gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Challenges and opportunities of a trans-canadian grid (2012)

The paper reports on the potential challenges and opportunities of an electric power trans-Canadian grid (TCG). The report, which is the first stage of a broad research project on the TCG, identifies and examines the main issues from a qualitative view point and sets the stage for further quantitative analysis. The paper evaluates the competitive advantage of a TCG to meet established planning and operation norms such as cost and reliability as well as more topical criteria related to emissions control as a result of concerns over climate change. The proposed TCG would interconnect the provincial grids more tightly through one or a combination of possible topologies elaborated upon in the paper. The possible advantages of such a project are discussed in detail as are the expected barriers.
Analysis of multicasting in photonic transport networks (1996)

The introduction of multicasting in optical transport networks is analysed and discussed. Three different optical path realisation techniques, involving the multicasting function, are examined: the Multicast Wavelength Path (MWP), the Multicast Virtual Wavelength Path (MVWP) and the Partial Multicast Virtual Wavelength Path (PVWP). A performance evaluation model is reported and results of the performance analysis are discussed. In addition several optical cross-connect architectures, allowing multicasting to be achieved, are investigated and compared. Three different types of optical switches are considered: space division, delivery and coupling, and wavelength switches. Crucial aspects as the modularity, the complexity, the costs and some transmission aspects are taken into account in the analysis.
The Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Outbreak on Primary Sjögren's Syndrome: An Italian Experience (2020)

<b>Objective:</b> Since no data is available about the personal experience of people with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) with regard to disease burden and management during the novel Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV)-2 outbreak, we aimed to explore these aspects with the ultimate goal to identify unmet needs and priorities. <b>Methods:</b> A telephone consultation was scheduled with patients with pSS and information regarding the disease status, ongoing treatment and symptoms/diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) were collected. Clinical records were retrospectively evaluated to gather pre-COVID-19 information. <b>Results:</b> One hundred and two patients with pSS were contacted. Most rheumatology consultations and other pSS-related tests were canceled during the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak. Less than 30% of patients contacted the rheumatologist via telemedicine despite experiencing disease flares or therapy shortage. Disease activity and patient reported symptoms significantly worsened during the closure period. All patients practiced social distancing, most of those employed switched to smart working and different work settings impacted on the type of symptom worsening. <b>Conclusion:</b> This is the first study addressing the personal experience of pSS patients resulting from the impact of the SARS-CoV2 outbreak and it identifies unmet needs and priorities requiring to be addressed. Our findings may help designing individualized strategies.
Antifungal peptides: potential candidates for the treatment of fungal infections (2000)

Many diversely produced natural peptides, as well as those produced semisynthetically and synthetically, have been found to inhibit the growth or even be lethal to a wide range of fungi. Some of these have the potential to aid mankind in combating mycoses caused by emerging pathogens or as a result of the increasing number of antibiotic-resistant fungi. Antifungal peptides may also assist in non-medical fields such as agriculture. For example, introduction by transgenic research of antifungal peptides could improve crop production yields by increasing host resistance to fungal invasion. The aim of this review is to provide information on research on these important peptides.
Modeling the Uncertainty in Inverse Radiometric Calibration (2011)

While the color image formats used by modern cameras provide visually pleasing images, they distort and discard a significant amount of signal that is useful for many applications. Existing methods for modeling physical world properties based on such narrow-gamut images use a deterministic, per-channel, one-to-one mapping to get back to wide-gamut physical scene colors, ignoring the uncertainty inherent in the process. Rather than fit a deterministic parametric model, we show that non-parametric Bayesian regression techniques, e.g. Gaussian Processes (GP), are well-suited to model this de-rendering process, and accurately capture the uncertainty in the transformation. We propose a probabilistic approach that outputs, for each low-gamut image color, a distribution over the wide-gamut scene colors that could have created it. Using a variety of different consumer camera models, we show that effective distributions can be learned by online local Gaussian process regression. Such distributions can be used to hallucinate estimates of RAW values corresponding to JPEG samples, creating “out-of-gamut” images, and also to improve robustness in related applications, e.g., when recovering three-dimensional shape via photometric stereo.
4D-CT imaging of a volume influenced by respiratory motion on multi-slice CT (2004)

We propose a new scanning protocol for generating 4D-CT image data sets influenced by respiratory motion. A cine scanning protocol is used during data acquisition, and two registration methods are used to sort images into temporal phases. A volume is imaged in multiple acquisitions of 1 or 2 cm length along the cranial-caudal direction. In each acquisition, the scans are continuously acquired for a time interval greater than or equal to the average respiratory cycle plus the duration of the data for an image reconstruction. The x ray is turned off during CT table translation and the acquisition is repeated until the prescribed volume is completely scanned. The scanning for 20 cm coverage takes about 1 min with an eight-slice CT or 2 mins with a four-slice CT. After data acquisition, the CT data are registered into respiratory phases based on either an internal anatomical match or an external respiratory signal. The internal approach registers the data according to correlation of anatomy in the CT images between two adjacent locations in consecutive respiratory cycles. We have demonstrated the technique with ROIs placed in the region of diaphragm. The external approach registers the image data according to an externally recorded respiratory signal generated by the Real-Time Position Management (RPM) Respiratory Gating System (Varian Medical Systems, Palo Alto, CA). Compared with previously reported prospective or retrospective imaging of the respiratory motion with a single-slice or multi-slice CT, the 4D-CT method proposed here provides (1) a shorter scan time of three to six times faster than the single-slice CT with prospective gating; (2) a shorter scan time of two to four times improvement over a previously reported multi-slice CT implementation, and (3) images over all phases of a breathing cycle. We have applied the scanning and registration methods on phantom, animal and patients, and initial results suggest the applicability of both the scanning and the registration methods.
CB-004. TUMOR MIGRATION OF HUMAN GLIOBLASTOMA IS MODULATED BY THE MOLECULE CD90 (Thy-1) (2013)

The molecule CD90 is a N-glycosylated, glycophosphatidylinositol anchored cell surface protein, originally described on thymocytes. CD90 has been considered as a surrogate marker for a variety of stem cells and has recently been reported on glioblastoma stem cells. CD90 is also expressed on T lymphocytes, endothelial cells, fibroblasts and neurons. The function of CD90 is not fully elucidated. CD90 has been involved in cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions, in neurite outgrowth, T cell activation and apoptosis. In this study, we confirmed the expression of CD90 on human glioblastoma stem-like cells from serum-free neurosphere cultures. We also observed RNA and protein CD90 expression on primary cell lines from FSC-containing culture (adherent cell lines) and on freshly prepared glioblastoma specimen. In order to study the function of CD90 on glioblastoma cells, we used a silencing strategy to decrease the expression of CD90 on the immortalized U251 cell line. We then compared the viability, the tumor growth and the migration property of the wild-type CD90+ U251 cells and CD90 down-regulated U251 clones. The decrease of CD90 expression did not affect the viability and the tumor growth of U251 cells. In contrast, down-regulation of CD90 mediated the decreased ability of tumor cell migration using both scratch wound healing and boyden chamber migration assays. Experiments are currently on going to test the effect of CD90 expression on tumorigenicity in mice models. In total, this study might lead to better understand the role of CD90 on the pathology in particular in term of tumor migration/invasion of human glioblastoma.
Leptin increases GABAergic synaptogenesis through the Rho guanine exchange factor β-PIX in developing hippocampal neurons (2021)

Developing hippocampal neurons undergo rapid synaptogenesis in response to neurotrophic signals to form and refine circuit connections. The adipokine leptin is a satiety factor with neurotrophic actions, which potentiates both glutamatergic and GABAergic synaptogenesis in the hippocampus during neonatal development. Brief exposure to leptin enhances GABA<sub>A</sub> receptor-dependent synaptic currents in hippocampal neurons. Here, using molecular and electrophysiological techniques, we found that leptin increased the surface localization of GABA<sub>A</sub> receptors and the number of functional GABAergic synapses in hippocampal cultures from male and female rat pups. Leptin increased the interaction between GABA<sub>A</sub> receptors and the Rho guanine exchange factor β-PIX (a scaffolding protein at GABAergic postsynaptic sites) in a manner dependent on the kinase CaMKK. We also found that the leptin receptor and β-PIX formed a complex, the amount of which transiently increased upon leptin receptor activation. Furthermore, Tyr<sup>985</sup> in the leptin receptor and the SH3 domain of β-PIX are crucial for this interaction, which was required for the developmental increase in GABAergic synaptogenesis. Our results suggest a mechanism by which leptin promotes GABAergic synaptogenesis in hippocampal neurons and reveal further complexity in leptin receptor signaling and its interactome.
The long‐term responses of the photosynthetic proton circuit to drought (2008)

Proton motive force (pmf) across thylakoid membranes is not only for harnessing solar energy for photosynthetic CO(2) fixation, but also for triggering feedback regulation of photosystem II antenna. The mechanisms for balancing these two roles of the proton circuit under the long-term environmental stress, such as prolonged drought, have been poorly understood. In this study, we report on the response of wild watermelon thylakoid 'proton circuit' to drought stress using both in vivo spectroscopy and molecular analyses of the representative photosynthetic components. Although drought stress led to enhanced proton flux via a approximately 34% increase in cyclic electron flow around photosystem I (PS I), an observed approximately fivefold decrease in proton conductivity, g(H)(+), across thylakoid membranes suggested that decreased ATP synthase activity was the major factor for sustaining elevated q(E). Western blotting analyses revealed that ATP synthase content decreased significantly, suggesting that quantitative control of the complex plays a pivotal role in down-regulation of g(H)(+). The expression level of cytochrome b(6)f complex - another key control point in photosynthesis - also declined, probably to prevent excess-reduction of PS I electron acceptors. We conclude that plant acclimation to long-term environmental stress involves global changes in the photosynthetic proton circuit, in which ATP synthase represents the key control point for regulating the relationship between electron transfer and pmf.
Torque, chemistry and efficiency in molecular motors: a study of the rotary–chemical coupling in F1-ATPase (2015)

Detailed understanding of the action of biological molecular machines must overcome the challenge of gaining a clear knowledge of the corresponding free-energy landscape. An example for this is the elucidation of the nature of converting chemical energy to torque and work in the rotary molecular motor of F1-ATPase. A major part of the challenge involves understanding the rotary-chemical coupling from a non-phenomenological structure/energy description. Here we focused on using a coarse-grained model of F1-ATPase to generate a structure-based free-energy landscape of the rotary-chemical process of the whole system. In particular, we concentrated on exploring the possible impact of the position of the catalytic dwell on the efficiency and torque generation of the molecular machine. It was found that the experimentally observed torque can be reproduced with landscapes that have different positions for the catalytic dwell on the rotary-chemical surface. Thus, although the catalysis is undeniably required for torque generation, the experimentally observed position of the catalytic dwell at 80° might not have a clear advantage for the force generation by F1-ATPase. This further implies that the rotary-chemical couplings in these biological motors are quite robust and their efficiencies do not depend explicitly on the position of the catalytic dwells. Rather, the specific positioning of the dwells with respect to the rotational angle is a characteristic arising due to the structural construct of the molecular machine and might not bear any clear connection to the thermodynamic efficiency for the system.
Antimicrobial biopolymer formation from sodium alginate and algae extract using aminoglycosides (2019)

Antimicrobial biopolymers provide a biodegradable, sustainable, safe, and cheap approach to drug delivery and wound dressing to control bacterial infection and improve wound healing respectively. Here, we report a one-step method of making antimicrobial alginate polymer from sodium alginate and aqueous extract of Wakame using antibiotic aminoglycosides. Thin layer chromatography of commercially available sodium alginate and Wakame extract showed similar oligosaccharide profiles. Screening of six aminoglycosides showed that kanamycin disulfate and neomycin sulfate produces the highest amount of biopolymer; however, kanamycin disulfate produces the most malleable and form fitting biopolymer. Image texture analysis of biopolymers showed similar quantification parameters for all the six aminoglycosides. Weight of alginate polymer as a function of aminoglycoside concentration follows a growth model of prion protein, consistent with the aggregating nature of both processes. Slow release of antibiotics and the resulting zone of inhibition against E. coli DH5α were observed by agar well diffusion assay. Inexpensive method of production and slow release of antibiotics will enable diverse applications of antimicrobial alginate biopolymer reported in this paper.
Silicon wafer-based tandem cells: The ultimate photovoltaic solution? (2014)

Recent large price reductions with wafer-based cells have increased the difficulty of dislodging silicon solar cell technology from its dominant market position. With market leaders expected to be manufacturing modules above 16% efficiency at $0.36/Watt by 2017, even the cost per unit area ($60-$70/m<sup>2</sup>) will be difficult for any thin-film photovoltaic technology to significantly undercut. This may make dislodgement likely only by appreciably higher energy conversion efficiency approaches. A silicon wafer-based cell able to capitalize on on-going cost reductions within the mainstream industry, but with an appreciably higher than present efficiency, might therefore provide the ultimate PV solution. With average selling prices of 156 mm quasi-square monocrystalline Si photovoltaic wafers recently approaching $1 (per wafer), wafers now provide clean, low cost templates for overgrowth of thin, wider bandgap high performance cells, nearly doubling silicon’s ultimate efficiency potential. The range of possible Si-based tandem approaches is reviewed together with recent results and ultimate prospects.
Real-time root cause analysis for complex technical systems (2007)

A fault in a complex technical system usually leads to a large number of consequential faults. In a modern control room, most variables are measured and monitored by an alarm. Therefore, a non-trivial fault usually leads to a large amount of triggered alarms, a so-called alarm cascade. Alarm cascades cause information overload and renders the alarm system useless during incidents. GoalArt has developed an algorithm that performs root-cause analysis on-line in real-time, as a fault situation develops. In this way, large alarm cascades can be reduced to a single initiating event. This is a revival for the alarm list, which becomes useful throughout complex fault situations. The algorithm has been proven in several industrial branches, such as conventional and nuclear power, electric power grids, and large control centers.
Potential role of Toll-like receptors in programming of vascular dysfunction (2013)

The developmental origins of the metabolic syndrome have been established through the consistent observation that small-for-gestational age and large-for-gestational age fetuses have an increased risk for hypertension and related metabolic disorders later in life. These phenotypes have been reproduced in various species subjected to a range of intrauterine insults and ongoing research is directed towards understanding the underlying molecular mechanisms. Current evidence suggests that the creation of a pro-inflammatory and pro-oxidant intrauterine milieu is a common thread among prenatal factors that have an impact upon fetal size. Furthermore, studies demonstrate that a shift in fetal redox status consequent to environmental cues persists after birth and drives the progression of vascular dysfunction and hypertension in postnatal life. TLR (Toll-like receptor) signalling has emerged as a key link between inflammation and oxidative stress and a pathogenic contributor to hypertension, insulin resistance and obesity, in both human patients and animal models of disease. Thus TLR activation and dysregulation of its signalling components represent potential molecular underpinnings of programmed hypertension and related disorders in those subjected to suboptimal intrauterine conditions, yet their contributions to developmental programming remain unexplored. We propose that danger signals mobilized by the placenta or fetal tissues during complicated pregnancy activate the fetal innate immune system through TLRs and thereby potentiate the generation of ROS (reactive oxygen species) and orchestrate fetal adaptive responses, including changes in gene expression, which later translate to vascular dysfunction. Furthermore, we suggest that, after birth, continual activation of TLR signalling propagates vascular oxidative stress and thereby accelerates the advancement of hypertension and heart failure.
Heuristic algorithms for configuration of the ATM-layer over optical networks (2002)

A general model and algorithms are presented for the optimal configuration of the ATM layer on top of mostly optical networks. The topology of the physical layer is assumed given with the predefined paths for each node-pair. The output is the size of required ATM switches, and the configuration of both, ATM and optical switches. The obtained result is optimal in the sense of reduced resource usage on ATM level, i.e., reduced electrical processing, subject to capacity and connectivity constraints. The results are derived for WDM networks and generalized for networks with optical cables where multiple fibers per cable are used (space division multiplexing). The idea of layered design is also introduced. Since the problem is discrete by nature with multiple local optima and constraints, non-deterministic constrained discrete global optimization algorithms are used. The running time and the probability of finding global optimum are compared for these algorithms.
Purification of a cellular, double-stranded DNA-binding protein required for initiation of adenovirus DNA replication by using a rapid filter-binding assay. (1986)

A rapid and quantitative nitrocellulose filter-binding assay is described for the detection of nuclear factor I, a HeLa cell sequence-specific DNA-binding protein required for the initiation of adenovirus DNA replication. In this assay, the abundant nonspecific DNA-binding activity present in unfractionated HeLa nuclear extracts was greatly reduced by preincubation of these extracts with a homopolymeric competitor DNA. Subsequently, specific DNA-binding activity was detected as the preferential retention of a labeled 48-base-pair DNA fragment containing a functional nuclear factor I binding site compared with a control DNA fragment to which nuclear factor I did not bind specifically. This specific DNA-binding activity was shown to be both quantitative and time dependent. Furthermore, the conditions of this assay allowed footprinting of nuclear factor I in unfractionated HeLa nuclear extracts and quantitative detection of the protein during purification. Using unfrozen HeLa cells and reagents known to limit endogenous proteolysis, nuclear factor I was purified to near homogeneity from HeLa nuclear extracts by a combination of standard chromatography and specific DNA affinity chromatography. Over a 400-fold purification of nuclear factor I, on the basis of the specific activity of both sequence-specific DNA binding and complementation of adenovirus DNA replication in vitro, was affected by this purification. The most highly purified fraction was greatly enriched for a polypeptide of 160 kilodaltons on silver-stained sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels. Furthermore, this protein cosedimented with specific DNA-binding activity on glycerol gradients. That this fraction indeed contained nuclear factor I was demonstrated by both DNase I footprinting and its function in the initiation of adenovirus DNA replication. Finally, the stoichiometry of specific DNA binding by nuclear factor I is shown to be most consistent with 2 mol of the 160-kilodalton polypeptide binding per mol of nuclear factor I-binding site.
Lattice-Reduction Aided Linear Equalization in Cyclic-Prefix System (2011)

Cyclic-prefix (CP) insertion in a single or multi-carrier system transforms the frequency-selective channel into a set of parallel flat channels, thus reducing the equalization complexity considerably. To harness the channel multipath diversity in this parallelized system the use of error control codes and/or linear precoding are proposed in the literature. A more recent result shows that maximum diversity can be achieved by lattice-reduction aided equalization together with precoded OFDM transmission. In this paper, we show that full diversity lattice-reduction is possible {\em without} requiring either precoding or error control codes. In earlier work it was shown that some cyclic-prefix systems have a diversity that is rate-dependent; we show that lattice-reduction diversity does not follow the same pattern of behavior. We also explore and expose important distinctions between diagonal and non-diagonal equalization for cyclic prefix systems.