gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
MPEG digital video-coding standards (1997)

The efficient digital representation of image and video signals has been the subject of considerable research over the past 20 years. Digital video-coding technology has developed into a mature field and products have been developed that are targeted for a wide range of emerging applications, such as video on demand, digital TV/HDTV broadcasting, and multimedia image/video database services. With the increased commercial interest in video communications, the need for international image- and video-compression standards arose. To meet this need, the Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) was formed to develop coding standards. MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 video-coding standards have attracted much attention worldwide, with an increasing number of very large scale integration (VLSI) and software implementations of these standards becoming commercially available. MPEG-4, the most recent MPEG standard that is still under development, is targeted for future content-based multimedia applications. We provide an overview of the MPEG video-coding algorithms and standards and their role in video communications. We review the basic concepts and techniques that are relevant in the context of the MPEG video-compression standards and outline MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 video-coding algorithms. The specific properties of the standards related to their applications are presented, and the basic elements of the forthcoming MPEG-4 standard are also described. We also discuss the performance of the standards and their success in the market place.
Perception-Oriented Prominent Region Detection in Video Sequences (2005)

Effective and efficient representation of video sequences is an important yet challenging task for video retrieval and browsing. In this paper, we propose a new approach for the prominent region detection from the viewpoint of the human perception intending to construct a good pattern for content representation of the video sequences. Firstly, we partition each frame into homogeneous regions using a technique based on a non-parameter clustering algorithm. Then, in order to automatically determine the prominent importance of the different homogenous regions in a frame, we extract a number of different mise-en-scene-based perceptual features which influence human visual attention. Finally, a modified Fuzzy Inference Neural Networks is used to detect prominent regions in video sequence due to its simple structure and superior performance for automatic fuzzy rules extraction. The extracted prominent regions could be used as a good pattern to bridge semantic gap between low-level features and semantic understanding. Experimental results show the excellent performance of the approach. Povzetek: Predstavljen je nov postopek za zaznavanje regij. 1
Mutant Presenilin-1 Induces Apoptosis and Downregulates Akt/PKB (1999)

Most early onset cases of familial Alzheimer's disease (AD) are caused by mutations in presenilin-1 (PS1) and presenilin-2 (PS2). These mutations lead to increased beta-amyloid formation and may induce apoptosis in some model systems. Using primary cultured hippocampal neurons (HNs) and rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells transiently transfected with replication-defective recombinant adenoviral vectors expressing wild-type or mutant PS1, we demonstrate that mutant PS1s induce apoptosis, downregulate the survival factor Akt/PKB, and affect several Akt/PKB downstream targets, including glycogen synthase kinase-3beta and beta-catenin. Expression of a constitutively active Akt/PKB rescues HNs from mutant PS1-induced neuronal cell death, suggesting a potential therapeutic target for AD. Downregulation of Akt/PKB may be a mechanism by which mutant PS1 induces apoptosis and may play a role in the pathogenesis of familial AD.
Delayed administration of dapsone protects from tissue damage and improves recovery after spinal cord injury (2011)

After spinal cord injury (SCI), a complex cascade of pathophysiological processes increases the primary damage. The inflammatory response plays a key role in this pathology. Recent evidence suggests that myeloperoxidase (MPO), an enzyme produced and released by neutrophils, is of special importance in spreading tissue damage. Dapsone (4,4'-diaminodiphenylsulfone) is an irreversible inhibitor of MPO. Recently, we demonstrated, in a model of brain ischemia/reperfusion, that dapsone has antioxidant, antiinflammatory, and antiapoptotic effects. The effects of dapsone on MPO activity, lipid peroxidation (LP) processes, motor function recovery, and the amount of spared tissue were evaluated in a rat model of SCI. MPO activity had increased 24.5-fold 24 hr after SCI vs. the sham group, and it had diminished by 38% and 19% in the groups treated with dapsone at 3 and 5 hr after SCI, respectively. SCI increased LP by 45%, and this increase was blocked by dapsone. In rats treated with dapsone, a significant motor function recovery (Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan score, BBB) was observed beginning during the first week of evaluation and continuing until the end of the study. Spontaneous recovery 8 weeks after SCI was 9.2 ± 1.12, whereas, in the dapsone-treated groups, it reached 13.6 ± 1.04 and 12.9 ± 1.17. Spared tissue increased by 42% and 33% in the dapsone-treated groups (3 and 5 hr after SCI, respectively) vs. SCI without treatment. Dapsone significantly prevented mortality. The results show that inhibition of MPO by dapsone significantly protected the spinal cord from tissue damage and enhanced motor recovery after SCI.
Brodalumab, an Anti–Interleukin-17–Receptor Antibody for Psoriasis (2012)

Brodalumab significantly improved plaque psoriasis in this 12-week, phase 2 study. (Funded by Amgen; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00975637.).
Metabolic Engineering of the Phenylpropanoid Pathway in Saccharomyces cerevisiae (2005)

Flavonoids are valuable natural products derived from the phenylpropanoid pathway. The objective of this study was to create a host for the biosynthesis of naringenin, the central precursor of many flavonoids. This was accomplished by introducing the phenylpropanoid pathway with the genes for phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) from Rhodosporidium toruloides, 4-coumarate:coenzyme A (CoA) ligase (4CL) from Arabidopsis thaliana, and chalcone synthase (CHS) from Hypericum androsaemum into two Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains, namely, AH22 and a pad1 knockout mutant. Each gene was cloned and inserted into an expression vector under the control of a separate individual GAL10 promoter. Besides its PAL activity, the recombinant PAL enzyme showed tyrosine ammonia lyase activity, which enabled the biosynthesis of naringenin without introducing cinnamate 4-hydroxylase (C4H). 4CL catalyzed the conversion of both trans-cinnamic acid and p-coumaric acid to their corresponding CoA products, which were further converted to pinocembrin chalcone and naringenin chalcone by CHS. These chalcones were cyclized to pinocembrin and naringenin. The yeast AH22 strain coexpressing PAL, 4CL, and CHS produced approximately 7 mg liter(-1) of naringenin and 0.8 mg liter(-1) of pinocembrin. Several by-products, such as 2',4',6'-trihydroxydihydrochalcone and phloretin, were also identified. Precursor feeding studies indicated that metabolic flux to the engineered flavonoid pathway was limited by the flux to the precursor l-tyrosine.
Nanodispersed powders: Synthesis methods and practical applications (2009)

A comparative analysis of the methods and technologies used to produce nanopowders is performed. The fundamentals of both the traditional technology for chemically synthesizing inorganic nanocrystalline particles of metal oxides by the crystallization of precursors (amorphous metal hydroxides obtained by chemical coprecipitation from salts) and the most promising methods for producing nanopowders and materials on their basis (including the dispersion of monodisperse flows of liquids and solutions in an electrical field and a plasma technology that involves electrical arc recondensation of substances) are considered. The studies performed at the State Research Institute of Organoelemental Compound Chemistry and Technology (SRIOCCT) are taken as examples to describe methods for the recondensation of coarse powders of silicon, silicon carbide, and aluminum oxide in low-temperature argon plasma. The most efficient regimes of the process, difficulties, and unresolved problems are analyzed. Results of the physicochemical investigations and tests of the synthesized pilot samples are described.
Contemporary families, caring and time: understanding the "family time economy" (2007)

Time is critical for paid work and family life. In this paper we examine the available evidence on changing family and work patterns and argue that the relationship between decisions about work and care, gender expectations around care and the effects of family policy need to be analysed with attention to available family time so that the time costs and burdens of work and care decisions can be more fully understood. We suggest that framing this analysis in terms of a family time economy will provide important insights into how families are negotiating the increasing paid employment of women while continuing to provide care for children, especially when time changes in social care structures like school and childcare, and men’s unpaid care are very limited. 1
Cotinine: A Potential New Therapeutic Agent against Alzheimer's disease (2012)

Tobacco smoking has been correlated with a lower incidence of Alzheimer's disease (AD). This negative correlation has been attributed to nicotine's properties. However, the undesired side-effects of nicotine and the absence of clear evidence of positive effects of this drug on the cognitive abilities of AD patients have decreased the enthusiasm for its therapeutic use. In this review, we discuss evidence showing that cotinine, the main metabolite of nicotine, has many of the beneficial effects but none of the negative side-effects of its precursor. Cotinine has been shown to be neuroprotective, to improve memory in primates as well as to prevent memory loss, and to lower amyloid-beta (Aβ)) burden in AD mice. In AD, cotinine's positive effect on memory is associated with the inhibition of Aβ aggregation, the stimulation of pro-survival factors such as Akt, and the inhibition of pro-apoptotic factors such as glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK3β). Because stimulation of the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (α7nAChRs) positively modulates these factors and memory, the involvement of these receptors in cotinine's effects are discussed. Because of its beneficial effects on brain function, good safety profile, and nonaddictive properties, cotinine may represent a new therapeutic agent against AD.
Some Marine Ecological Phenomena: Chemical Basis and Biomedical Potential (1990)

Analysis of secondary metabolites derived from marine organisms has revealed a broad spectrum of novel molecular architecture. The function of these compounds in their natural habitat is linked to various aspects of species survival, and the compounds have also served as characteristic chemical markers through successive trophic levels. Fundamental questions concerning the locus of synthesis in complex and intricate assemblies of plants and animals and the pathways of biosynthesis are beginning to be answered. It is now apparent that the marine environment gives rise to some distinctive chemistry, which is generated along characteristic pathways. Some of the newly described compounds have already become valuable tools in biomedicine.
Crystal Structure of Human RhoA in a Dominantly Active Form Complexed with a GTP Analogue (1998)

The 2.4-A resolution crystal structure of a dominantly active form of the small guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase) RhoA, RhoAV14, complexed with the nonhydrolyzable GTP analogue, guanosine 5'-3-O-(thio)triphosphate (GTPgammaS), reveals a fold similar to RhoA-GDP, which has been recently reported (Wei, Y., Zhang, Y., Derewenda, U., Liu, X., Minor, W., Nakamoto, R. K., Somlyo, A. V., Somlyo, A. P., and Derewenda, Z. S. (1997) Nat. Struct. Biol. 4, 699-703), but shows large conformational differences localized in switch I and switch II. These changes produce hydrophobic patches on the molecular surface of switch I, which has been suggested to be involved in its effector binding. Compared with H-Ras and other GTPases bound to GTP or GTP analogues, the significant conformational differences are located in regions involving switches I and II and part of the antiparallel beta-sheet between switches I and II. Key residues that produce these conformational differences were identified. In addition to these differences, RhoA contains four insertion or deletion sites with an extra helical subdomain that seems to be characteristic of members of the Rho family, including Rac1, but with several variations in details. These sites also display large displacements from those of H-Ras. The ADP-ribosylation residue, Asn41, by C3-like exoenzymes stacks on the indole ring of Trp58 with a hydrogen bond to the main chain of Glu40. The recognition of the guanosine moiety of GTPgammaS by the GTPase contains water-mediated hydrogen bonds, which seem to be common in the Rho family. These structural differences provide an insight into specific interaction sites with the effectors, as well as with modulators such as guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) and guanine nucleotide dissociation inhibitor (GDI).
Performance of TDMA system with SFH and 2-bit differentially detected GMSK over Rayleigh fading channel (2002)

We study the BER performance of a TDMA system mixed with slow frequency hopping code division multiple access (SFH/CDMA) which uses 2-bit differentially detected GMSK over a Rayleigh fading channel corrupted by AWGN. We can obtain the BER results using the characteristic function of demodulator's output, which has cochannel interference while a hop is being hit. The TDMA/SFH system in a 3M/L fractional reuse structure is considered and analyzed. A computer simulation is also implemented to show the validity of numerical analysis. We show that the TDMA system with frequency hopping has an improved performance compared to the conventional TDMA system without frequency hopping.
Reengineering orthogonally selective riboswitches (2010)

The ability to independently control the expression of multiple genes by addition of distinct small-molecule modulators has many applications from synthetic biology, functional genomics, pharmaceutical target validation, through to gene therapy. Riboswitches are relatively simple, small-molecule-dependent, protein-free, mRNA genetic switches that are attractive targets for reengineering in this context. Using a combination of chemical genetics and genetic selection, we have developed riboswitches that are selective for synthetic "nonnatural" small molecules and no longer respond to the natural intracellular ligands. The orthogonal selectivity of the riboswitches is also demonstrated in vitro using isothermal titration calorimetry and x-ray crystallography. The riboswitches allow highly responsive, dose-dependent, orthogonally selective, and dynamic control of gene expression in vivo. It is possible that this approach may be further developed to reengineer other natural riboswitches for application as small-molecule responsive genetic switches in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
For the Bright Future—Bulk Heterojunction Polymer Solar Cells with Power Conversion Efficiency of 7.4% (2010)

The photovoltaic performance of polymer bulk heterojunction solar cells is studied systematically. Using a new benzodithiophene polymer (PTB7) and PC71BM (see figure) a power conversion efficiency of 7.4% has been achieved in PTB7/PC71BM-blend film, indicating a great potential and bright future for polymer solar cells (FF = fill factor, PCE ;= power-conversion efficiency). 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.
FULL MONOSOMY 21, PRENATALLY DIAGNOSED BY FLUORESCENTIN SITU HYBRIDIZATION (1997)

We describe a case of full monosomy 21 which was prenatally diagnosed in chorionic villi by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). Because of intrauterine fetal death, a curettage was performed and cytogenetic analysis of skin fibroblasts confirmed the presence of monosomy 21 in fetal cells. DNA investigations showed a paternal origin of the single chromosome 21. Inspection and autopsy of the fetus revealed several congenital malformations. Some of them have been reported in earlier studies of monosomy 21; others concern new observations. Regarding the eye, the following abnormalities were microscopically observed: absence of the anterior and posterior eye chambers, aniridy, a hypoplastic ciliary body, Peter's anomaly, and a double retina with secondary dysplasia. In addition, malformations of the extremities were seen: partial, proximal syndactyly of digits 3 and 4 of the right hand; pes varus position of the right foot; and transverse reduction defect at the tarsals of the left foot. To our knowledge, this is the first case in which full monosomy 21 has been proven.
Prodrug bioactivation and oncolysis of diffuse liver metastases by a herpes simplex virus 1 mutant that expresses the CYP2B1 transgene (2002)

The rRp450 mutant HSV-1 is highly oncolytic against colon carcinoma cells both in vitro and in vivo. rRp450 displays preferential replication in colon carcinoma cells compared to normal hepatocytes. Activation of cyclophosphamide by the p450 transgene augmented the anti-neoplastic effects of rRp450 without simultaneously decreasing viral replication. Oncolysis induced by HSV-1 replication combined with cyclophosphamide prodrug activation warrants further investigation as a potential therapy for colon carcinoma liver metastases.
Requirements for Science Data Bases and SciDB (2009)

For the past year, we have been assembling requirements from a collection of scientific data base users from astronomy, particle physics, fusion, remote sensing, oceanography, and biology. The intent has been to specify a common set of requirements for a new science data base system, which we call SciDB. In addition, we have discovered that very complex business analytics share most of the same requirements as “big science”. We have also constructed a partnership of companies to fund the development of SciDB, including eBay, the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST), Microsoft, the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC) and Vertica. Lastly, we have identified two “lighthouse customers” (LSST and eBay) who will run the initial system, once it is constructed. In this paper, we report on the requirements we have identified and briefly sketch some of the SciDB design.
Green tea polyphenol (–)‐epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate induces neurorescue of long‐term serum‐deprived PC12 cells and promotes neurite outgrowth (2005)

Our previous studies have shown that the green tea polyphenol (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) prevents neuronal cell death caused by several neurotoxins. The present study sought to determine the neuroprotective effect of EGCG when it is administered after the induction of cell damage ('neurorescue'). In an attempt to imitate a progressive mode of death, PC12 cells were initially subjected to serum-starvation conditions for a period of 1 or 3 days before administration of EGCG (0.1-10 microM) for up to 3 days. In spite of the high percentage of cell death, single or repetitive administration of EGCG (1 microM) significantly attenuated cell death. The neurorescue effect of EGCG was abolished by pre-treatment with the protein kinase C inhibitor GF109203X (2.5 microM), suggesting the involvement of the protein kinase C pathway in neurorescue by the drug. This is consistent with the rapid (15 min) translocation of the protein kinase C alpha isoform to the cell membrane in response to EGCG. The correlative neurite outgrowth activity of EGCG on PC12 cells may also contribute to its neurorescue effect. The present findings suggest that EGCG may have a positive impact on aging and neurodegenerative diseases to retard or perhaps even reverse the accelerated rate of neuronal degeneration.
Inhibiting the Mitochondrial Fission Machinery Does Not Prevent Bax/Bak-Dependent Apoptosis (2006)

Apoptosis, induced by a number of death stimuli, is associated with a fragmentation of the mitochondrial network. These morphological changes in mitochondria have been shown to require proteins, such as Drp1 or hFis1, which are involved in regulating the fission of mitochondria. However, the precise role of mitochondrial fission during apoptosis remains elusive. Here we report that inhibiting the fission machinery in Bax/Bak-mediated apoptosis, by down-regulating of Drp1 or hFis1, prevents the fragmentation of the mitochondrial network and partially inhibits the release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria but fails to block the efflux of Smac/DIABLO. In addition, preventing mitochondrial fragmentation does not inhibit cell death induced by Bax/Bak-dependent death stimuli, in contrast to the effects of Bcl-xL or caspase inhibition. Therefore, the fission of mitochondria is a dispensable event in Bax/Bak-dependent apoptosis.
THE EFFECT OF DIETARY SODIUM IN INFANCY ON BLOOD PRESSURE AND RELATED FACTORS: Studies of Infants Fed Salted and Unsalted Diets for Five Months at Eight Months and Eight Years of Age (1980)

The results of animal and epidemiological studies suggest commercially salted infant foods may predipose infants to hypertension. Testing this hypothesis, two groups of black male infants were fed identical foods with and without added salts for 5 months starting at 3 months of age. These diets, which provided 1.93+/-0.10 and 9.25+/-0.05 mEq Na/100 kcal, did not result in a significant difference in blood pressure at 8 months or 8 years of age. Blood pressure was significantly correlated with weight factors, particularly at 8 years, but not with Na intake, Na or Na/K excretion or plasma renin at 8 months. Significantly increased sodium and potassium excretion was noted on the salted diet and significantly increased aldosterone excretion was noted on the unsalted diet. A 6% expansion in extra-cellular fluid volume for the high sodium group was statistically significant but was not correlated with blood pressure or urine volume and did not result in edema or increased weight. There was no indication that the salted foods imprinted a preference for salt at 8 years. It was concluded that a salt intake representing the 99th percentile of sodium intake by U.S. infants in 1969 had no hypertensive effect in infancy or at 8 years of age. Nor did it imprint a preference for salt at 8 years.