gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Scaffolds from alternating block polyurethanes of poly(ɛ-caprolactone) and poly(ethylene glycol) with stimulation and guidance of nerve growth and better nerve repair than autograft (2014)

Nerve repair scaffolds from novel alternating block polyurethanes (PUCL-alt-PEG) based on PCL and PEG without additional growth factors or proteins were prepared by a particle leaching method. The scaffolds have pore size 10-20 µm and porosity 92%. Mechanical tests showed that the polyurethane scaffolds have maximum loads of 5.97 ± 0.35 N and maximal stresses of 8.84 ± 0.5 MPa. Histocompatiblity of the nerve repair scaffolds was tested in a SD rat model for peripheral nerve defect treatment. Two types of treatments including PUCL-alt-PEG scaffolds and autografts were compared in rat model. After 32 weeks, bridging of a 12 mm defect gap by the regenerated nerve was observed in all rats. The nerve regeneration was systematically characterized by sciatic function index (SFI), electrophysiology, histological assessment including HE staining, immunohistochemistry, ammonia sliver staining, Masson's trichrome staining and TEM observation. Results revealed that nerve repair scaffolds from PUCL-alt-PEG exhibit better regeneration effects compared to autografts. Electrophysiological recovery was seen in 90% and 87% of rats in PUCL-alt-PEG and autograft groups respectively. Biodegradation in vitro and in vivo shows good degradation match of PUCL-alt-PEG scaffolds with nerve regeneration. It demonstrates that plain nerve repair scaffolds from PUCL-alt-PEG biomaterials can achieve peripheral nerve regeneration satisfactorily.
Collagenase-2 Deficiency or Inhibition Impairs Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis in Mice (2008)

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been implicated in a variety of human diseases, including neuroimmunological disorders such as multiple sclerosis. However, the recent finding that some MMPs play paradoxical protective roles in these diseases has made necessary the detailed study of the specific function of each family member in their pathogenesis. To determine the relevance of collagenase-2 (MMP-8) in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model for multiple sclerosis, we have performed two different analyses involving genetic and biochemical approaches. First, we have analyzed the development of EAE in mutant mouse deficient in MMP-8, with the finding that the absence of this proteolytic enzyme is associated with a marked reduction in the clinical symptoms of EAE. We have also found that MMP-8(-/-) mice exhibit a marked reduction in central nervous system-infiltrating cells and demyelinating lesions. As a second approach, we have carried out a pharmacological inhibition of MMP-8 with a selective inhibitor against this protease (IC(50) = 0.4 nM). These studies have revealed that the administration of the MMP-8 selective inhibitor to mice with EAE also reduces the severity of the disease. Based on these findings, we conclude that MMP-8 plays an important role in EAE development and propose that this enzyme may be a novel therapeutic target in human neuro-inflammatory diseases such as multiple sclerosis.
The plasmapause revisited (1977)

Saturation of the dc double-probe instrument on Explorer 45 has been used to identify the plasmapause. Fifteen months of these data resulted in a data base of sufficient size to statistically study the average position of the plasmapause over 14.5 hours of magnetic local time (MLT) under differing magnetic conditions. The afternoon-evening bulge in the L coordinate of the plasmapause versus local time was found to be centered between 20 and 21 hours MLT during magnetically quiet periods and shifted toward dusk as activity increased, but always postdusk. During quiet periods a bulge in the L coordinate near noon was also seen, which disappeared as activity increased. The average local time distribution plasmapause position during high magnetic activity was irregular in the afternoon region, where large-scale convection models predict the creation of plasmatails or detached plasma regions from increases in the solar wind induced convection. The results suggest that solar wind induced convection is partially shielded from the dayside. As the intensity of the convection is increased, it more effectively penetrates the dayside, which shifts the postdusk bulge nearer to dusk and eliminates the quiet time bulge near noon (created by Sq dynamo ionospheric electric fields projecting into the magnetosphere when dayside convection is weak). Correlations of the plasmapause L coordinate with Dst were more ordered than corresponding correlations with Kp or with the maximum Kp over the previous 12 hours.
Formulation and evaluation of sustained release matrix tablets of Isoniazid (2011)

Sustained release tablets of isoniazid were fabricated using guar gum and carbapol, Tragacanth Gum and PEG-6000, in different proportion and combinations by direct compression technique, Bulk density, tapped density, compressibility index, Hausner ratio before being punched as tablets. The tablets were evaluated for physical characteristic like hardness, weight variation, friability, and drug content. Observations of all formulations for physical characterization had shown that, all of them comply with the specifications of official pharmacopoeias and or standard references. Results of in vitro release profile indicated that formulation (F2) was the most promising formulation as the extent of drug release from this formulation was high as compared to other formulations. From the above results and discussion it is concluded that formulation of sustained release tablet of Isoniazid containing Guar gum (1.5%), Batch F2 can be taken as an ideal or optimized formulation of sustained release tablets for 12 hour release as it fulfills all the requirements for sustained release tablet.
Evaluating Alternatives to GDP as Measures of Social Welfare and Progress. WWWforEurope Working Paper No. 56 (2014)

Proposed alternatives to GDP as a measure of social welfare or human progress are briefly evaluated. Four main categories are considered: ISEW and GPI based on corrections of GDP, sustainable or green(ed) GDP, genuine savings or investments and composite indexes. All these alternatives turn out to suffer from various shortcomings. Nevertheless, several of them represent a considerable improvement over GDP information in approximating social welfare. This gives support to the idea that we should not wait to give less importance and attention to GDP (per capita) information in public decision making until a perfect alternative indicator is available.
Steroid receptor phosphorylation: Assigning function to site‐specific phosphorylation (2009)

Steroid receptors (SRs) are hormone-activated transcription factors important for a wide variety of cellular functions. Post-translational modifications of SRs, including phosphorylation, ubiquitination, acetylation, and sumoylation regulate their expression and function. The remarkable number of phosphorylation sites in these receptors and the wide variety of kinases shown to modulate phosphorylation influence the integration between cell-signaling pathways and SR action. These phosphorylation sites have been identified in all of the functional domains with the majority being located within the amino-terminal portions of the receptors. The regulation of function is receptor specific, site specific, and often dependent on the cellular context. Numerous roles for site-specific phosphorylation have been elucidated including sensitivity of hormone response, DNA binding, expression, stability, subcellular localization, dimerization, and protein-protein interactions that can determine the regulation of specific target genes. This review summarizes the current knowledge regarding receptor site-specific phosphorylation and regulation of function. As functional assays become more sophisticated, it is likely that additional roles for phosphorylation in receptor function will be identified.
Creating a secure processing tree for anonymous distributed data processing in the cloud (2017)

We present a set of protocols for creating a secure processing tree used for completing a task without divulging critical information. We analyze the information that is exchanged during the protocols and the effect of compromising participants.
Synchrotron X-ray Diffraction and Infrared Spectroscopy Studies of C60H18 under High Pressure (2010)

In situ high-pressure angle-dispersive synchrotron X-ray diffraction and high-pressure mid-infrared (IR) spectrum measurements of C60H18 were carried out up to 32 and 10.2 GPa, respectively. Our diffraction data indicated that the fcc structure of C60H18 was stable up to 32 GPa. The bulk modulus B0 was determined to be 21 ± 1.16 GPa, about 40% higher than that of C60. The C−H vibrations still existed up to 10.2 GPa, and the vibrational frequencies decreased with increasing pressure. IR-active vibrational frequencies and their corresponding eigenvectors of C60H18 were simulated by DMOL3. The effects of the hydrogen atoms attached to the fullerene molecular cage on the stability of the structure under high pressure are discussed.
Toughened Thermal Blanket for MMOD Protection (2014)

Thermal blankets are used extensively on spacecraft to provide passive thermal control of spacecraft hardware from thermal extremes encountered in space. Toughened thermal blankets have been developed that greatly improve protection from hypervelocity micrometeoroid and orbital debris (MMOD) impacts. These blankets can be outfitted if so desired with a reliable means to determine the location, depth and extent of MMOD impact damage by incorporating an impact sensitive piezoelectric film. Improved MMOD protection of thermal blankets was obtained by adding selective materials at various locations within the thermal blanket. As given in Figure 1, three types of materials were added to the thermal blanket to enhance its MMOD performance: (1) disrupter layers, near the outside of the blanket to improve breakup of the projectile, (2) standoff layers, in the middle of the blanket to provide an area or gap that the broken-up projectile can expand, and (3) stopper layers, near the back of the blanket where the projectile debris is captured and stopped. The best suited materials for these different layers vary. Density and thickness is important for the disrupter layer (higher densities generally result in better projectile breakup), whereas a highstrength to weight ratio is useful for the stopper layer, to improve the slowing and capture of debris particles.
The intersection of ray tracing and solid modeling (1998)

Use of a solid modeler in the implementation of a non-sequential ray tracing engine has a number of advantages not easily achieved using sequential surface based optical system descriptions. These include a solid modeler’s ability to represent a physical part unambiguously as a bounded entity, with a well defined inside and outside. Reliable algorithms for transferring and intersecting rays in a solids environment with homogeneous optical media are compact and general purpose. By associating optical properties (e.g., refraction, reflection, diffraction, and scattering) to the surfaces of the solids, one can generate one or more scattered rays to track the geometrical exitance from the surface. Use of solids with optical surface properties provides a modeling architecture that is both powerful and extensible to handle new types of phenomena with no change to the basic ray trace algorithms.
A Study on the Behavior of a Fuel Droplet Injected into the Combustion Chamber of a Diesel Engine (1967)

&lt;div class="htmlview paragraph"&gt;In this study, the burning rate, burning lifetime, and flight distance of a fuel droplet injected into the combustion chamber were formulated, taking into consideration the effects of high air temperature and pressure, and of droplet relative velocity.&lt;/div&gt; &lt;div class="htmlview paragraph"&gt;It was confirmed by the experiment conducted that these formulas are valid, at least for a droplet in the tip of a puff of spray. They should provide strong clues to the theoretical determination of the minimum cylinder diameter suitable for small-size, direct injection diesel engines.&lt;/div&gt;
Planar dual-band spiral monopole antenna (2011)

The design of planar spiral monopole antenna and the details of antenna dual-band operation are presented in this paper. One-turn spiral geometry has been implemented in order to produce two different modes of printed monopole antenna. Optimizing the antenna layout makes it possible to control the frequency bands and thus to design antennas used for different applications, such as 3G/4G mobile terminals and human BAN wireless nodes. Important information on the final-paper submission procedure is also provided.
Modeling of the Bacterial Growth Curve (1990)

Several sigmoidal functions (logistic, Gompertz, Richards, Schnute, and Stannard) were compared to describe a bacterial growth curve. They were compared statistically by using the model of Schnute, which is a comprehensive model, encompassing all other models. The t test and the F test were used. With the t test, confidence intervals for parameters can be calculated and can be used to distinguish between models. In the F test, the lack of fit of the models is compared with the measuring error. Moreover, the models were compared with respect to their ease of use. All sigmoidal functions were modified so that they contained biologically relevant parameters. The models of Richards, Schnute, and Stannard appeared to be basically the same equation. In the cases tested, the modified Gompertz equation was statistically sufficient to describe the growth data of Lactobacillus plantarum and was easy to use.
Enhanced resistance to permeability transition in interfibrillar cardiac mitochondria in dogs: effects of aging and long-term aldosterone infusion (2012)

Functional differences between subsarcolemmal and interfibrillar cardiac mitochondria (SSM and IFM) have been observed with aging and pathological conditions in rodents. Results are contradictory, and there is little information from large animal models. We assessed the respiratory function and resistance to mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) in SSM and IFM from healthy young (1 yr) and old (8 yr) female beagles and in old beagles with hypertension and left ventricular (LV) wall thickening induced by 16 wk of aldosterone infusion. MPT was assessed in SSM and IFM by Ca(2+) retention and swelling. Healthy young and old beagles had similar mitochondrial structure, respiratory function, and Ca(2+)-induced MPT within SSM and IFM subpopulations. On the other hand, oxidative capacity and resistance to Ca(2+)-induced MPT were significantly greater in IFM compared with SSM in all groups. Old beagles treated with aldosterone had greater LV wall thickness and worse diastolic filling but normal LV chamber volume and systolic function. Treatment with aldosterone did not alter mitochondrial respiratory function but accelerated Ca(2+)-induced MPT in SSM, but not IFM, compared with healthy old and young beagles. In conclusion, in a large animal model, oxidative capacity and resistance to MPT were greater in IFM than in SSM. Furthermore, aldosterone infusion increased susceptibility to MPT in SSM, but not IFM. Together this suggests that SSM are less resilient to acute stress than IFM in the healthy heart and are more susceptible to the development of pathology with chronic stress.
SO2 Decomposition on Pt/CeO2(111) Model Catalysts: On the Reaction Mechanism and the Influence of H2 and CO (2012)

We have performed a synchrotron radiation photoelectron spectroscopy (SR-PES) study on the mechanism of SO2 decomposition on Pt/CeO2(111) model catalysts prepared on Cu(111). Resonant photoemission spectroscopy (RPES) was applied to monitor changes of the cerium oxidation state. Adsorption of SO2 at 150 K on Pt/CeO2(111)/Cu(111) yields surface sulfites (SO32–) on ceria and upright standing molecular SO2 (SO2st) on Pt along with traces of atomic sulfur. Partial decomposition and desorption of the adsorbed species in the form of SO2 occur between 150 and 300 K. In this temperature region, slow accumulation of atomic sulfur is accompanied by reduction of the ceria support. Above 300 K, all surface species completely transform into atomic sulfur; this process is accompanied by a strong reoxidation of ceria. As probed by CO adsorption, the majority of the atomic sulfur species is located on the surface of the Pt particles. Possible reaction mechanisms involving spillover of numerous sulfur-derived species are considered. Finally, reverse spillover of the sulfur from Pt to the ceria support and formation of a cerium oxysulfide phase occurs above 550 K. The spillover of atomic sulfur is readily promoted under reducing conditions, e.g., in the presence of coadsorbed hydrogen or CO.
Asymmetric polymers. XXV. Synthesis of some optically active c‐substituted hexahydro‐2H‐azepin‐2‐ones (1972)

Abstract A series of optically active hexahydro‐2 H ‐azepin‐2‐ones substituted at the 5 position were prepared from ( S )( − ) and ( R )(+)‐hexahydro‐5‐carboxy‐2 H ‐azepin‐2‐one obtained via resolution of the racemic acid with brucine. Racemic hexahydro‐5‐carboxy‐2 H ‐azepin‐2‐one was synthesized from 4‐oxocyclohexanecarboxylic acid. Interest in many substituted hexahydro‐2 H ‐azepin‐2‐ones (ϵ‐caprolactams, 2‐oxohexamethyleneimines) stems in part from their ability to form polymers of the nylon 6 type whose properties may be systematically modified through regulation of the nature and position of the lactam substituent. Further structural control is possible through the use of optically pure monomers. An asymmetric seven‐membered lactam with a polar substituent might lead to a stereoregular polyamide where interaction between the side chain and the polymer backbone could influence the conformational properties of the polymer. A side chain such as the hydroxymethyl moiety would be expected to favor hydrogen bonding. This question is discussed in more detail in the paper which follows on the optical properties of the polymer.
A multistate assessment of population normalization factors for wastewater-based epidemiology of COVID-19 (2023)

Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) has become a valuable tool for monitoring SARS-CoV-2 infection trends throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Population biomarkers that measure the relative human fecal contribution to normalize SARS-CoV-2 wastewater concentrations are needed for improved analysis and interpretation of community infection trends. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Wastewater Surveillance System (CDC NWSS) recommends using the wastewater flow rate or human fecal indicators as population normalization factors. However, there is no consensus on which normalization factor performs best. In this study, we provided the first multistate assessment of the effects of flow rate and human fecal indicators (crAssphage, F+ Coliphage, and PMMoV) on the correlation of SARS-CoV-2 wastewater concentrations and COVID-19 cases using the CDC NWSS dataset of 182 communities across six U.S. states. Flow normalized SARS-CoV-2 wastewater concentrations produced the strongest correlation with COVID-19 cases. The correlation from the three human fecal indicators were significantly lower than flow rate. Additionally, using reverse transcription droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (RT-ddPCR) significantly improved correlation values over samples that were analyzed with real-time reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (rRT-qPCR). Our assessment shows that utilizing flow normalization with RT-ddPCR generate the strongest correlation between SARS-CoV-2 wastewater concentrations and COVID-19 cases.
Noninvasive Observations of Peripheral Angle in Eyes After Penetrating Keratoplasty Using Anterior Segment Fourier-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography (2011)

Anterior segment Fourier-domain OCT is a useful and innovative tool that enables us to observe the anterior chamber angle and examine ITC as PAS of eyes with corneal opacity, even after PKP.
Collagen-induced platelet shape change. The role of collagen quaternary structure. (1980)

Multimerization of collagen molecules appears to be a prerequisite for collagen-induced platelet aggregation and release. Whether a similar requirement exists for collagen-initiated platelet disc-to-sphere transformation, one of the earliest events in the platelet:collagen interaction, is not known. We have studied platelet shape change by highly purified type I collagen in the presence of EDTA to prevent interference from platelet aggregation and release. The ability of soluble collagen to induce platelet shape change was dependent on prior fibril formation. Tropocollagen from which multimers were removed was not able to initiate the disc-to-sphere transformation, indicating that monomeric collagen is insufficient as a platelet activator. Increasing the extent of multimerization by preincubation at 37 degrees led to an increase in the response rate and a decrease in the lag time for initiation of shape change, but even after maximal multimerization, the lag time was not eliminated. The increase in the turbidity of the collagen solution preceded its ability to stimulate platelet shape change, suggesting that a minimum size of the multimer is needed for platelet activation. L-Arginine, an inhibitor of multimerization, prevented collagen-induced shape change in a dose-dependent relationship. Enhancement of the shape change response rate as a function of the concentration of collagen multimers was found.
One-megadalton metalloenzyme complex in Geobacter metallireducens involved in benzene ring reduction beyond the biological redox window (2018)

Reversible biological electron transfer usually occurs between redox couples at standard redox potentials ranging from +0.8 to -0.5 V. Dearomatizing benzoyl-CoA reductases (BCRs), key enzymes of the globally relevant microbial degradation of aromatic compounds at anoxic sites, catalyze a biological Birch reduction beyond the negative limit of this redox window. The structurally characterized BamBC subunits of class II BCRs accomplish benzene ring reduction at an active-site tungsten cofactor; however, the mechanism and components involved in the energetic coupling of endergonic benzene ring reduction have remained hypothetical. We present a 1-MDa, membrane-associated, Bam[(BC)<sub>2</sub>DEFGHI]<sub>2</sub> complex from the anaerobic bacterium <i>Geobacter metallireducens</i> harboring 4 tungsten, 4 zinc, 2 selenocysteines, 6 FAD, and >50 FeS cofactors. The results suggest that class II BCRs catalyze electron transfer to the aromatic ring, yielding a cyclic 1,5-dienoyl-CoA via two flavin-based electron bifurcation events. This work expands our knowledge of energetic couplings in biology by high-molecular-mass electron bifurcating machineries.
Structural stability of ZrO2–Al2O3 thin films deposited by magnetron sputtering (1989)

Thin films of zirconia–alumina were prepared in a variety of compositional ratios and on several different substrates by reactive magnetron sputtering. Thin films were initially amorphous, but they could be crystallized by appropriate heat treatment operations. The conditions for nucleation and the stability of the cubic, tetragonal, and monoclinic phases of ZrO2 were examined over the entire composition range. X-ray diffraction studies suggested that films with Zr:Al atomic ratios up to 0.70:0.30 nucleated first with the zirconia in the cubic phase with subsequent transformation to a tetragonal phase as a function of annealing time. A decrease in volume of the monoclinic phase was observed with increasing alumina content, suggesting that an internal compression results in a reduction of the volume to the point where the monoclinic-to-tetragonal transition is energetically favorable. Freestanding films could be produced by depositing the zirconia–alumina films onto a NaCl substrate and then dissolving the latter in distilled water. High-pressure studies were performed in a diamond anvil to examine the stability of the amorphous and crystallized films.