malonyl-CoA, also contributes to the regulation of fatty acid oxidation and elongation. Using monospecific antibodies directed against rat liver ACC and N- and C-terminal antipeptide antibodies raised against predicted sequences of the cloned ACC of Mr 265,000, we have identified a unique biotin-containing cytosolic protein of molecular mass 280,000 daltons that is distinct from this 265,000-dalton protein. This protein is uniquely expressed in rat cardiac and skeletal muscle but is co-expressed with the 265,000-dalton protein in rat liver, mammary gland, and brown adipose tissue. In the fed rat, white adipose tissue contains only the 265,000-dalton protein. Like the 265,000-dalton protein, the 280,000-dalton protein is present predominantly in the cytosolic fraction of liver. In the liver, the content of both proteins is diminished on fasting and increases on fasting/refeeding with a high carbohydrate diet. In contrast, the cardiac and skeletal muscle 280,000-dalton protein content is unaltered by nutritional manipulation. Avidin-Sepharose isolates of citrate-dependent ACC from the heart reveal only the 280,000-dalton protein, while white adipose tissue isolates show only the 265,000 form. These species differ in the sensitivity to citrate activation and in the Km for acetyl-CoA. Antibodies reactive with the 280,000-dalton protein on immunoblotting precipitate ACC activity in heart isolates, while white adipose ACC is precipitated only by antibodies specific for the 265,000-dalton species. However, in ACC isolates where both proteins are present, a heteroisozyme complex can be detected both by immunoprecipitation and by a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We conclude that the 280,000-dalton protein is an isozyme of ACC, distinct from the previously cloned 265,000-dalton species. Its presence in cardiac and skeletal muscle, where fatty acid synthesis rates are low, suggest that it might play alternative roles in these tissues such as regulation of fatty acid oxidation or microsomal fatty acid elongation.
Effect of CO2 sorption and desorption on the creep response of polycarbonate (2005)

Abstract In this article, experimental results on the effect of CO 2 sorption and desorption on the creep response of polycarbonate (PC) are presented. Tensile specimens machined from PC sheets were exposed to CO 2 and the absorbed gas mass fraction ranged from 0.045 to 0.12. The creep/creep recovery response of as‐received PC, saturated PC, and saturation‐cycled PC was characterized. It was found that the saturated PC showed a creep behavior similar to heating the PC to its glass transition temperature. The creep compliance of saturation‐cycled PC was found to change with the desorption or aging time. The tests on PC saturated and then desorbed for up to 60 days showed that the effects of exposure to CO 2 on PC creep properties persist long after the gas has left the polymer, and could be permanent. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 45:1639–1644, 2005. © 2005 Society of Plastics Engineers
Insertional activation of a promoterless thymidine kinase gene. (1988)

A plasmid carrying a promoterless herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase gene was transfected via calcium phosphate precipitation into LM (tk-) mouse fibroblast cells. The transfected gene was efficiently expressed, as the transfected cells grew perfectly well in selective hypoxanthine-aminopterin-thymidine medium, suggesting that the thymidine kinase-coding region became linked to a promoterlike element on integration into the recipient genome. To investigate the structure of the surrogate promoter, we first isolated the integrated gene from a genomic library. The nucleotide sequence of the DNA adjacent to the thymidine kinase-coding sequence was then determined. We found, first, that the integration of the transfected DNA apparently occurred by a blunt end ligation mechanism involving no obvious sequence similarities between integrated and recipient DNA and, second, that the 5'-flanking region included a TATA box, two CCAAT boxes, and a GC box element. However, the TATA box motif and the most proximal CCAAT box appeared to be sufficient for full promoter activity, as determined by the transfection efficiencies of appropriate plasmid constructs. Except for these canonical promoter elements, the surrogate promoter had no obvious similarities to known thymidine kinase gene promoters.
Controlled Multistep Purification of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (2004)

A controlled and scalable multistep purification method has been developed to remove iron impurity and nonnanotube carbon materials from raw single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) produced in the HiPco (high-pressure CO) process. In this study, iron nanoparticles, coated by carbon, are exposed and oxidized by multiple step oxidation at increasing temperatures. To avoid catalytic oxidation by iron oxide of carbon nanotubes, the exposed and oxidized iron oxide is deactivated by reaction with C(2)H(2)F(4) or SF(6). The iron fluorides are removed by a Soxhlet extraction with a 6 M HCl solution. The purity and quality of each sample were determined by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Raman spectrometry, ultraviolet-visible-near-IR (UV-vis-near-IR) spectrometry, fluorescence spectrometry, and transmission electron microscope (TEM) spectroscopy. The purity and yield of SWNTs are improved due to reduced catalytic activity of the iron oxide. Greater iron oxide removal also resulted from oxidation at higher temperatures.