gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
SU‐FF‐T‐477: Study On the Modeling of Digital Couch for Proton Treatment Planning System (2009)

Purpose: To evaluate the modeling of couch with a commercial proton treatment planning system (TPS, Eclipse, v8.12). Method and Materials: To keep the shape and dimensions of an actual proton treatment couch, it was scanned using CT scanner and inserted into the TPS system by replacing CT couch of all transverse CT slices. Results: The experimental data shows that the range of proton beam is shorten by 0.99 ± 0.01cm and spread‐out Bragg peak (SOBP) varies 0.10 ±0.09cm with insertion of proton couch when the beam direction is perpendicular to proton couch (0° in our configuration). While the average range shift in proton beam increases from 0.99cm to 1.70cm as the angle of the beam increases from 0° to 55°, there were no distinct SOBP changes with beam angle revealing less than 0.1cm variation. Our results suggest that the dosimetic factors such as range, profile, output factor remained almost same with the insertion of proton couch, whereas the beam range is largely dependent on both the insertion of couch and beam angle to couch. Using inserted CT scanned proton couch in TPS, the calculated and measured beam range was cross‐compared and the results show that the range of proton beam is shorten by ∼0.7cm in TPS, which shows ∼0.3cm difference with actual measurement. The difference between computed and measured range was compensated by assigning appropriate densities to the inserted proton couch, which is called digital couch. Measured and computed PDD with the digital couch show that the beam range and SOBP are well matched for various beam angles revealing the difference of 0.01±0.02cm and 0.12±0.03cm, respetively. Conclusion: These results suggest that the digital couch with relevant density assignment may be a good solution for proton couch modeling, which can be used for commercial proton TPS.
Enhanced in vitro lysis of human ovarian carcinomas with activated peripheral blood lymphocytes and bifunctional immune heteroaggregates. (1990)

Heteroaggregated monoclonal antibodies (HA) comprised of an anti-CD3 and an anti-tumor associated antigen (TAA) antibody were evaluated for their ability to lyse fresh human ovarian cancer cells. HAs were able to significantly enhance the in vitro lysis of fresh ovarian tumor cells by in vitro activated peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs). HAs did not increase tumor lysis using fresh PBLs or PBLs cultured overnight in vitro. HA efficacy required both anti-CD3 and anti-TAA antibodies to be present in the same molecule, implying that physical bridging between the effector and target cell by the HA may be a requirement for their activity in cell lysis. The presence of anti-CD3 antibody in the PBL cultures enhanced cell growth and did not block the efficacy of the anti-CD3 containing HAs. The frequent expression of multiple TAAs in human ovarian cancers and the ability to recruit cytotoxic T-cell activity with HAs in vitro give promise to the future of this form of immunotherapy in the clinical setting.
Steady-state free precession imaging in the presence of motion: application for improved visualization of the cerebrospinal fluid. (1990)

The authors discuss the appropriate FISP (fast imaging with steady-state precession) sequence structure to maintain constant phase at the radio-frequency pulse in the presence of motion. They present preliminary results of its application to head and spine imaging in an effort to maintain contrast between the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and the soft tissue. In the usual application of these FISP-like sequences, the gradient structure is modified to avoid unwanted signal (and contrast) variations due to field inhomogeneities. This change makes the signal sensitive to motion with a resulting decrease in signal intensity for moving tissue. The expected high contrast at large flip angles for tissues with low T1/T2 ratios such as CSF is not obtained. The technique discussed here overcomes the effects of field inhomogeneities and compensates for moving spins so that the transverse steady-state equilibrium and hence high contrast are obtained simultaneously.
Are the Antioxidant Properties of Carvedilol Important for the Protection of Cardiac Mitochondria? (2005)

The cellular role of mitochondria includes ATP generation and the modulation of cytosolic calcium signals, besides being the "crossroads" for several cell death pathways. The maintenance of optimal mitochondrial functioning during the disease process increases the chances for survival. For example, ischaemia followed by reperfusion is known to negatively affect mitochondrial function, namely by inducing a deleterious condition called mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT). The MPT is responsible for mitochondrial dysfunction and can ultimately lead to cell death. Therefore, it seems important to protect mitochondrial function in cardiac disease. Carvedilol, a beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist with antioxidant properties, has a positive impact on cardiac mitochondria during in vitro, ex-vivo and in vivo models of cardiac dysfunction. Particularly, carvedilol was shown to inhibit MPT in isolated heart mitochondria and protect mitochondria against the oxidative damage induced by the xanthine oxidase/hypoxanthine pro-oxidant system. The observation that carvedilol acts as an inhibitor of mitochondrial complex-I is also of importance, since this mitochondrial system was proposed as cause of the cardiotoxicity associated with the anti-neoplasic drug doxorubicin. This review points out the major findings concerning the positive impact of carvedilol on mitochondrial function and its use in the treatment of myocardial diseases where oxidative stress is known to be involved.
Water deprivation stimulates transforming growth factor-beta 2 accumulation in the juxtaglomerular apparatus of mouse kidney. (1991)

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) modulates the growth and differentiation of many cells and often functions in an autocrine or paracrine fashion. The myoepithelial cells of the renal juxtaglomerular apparatus (JGA) synthesize and secrete renin. Under conditions which chronically stimulate renin production, the JGA undergoes hypertrophy and hyperplasia. The molecular factors responsible for these changes in the JGA have not been identified. In the present study, plasma renin activity was stimulated in the mouse by water deprivation. Using immunoperoxidase staining with specific antibodies against TGF-beta 1, beta 2, and beta 3, we found increased TGF-beta 2 accumulation in the JGA and interlobular arteries. Immunostaining with renin antiserum demonstrated colocalization of TGF-beta 2 and renin. TGF-beta 1 and beta 3 expression was not different between control and water-deprived mice. Our results suggest that in the setting of water deprivation, TGF-beta 2 is localized in a manner which would allow it to act either as a growth factor for or as a phenotypic modulator of the JGA and renal arterioles.
Development and characterization of darbepoetin alfa. (2002)

Studies on human erythropoietin (EPO) demonstrated that there is a direct relationship between the sialic acid-containing carbohydrate content of the molecule and its serum half-life and in vivo biological activity, but an inverse relationship with its receptor-binding affinity. These observations led to the hypothesis that increasing the carbohydrate content, beyond that found naturally, would lead to a molecule with enhanced biological activity. Hyperglycosylated recombinant human EPO (rHuEPO) analogs were developed to test this hypothesis. Darbepoetin alfa (Aranesp), which was engineered to contain five N-linked carbohydrate chains (two more than rHuEPO), has been evaluated in preclinical animal studies. Due to its increased sialic acid-containing carbohydrate content, darbepoetin alfa is biochemically distinct from rHuEPO, having an increased molecular weight and greater negative charge. Compared with rHuEPO, it has an approximate threefold longer serum half-life, greater in vivo potency, and can be administered less frequently to obtain the same biological response. Darbepoetin alfa is currently being evaluated in human clinical trials for treatment of anemia and reduction in its incidence.
Abnormal responses to the carcinogen 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide of cultured fibroblasts from patients with dysplastic nevus syndrome and hereditary cutaneous malignant melanoma (1983)

The dysplastic nevus syndrome (DNS) is a preneoplastic melanocyte abnormality which occurs in families affected by hereditary cutaneous malignant melanoma (HCMM). A putative role of host-environmental interactions in the etiology of hereditary melanoma has been strengthened by the recent finding that fibroblasts derived from HCMM/DNS patients demonstrated enhanced sensitivity to u.v.-irradiation in vitro. We report here an extension of these studies in which we have examined the in vitro responses to a model environmental carcinogen, 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide (4NQO), of six non-tumor skin fibroblast strains from HCMM/DNS patients representing five families. Three of the six HCMM/DNS strains showed enhanced cell killing with sensitivities greater than that of a xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) variant strain but less than those of ataxia telangiectasia and XP Group D cell strains. The inhibition and recovery of de novo DNA synthesis, together with the expression of repair synthesis, following 4NQO exposure appeared to be normal in HCMM/DNS strains, irrespective of their subsequent clonogenic potential. Our data point to a metabolic anomaly which may contribute to the carcinogenic risk of the melanoma prone preneoplastic state presented by some DNS patients.
Atmospheric Aerosol Chemistry, Climate Change, and Air Quality: An EMSL Science Theme Advisory Panel Workshop (2013)

This report contains the workshop scope and recommendations from the workshop attendees in identifying scientific gaps in new particle formation, growth and properties of particles and reactions in and on particles as well as the laboratory-focused capabilities, field-deployable capabilities and modeling/theory tools along with linking of models to fundamental data.
Enhanced model predictive control of a catalytic flow reversal reactor (2009)

Abstract The combustion of lean methane air mixtures in a catalytic flow reversal reactor (CFRR) is studied using a two dimensional heterogeneous continuum model, based on mole and energy balance equations for the solid (the inert and catalytic sections of the reactor) and the fluid phases. Following a design of experiments (DOE), many simulations were carried out to investigate the reactor performance. The results show the impact on the methane conversion and the maximum temperature in the reactor of key process parameters such as the methane inlet concentration, the superficial gas velocity, the switching time, and the mass extraction rate. A simple empirical model is deduced to predict the maximum temperature and conversion of methane in the reactor at stationary state. This model is combined with a model predictive control (MPC) strategy in the form of a terminal constraint to improve the controller performance. Results show that the control of the reactor is improved.
The data association problem for hidden Markov models (2002)

In this paper we show that the data association problem for hidden Markov models can be solved in a straightforward manner using standard hidden Markov model estimation techniques.
Zishen Qingre Tongluo Formula Improves Renal Fatty Acid Oxidation and Alleviated Fibrosis via the Regulation of the TGF‐β1/Smad3 Signaling Pathway in Hyperuricemic Nephrology Rats (2021)

Hyperuricemia, an independent risk factor for ensuing chronic kidney disease (CKD), contributed to tubulointerstitial fibrosis and insufficiency of renal fatty acid oxidation. Many studies have shown that renal fatty acid oxidation dysfunction is related to the TGF-<i>β</i>1/Smad3 signaling pathway. We experimented the effects of Zishen Qingre Tongluo Formula (ZQTF) on the adenine/yeast-induced HN rats and uric acid-induced renal mouse tubular epithelial cells (mTECs), determined whether this effect was related to the TGF-<i>β</i>1/Smad3 signaling pathway, and further investigated the relationship between this effect and renal fatty acid oxidation. Rats were given intraperitoneally with adenine (100 mg/kg) and feed chow with 10% yeast for 18 days and then received ZQTF (12.04 g/kg/day) via intragastric gavage for eight weeks. The TGF-<i>β</i>1/Smad3 signaling pathway and renal fatty acid oxidation protein were detected by using western blotting, real-time PCR, and immunohistochemistry staining. mTECs induced by UA were used to investigate the relationship between the TGF-<i>β</i>1/Smad3 signaling pathway and renal fatty acid oxidation. After treatment with ZQTF, levels of UA, 24 h UTP, BUN, and Scr were significantly decreased and histologic injuries were visibly ameliorated in HN rats. Western blotting, real-time PCR, and immunohistochemistry staining revealed that PGC-1<i>α</i>, PPAR<i>γ</i>, and PPAR<i>α</i> significantly increased, and fibronectin, collagen 1, and P-Smad3 significantly decreased in HN rats and UA-induced mTECs after ZQTF treatment. SIS3 (a specific inhibitor of Smad3) treatment significantly increased the expressions of PGC-1<i>α</i>, PPAR<i>γ</i>, and PPAR<i>α</i> and decreased the expressions of fibronectin, collagen 1, and P-Smad3 in UA-induced mTECs. Our study demonstrated that ZQTF exhibited renoprotective effects by promoting renal fatty acid oxidation via the regulation of the TGF-<i>β</i>1/Smad3 signaling pathway. Thus, the present results indicated that ZQTF was a novel antifibrotic strategy for hyperuricemic nephropathy.
Evaluation of axial performance of tapered piles from centrifuge tests (2000)

The performance of tapered piles under axial compressive loading was investigated using centrifuge model tests. Model tapered and cylindrical piles were installed in cohesionless soil and subjected to axial loading. The objectives of this study were to understand the performance characteristics of tapered piles and develop a rational approach for their design. The results of axial compressive loading tests on 12 one-tenth scale model piles with different taper angles in a centrifuge setup are presented and discussed. Six piles were instrumented and six piles were not. The load distribution along the shaft of instrumented piles was measured and the results were compared with an analytical solution in terms of the taper coefficient Kt. The comparison showed a reasonable agreement between Kt values established from the experiments and those obtained from the analytical solution. A simple rational approach was proposed for the design of tapered piles. The proposed approach was used to calculate the bearing capacity of the tested piles, and reasonable agreement with the measured values was obtained. The results of this study suggest that the pile taper should be limited to the top 20-25 pile diameters of the pile length for optimum efficiency.Key words: tapered piles, pile capacity, axial performance, centrifuge modeling, shaft resistance.
Endurance studies on MNOS devices (1978)

The effect of write-erase cycling on surface-state generation and on retentivity in MNOS devices was studied. Annealing behavior of surface states and of threshold-voltage-decay rates was investigated. It is concluded that the threshold-voltage-decay rate is not controlled by surface states but by the nitride conductivity.
Characteristic promoter hypermethylation signatures in male germ cell tumors. (2002)

Our results, therefore, suggest a potential role for epigenetic modification of critical tumor suppressor genes in pathways relevant to GC transformation, differentiation, and treatment response.
Heterogeneity of the ribosomal protein pattern in mycelium of Streptomyces species (1987)

The pattern of ribosomal proteins of 7 &lt;it&gt;Streptomyces&lt;/it&gt; species was studied. Proteins were separated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) using two different electrophoretic systems, and also by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). By these 3 methods, clear differences were observed, in several proteins (absent in some species and present in others), with some species showing more closely related ribosomal protein patterns than others. It is suggested that the application of the present methods may be of some potential in a taxonomic context.
Quaternary structure of the Mr 46,000 mannose 6-phosphate specific receptor: effect of ligand, pH and receptor concentration on the equilibrium between dimeric and tetrameric receptor forms (1990)

The Mr 46,000 mannose 6-phosphate specific receptor exists in solution as a mixture of noncovalently associated dimeric and tetrameric forms. The two quaternary forms were separated by sucrose density centrifugation, and their composition was assessed by cross-linking with bifunctional reagents followed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The dependence of equilibrium between the dimeric and tetrameric forms on pH, receptor concentration, and presence of mannose 6-phosphate was studied. The formation of tetrameric forms is favored by pH values around 7, high receptor concentration, and presence of mannose 6-phosphate ligand. Tetrameric forms bind stronger at pH 7 to phosphomannan-Sepharose 4B than dimeric forms. Both quaternary forms dissociate at the same pH from a mannose 6-phosphate affinity matrix. When starting with dimeric or tetrameric forms, the equilibrium between dimeric and tetrameric forms is reached at pH 7.5 and 4 degrees C after 6-8 days. The presence of 5 mM mannose 6-phosphate shifts the equilibrium toward tetrameric forms. At pH 4.5 and 4 degrees C, the association of dimeric to tetrameric forms is negligible, while tetrameric forms dissociate to dimeric forms within 12 h. The results demonstrate that oligomerization is an intrinsic property of MPR-46 that is affected by ligand binding, pH, and receptor concentration.
Hemispherical Coverage of Four-Faced Aircraft Arrays. (1979)

This report describes the radiating characteristics of a four-faced array with faces arranged in a streamlined configuration for hemispherical coverage. The report presents new experimental and theoretical results giving coverage for a side array in the plane perpendicular to the cylinder and shows that the structure radiates both polarizations efficiently for angles from the zenith to the horizon. In the absence of mutual coupling effects, the circularly polarized radiation remains within approximately 1 dB of the array projection factor. Finally the report presents coverage contours for a four-faced array with the front and back faces half the size of the side faces. In this case, the proper choice of front array tilt angle can result in a hemispherical gain projection factor within 3.5 dB of peak gain over nearly the whole hemisphere. (Author)
Reduction of calcified plaque volume in ex vivo pericardial tissue, with nanobubbles (2022)

The present research investigated the effect of nanobubbles in Ringer's solution on calcified plaque within ex vivo coronary and peripheral artery tissue. The goal of the work was to determine whether nanobubbles generated using an alternating magnetic field (AMF) system can reproducibly reduce the size of plaque obstructions in ex vivo pericardial tissue specimens compared to that in an untreated control. Nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) measurements were used to first confirm that AMF can produce nanobubbles in Ringer's solution as well as it does in water. Experiments were performed in which ex vivo human coronary artery and peripheral artery tissues containing plaque were exposed to Ringer's solution with and without the presence of AMF generated nanobubbles. Measurements on intravascular optical coherence tomography (IVOCT) images consistently indicated that plaque volume is significantly reduced in the presence of nanobubbles. A theory of induced dissolution by nanobubble/nanoparticle cluster formation provides a causal explanation for the observed reductions in plaque size.
On the integration of engineering design and development process model - Part I: Elaborations on the generally accepted process models (2011)

Models of the engineering design process and of the development process nowadays present similar forms in the engineering design literature and interact in a similar way. These models are often presented as generic, in order to be used in a wide area of applications. This interaction is, however, not unproblematic, and in this publication we present some important issues and challenge the generic aspect of these models. In order to increase clarity we have divided the publication into two parts. In Part I, the generally accepted engineering design and development process models are presented. The fundaments of the development model and the motivations behind its current form are highlighted. In Part II, the consequences in the form of severe shortcomings resulting from the interaction of the engineering design and development process models are highlighted. These shortcomings do not disappear when the systematic design process model is applied with alternative development process models. The implications for the further development of methodologies supporting the design and development models are discussed.
Optimization of 1-3 Piezoelectric Composites Considering Transmitting and Receiving Sensitivity of Underwater Acoustic Transducers (2013)

The optimal structure of 1-3 piezocomposites has been determined by controlling polymer properties, ceramic volume fraction, thickness of composite and aspect ratio of the composite to maximize the TVR (transmitting voltage response), RVS (receiving voltage sensitivity) and FBW (fractional bandwidth) of underwater acoustic transducers. Influence of the design variables on the transducer performance was analyzed with equivalent circuits and the finite element method. When the piezocomposite is vibrating in a pure thickness mode, inter-pillar resonant modes are likely to occur between lattice-structured piezoceramic pillars and polymer matrix, which significantly deteriorate the performance of the piezocomposite. In this work, a new method to design the structure of the 1~3 type piezocomposite was proposed to maximize the TVR, RVS and FBW while preventing the occurrence of the inter-pillar modes. Genetic algorithm was used in the optimal design.
Effect of Regioisomerism on Processability and Mechanical Properties of Amine/Urea Exchange Based Poly(urea-urethane) Vitrimers (2019)

In this paper, three analogous poly(urea-urethane) elastomers were thoroughly characterized to determine the effect of regioisomerism on the processability and mechanical properties of the final materials. The polymers were synthesized starting from the same isocyanate-terminated polyol and the three positional isomers of phenylenediamine hardener. The main differences on the supramolecular hydrogen-bond network, as well as on the outcome of the dynamic amine/urea exchange reaction, were determined by experimental measurements (FTIR, rheology, DMA, tensile tests) and molecular quantum chemical calculations.