gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Vibration reduction in 0-g using input shaping on the MIT Middeck Active Control Experiment (2005)

The performance of many spacecraft can be improved by using closed-loop control and command-shaping techniques to reduce problematic vibration. However, due to uncertainties about the operation of controlled structures in zero-gravity, little information exists to give designers confidence in eventual on-orbit performance. The Middeck Active Control Experiment (MACE), scheduled for launch aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavor in March 1995, is designed to investigate these issues by collecting on-orbit data from a controlled flexible structure. In addition to providing a description of the MACE project, this paper presents 0-g predictions for some of the MACE command shaping experiments and describes how the anticipated mission results will be used to understand how to improve the performance of other space systems.
Chirped pulse amplification of 300 fs pulses in an alexandrite regenerative amplifier (1989)

The amplification of femtosecond dye laser pulses up to the 3.5-mJ level in an alexandrite regenerative amplifier is discussed. An expansion/compression system using diffraction gratings allows chirped amplification techniques to be used to produce peak powers upwards of 1 GW. Limitations in the chirped pulse amplification of ultrashort pulses due to intracavity dispersive elements are discussed.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">&gt;</ETX>
Targeting the HIV Trans‐Activation Responsive Region—Approaches Towards RNA‐Binding Drugs (2003)

Sticking to TAR: The development of RNA-binding drugs will open fascinating opportunities for modern pharmacology. Experience in how to find ligands for RNA targets, however, is still limited. Lessons learnt from well-characterized RNA–protein complexes such as tat/TAR, therefore, will significantly contribute to the future development of the field. TAR RNA, the trans-activation responsive region of HIV, and the tat protein form a molecular switch crucial for viral replication. Herein we review the state of research concerning TAR-binding molecules and the techniques used to study RNA–ligand association.
Antigen capture and major histocompatibility class II compartments of freshly isolated and cultured human blood dendritic cells. (1995)

Dendritic cells (DC) represent potent antigen-presenting cells for the induction of T cell-dependent immune responses. Previous work on antigen uptake and presentation by human DC is based largely on studies of blood DC that have been cultured for various periods of time before analysis. These cultured cells may therefore have undergone a maturation process from precursors that have different capacities for antigen capture and presentation. We have now used immunoelectron microscopy and antigen presentation assays to compare freshly isolated DC (f-DC) and cultured DC (c-DC). f-DC display a round appearance, whereas c-DC display characteristic long processes. c-DC express much more cell surface major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II than f-DC. The uptake of colloidal gold-labeled bovine serum albumin (BSA), however, is greater in f-DC, as is the presentation of 65-kD heat shock protein to T cell clones. The most striking discovery is that the majority of MHC class II molecules in both f-DC and c-DC occur in intracellular vacuoles with a complex shape (multivesicular and multilaminar). These MHC class II enriched compartments (MIIC) represent the site to which BSA is transported within 30 min. Although MIIC appear as more dense structures with less MHC class II molecules in f-DC than c-DC, the marker characteristics are very similar. The MIIC in both types of DC are acidic, contain invariant chain, and express the recently described HLA-DM molecule that can contribute to antigen presentation. CD19+ peripheral blood B cells have fewer MIIC and surface MHC class II expression than DCs, while monocytes had low levels of MIIC and surface MHC class II. These results demonstrate in dendritic cells the elaborate development of MIIC expressing several of the components that are required for efficient antigen presentation.
Creating Effective Refractive Index Gradients within Polyelectrolyte Multilayer Films:  Molecularly Assembled Rugate Filters (2004)

We demonstrate the use of aqueous-based layer-by-layer (LbL) processing and in situ nanoreactor chemistry for creating polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) nanocomposites in which the concentration of a nanoparticle species is modulated throughout the depth of the film in a complex way. Using the in situ growth of silver nanoparticles to selectively increase the refractive index of precisely defined regions of the PEM film, we have produced a digitized rugate filter, a special type of dielectric mirror possessing many thin layers that approximate a continuous, periodic refractive index profile. The design of the digital rugate from an initial smooth index profile was aided by a computer, and construction of the device was accomplished entirely by automated means. Poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) bilayer regions within the film supported subsequent nanoreactor chemistry and created the high refractive index regions of the film, while PAH and poly(styrenesulfonate) (PSS) bilayer regions remained unmodified and served as the low index regions. Spectroscopic results obtained from the assembled device confirm the presence of a reflection band that grows in amplitude with increasing silver incorporation, reaching a peak reflectance of 75% after five silver loading and exchange cycles. The rugate structure suppresses reflection sidebands, features common to Bragg reflectors and simpler dielectric mirror designs. Cross-sectional TEM reveals nanoscale control of the size and location of silver-containing domains within the PEM film. The ability of this method to control the placement of nanoparticles within PEMs enables the inexpensive, easy production of conformable optical coatings with tunable properties. In addition, these nanocomposite films may have applications in a number of other fields where precise control of effective gradients in physical properties throughout thin films has been shown to affect the overall performance in a desirable way.
Enhanced local intracoronary delivery of heparin with the Infiltrator catheter: a comparative study. (1999)

The efficacy of local drug delivery in the treatment of coronary artery disease is limited by the relatively low delivery efficiency of the available devices. A unique local drug delivery device, the Infiltrator catheter (InterVentional Technologies, Inc.), has been designed specifically to enhance efficiency by injecting drugs directly into the arterial wall through microports mounted on the balloon surface. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficiency of delivery of this device in the porcine coronary model and to compare it to a previously validated device, the hydrogel balloon (Boston Scientific, Maple Grove, Minnesota). Studies were also performed to assess the pattern of intramural heparin deposition following delivery with the Infiltrator catheter and to assess the effect of the microports on vascular integrity. The efficiency of delivery was significantly greater with the Infiltrator catheter than with the hydrogel balloon (4.5% vs. 0.08%; p = 0.02). Similarly, the absolute amount of intramurally deposited heparin was greater with the Infiltrator (111.3 +/- 38.5 units vs. 2.4 +/- 0.85 units; p = 0.02) despite the fact that more heparin was delivered with the hydrogel catheter. Histologic studies revealed characteristic discrete puncture channels in the vessel wall due to penetration of the microports. Other than this histologic finding, there was no significant difference in the extent of architectural disruption between the Infiltrator and conventional balloon inflations. Fluorescein-labeled heparin studies revealed heparin to be diffusely distributed throughout the vessel wall immediately following delivery with the Infiltrator. We conclude that the Infiltrator catheterOs unique mechanism of delivery improves the efficiency of local drug delivery without excessive vessel wall trauma.
Dnmt3a and Dnmt3b Are Transcriptional Repressors That Exhibit Unique Localization Properties to Heterochromatin (2001)

We demonstrate that the recently identified DNA methyltransferases, Dnmt3a and Dnmt3b, like DNMT1, repress transcription in a methylation-independent manner. Dnmt3a and Dnmt3b repress transcription primarily through a plant homeodomain-like motif that is shared with the ATRX protein but is not present in DNMT1. Unlike DNMT1, which localizes to replication foci during S-phase in murine embryonic fibroblasts, Dnmt3a co-localizes with heterochromatin protein 1 alpha (HP1 alpha) and methyl-CpG binding proteins throughout the cell cycle to late-replicating pericentromeric heterochromatin. In contrast to Dnmt3a, Dnmt3b remained diffuse in the nucleus of embryonic fibroblasts at all cell cycle stages. However, Dnmt3a and Dnmt3b co-localize to these pericentromeric heterochromatin regions in murine embryonic stem cells. This finding is important to the fact that mutations in DNMT3B are found in the developmental syndrome, ICF (immunodeficiency, centromeric heterochromatin instability, and facial anomalies), which involves extensive loss of methylation from pericentromeric regions. The localization of Dnmt3a and Dnmt3b was unaffected in Dnmt1 null embryonic stem cells, which lose the majority of methylation at pericentromeric major satellite repeats, suggesting that these enzymes are not dependent upon preexisting methylation for their targeting. DNMT1 is then positioned to reestablish transcriptionally repressive chromatin as cells replicate, while Dnmt3a and Dnmt3b may help to establish such chromatin in late S-phase and maintain this repressive heterochromatin throughout the cell cycle in a developmentally and/or cell type manner.
Ornithine decarboxylase (Odc)-1 gene polymorphism effects on baseline tissue polyamine levels and adenoma recurrence in a randomized phase III adenoma prevention trial of DFMO + sulindac versus placebo (2008)

1502 Background: The Odc G315A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) affects Odc transcription and favorably modifies aspirin's effect on colorectal adenoma risk. Treatment with the polyamine-inhibitory regimen difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) and sulindac has been shown to markedly decrease adenoma recurrence compared to placebo. Here we investigate modifying effects of the Odc G315A SNP on baseline tissue polyamine content and polyp recurrence after treatment with DFMO + sulindac or placebo. Methods: Data from the randomized phase III DFMO (500mg daily) + sulindac (150mg daily) colorectal adenoma prevention trial were analyzed. Odc genotyping was performed on patient-derived genomic DNA samples using allele-specific TaqMan probes. Baseline rectal tissue polyamine content was determined via HPLC. Clinicopathologic data were compared after stratification by genotype. Fisher's exact test or χ2 tests for independence were used for comparisons of categorical variables. Two-tailed t-tests or Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric analysis of variance were used for numerical comparisons between groups. Results: Data were available for 122 of 375 study patients. Odc genotype distribution was 54% GG, 5% AA, 41% GA. Patients with any Odc A- allele (AA/GA) were similar in age, gender, race, and prior aspirin use across treatment arms, as were Odc GG patients. Odc GG vs AA/GA patients had significantly higher median baseline rectal tissue putrescine (0.52 vs 0.31 nmol/mg protein, P=0.046) and spermidine (2.10 vs 1.65 nmol/mg protein, P=0.011) content. Among Odc AA/GA patients, 7/26 patients (27%) had recurrent adenoma in the DFMO + sulindac arm vs 14/30 patients (47%) in the placebo arm (P=0.13, absolute risk difference=20%). Among Odc GG patients, 6/39 patients (15%) had recurrent adenoma in the DFMO + sulindac arm compared with 14/27 (52%) placebo patients (P=0.002, absolute risk difference=37%). Conclusions: DFMO + sulindac treatment lowers the incidence of recurrent adenomata among adenoma patients, with pronounced effects observed among Odc homozygous GG patients. This may be related to baseline tissue polyamine differences across these genetically-defined groups. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Applications of Photoinitiators to the Design of Resists for Semiconductor Manufacturing (1984)

Acids generated via radiolysis of cationic photoinitiators, such as aryldiazonium, diaryliodonium, and triarylsulfonium metal halides can induce a variety of chain reactions in polymers, including (1) cross-linking, (2) catalytic deprotection, and (3) catalytic depolymerization. All of these reactions can be exploited in the design of resist materials. When formulated with the onium salt photoinitiators, (1) epoxy resins undergo efficient cross-linking reactions to provide negative tone resists; (2) poly(p-t-butoxy carbonyloxystyrene) is converted to poly(p-hydroxystyrene) in the exposed areas to provide either a positive or negative resist tone depending on the developer employed; and (3) polyaldehydes are completely reverted to monomer upon exposure and vaporize during the exposure to provide self-developing positive resists. The extremely high sensitivity of these systems is achieved through chemical amplification.
Effect of ciprofloxacin and N-acetylcysteine on bacterial adherence and biofilm formation on ureteral stent surfaces. (2009)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of ciprofloxacin (CIP), N-acetylcysteine (NAC) alone and in combination on biofilm production and pre-formed mature biofilms on ureteral stent surfaces. Two strains each of Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, Klebseilla pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus vulgaris, recently isolated from patients undergoing ureteral stent removal and shown to be capable of biofilm production, were used in this study. The inhibitory effects of ciprofloxacin, N-acetylcysteine and ciprofloxacin/N-acetylcysteine combination were determined by static adherence assay. Ciprofloxacin (MIC and 2 MIC) and N-acetylcysteine (2 and 4 mg/ml) inhibited biofilm production by > or = 60% in all tested microorganisms. Disruption of pre-formed biofilms of all tested microorganisms was found to be > or = 78% in the presence of ciprofloxacin (MIC and 2 MIC) and > or = 62% in the presence of N-acetylcysteine (2 and 4 mg/ml), compared to controls. Ciprofloxacin/N-acetylcysteine showed the highest inhibitory effect on biofilm production (94-100%) and the highest disruptive effect on the pre-formed biofilms (86-100%) in comparison to controls. N-acetylcysteine was found to increase the therapeutic efficacy of ciprofloxacin by degrading the extracellular polysaccharide matrix of biofilms. These data are statistically significant. The inhibitory effects of ciprofloxacin and N-acetylcysteine on biofilm production were also verified by scanning electron microscope (SEM). In conclusion, Ciprofloxacin/N-acetylcysteine combinations have the highest inhibitory effect on biofilm production and the highest ability to eradicate pre-formed mature biofilms.
Expanded Territories of "Literacy": New Literacies and Multiliteracies. (2017)

Facing the radical change in society in the 21st century, the conventional view of literacy and literacy education may no longer satisfy students’ needs in working and social lives, especially beyond classroom settings. Therefore, expanded territories of literacy have been proposed to better support teachers’ and students’ literacy education and practices. This paper conceptualized two expanded perspectives of literacy that are important and useful to understand literacy and literacy education in the modern society, which provide theories and frameworks for scholars, educators, and practitioners in the field of education. Keywords: literacy, New Literacies, Multiliteracies
Tissue-Specific Segregation of CD1d-Dependent and CD1d-Independent NK T Cells (1999)

NKT cells, defined as T cells expressing the NK cell marker NK1.1, are involved in tumor rejection and regulation of autoimmunity via the production of cytokines. We show in this study that two types of NKT cells can be defined on the basis of their reactivity to the monomorphic MHC class I-like molecule CD1d. One type of NKT cell is positively selected by CD1d and expresses a biased TCR repertoire together with a phenotype found on activated T cells. A second type of NKT cell, in contrast, develops in the absence of CD1d, and expresses a diverse TCR repertoire and a phenotype found on naive T cells and NK cells. Importantly, the two types of NKT cells segregate in distinct tissues. Whereas thymus and liver contain primarily CD1d-dependent NKT cells, spleen and bone marrow are enriched in CD1d-independent NKT cells. Collectively, our data suggest that recognition of tissue-specific ligands by the TCR controls localization and activation of NKT cells.
Glycine68 to Histidine73 has an important role in the function of human tumor necrosis factor alpha (1997)

Mutant human tumor necrosis factor alpha(hTNF alpha) genes have been constructed by in vitro mutagenesis and expressed in Escherichia coli. A deletion involving Gly68 to His73 in hTNF alpha remarkably decreased the solubility and biological activity of hTNF alpha. From the above and results of a molecular dynamics simulation it is proposed that the region of Gly68 to His73 in hTNF alpha has an important role in the maintenance of the 3-D structure and modulation of the biological activity of hTNF alpha.
BACE knockout mice are healthy despite lacking the primary beta-secretase activity in brain: implications for Alzheimer's disease therapeutics (2001)

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by accumulation of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain. The major components of plaque, beta-amyloid peptides (Abetas), are produced from amyloid precursor protein (APP) by the activity of beta- and gamma-secretases. beta-secretase activity cleaves APP to define the N-terminus of the Abeta1-x peptides and, therefore, has been a long- sought therapeutic target for treatment of AD. The gene encoding a beta-secretase for beta-site APP cleaving enzyme (BACE) was identified recently. However, it was not known whether BACE was the primary beta-secretase in mammalian brain nor whether inhibition of beta-secretase might have effects in mammals that would preclude its utility as a therapeutic target. In the work described herein, we generated two lines of BACE knockout mice and characterized them for pathology, beta-secretase activity and Abeta production. These mice appeared to develop normally and showed no consistent phenotypic differences from their wild-type littermates, including overall normal tissue morphology and brain histochemistry, normal blood and urine chemistries, normal blood-cell composition, and no overt behavioral and neuromuscular effects. Brain and primary cortical cultures from BACE knockout mice showed no detectable beta-secretase activity, and primary cortical cultures from BACE knockout mice produced much less Abeta from APP. The findings that BACE is the primary beta-secretase activity in brain and that loss of beta-secretase activity produces no profound phenotypic defects with a concomitant reduction in beta-amyloid peptide clearly indicate that BACE is an excellent therapeutic target for treatment of AD.
A shell program for the design of PCR primers using genetics computer group (GCG) software (7.1) on VAX/VMS systems. (1992)

A number of software analysis packages for the design of PCR primers are available for PCs; however, software for users that depend on VAX/VMS operating systems is not available. By treating oligonucleotides as RNA molecules, I have designed an alternative means toward studying oligonucleotide interactions using software that is currently available from The Genetics Computer Group (GCG, Madison, WI). The oligonucleotide interactions with self and non-self are analyzed by the GCG FOLD program, a program which finds a secondary structure of minimum free energy for an RNA molecule. This approach allows the identification of self-priming primer pairs, and the interaction energies provide a guideline for the prediction of optimal PCR primers.
Vascularized Patellar Tendon Graft with Rigid Internal Fixation for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Insufficiency (1983)

After diagnosing the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture by manual and arthroscopic examination with the patient under anesthesia, the decision to augment or substitute depends on the patient's requirements. In a community of athletically motivated patients, a method of strong, durable stabilization is achieved using a pedicled patellar tendon graft with a 90 degrees twist and bone-to-bone fixation. The intercondylar notch is surgically enlarged; holes are drilled from without into the tibia and femur, the graft is harvested with bone plugs at each end, pulled into place, and transfixed with screws. Knee function is tested before closure. After operation, the emphasis is on joint ranging exercises. Quadriceps exercises are not initiated until three months after operation. Participation in a sport is not advised for approximately one year. The patellar tendon graft has all of the advantages of an autologous tissue, either for augmentation or substitution of the ACL. It has strength, durability, and elasticity; it can be transplanted with bone plugs; with the infrapatellar fat pad preserved, it retains its paratendinous vascularity. The method has been employed for five years. No graft failures have occurred, and no patient has reinjured the reconstructed ligament. Not one patient has had to give up the sport that caused the injury due to recurrent instability.
Temporary Polysaccharide Dermal Fillers: A Model for Persistence Based on Physical Properties (2009)

The work described here has shown that a model relating the concentration of the polysaccharide and the tan delta of the formulation can predict the comparative clinical persistence of XLHA and CMC/PEO dermal fillers.