gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Increased neutrophil activation in diabetic pregnancy and in nonpregnant diabetic women. (1989)

Human neutrophil elastase may be a mediator of vascular damage, and enhanced neutrophil reactivity could contribute to the susceptibility of pregnant diabetic women to vascular complications. Elevated plasma levels of neutrophil elastase will reflect neutrophil activation in vivo. The aim of this study was to determine whether neutrophil activation occurs in uncomplicated diabetic pregnancy. We studied 30 normal nonpregnant women, 20 nonpregnant diabetic women, 32 nondiabetic women with normal pregnancies, and 17 insulin-requiring pregnant diabetic patients. Plasma neutrophil elastase was measured by radioimmunoassay. There was a significantly higher concentration of plasma neutrophil elastase in normal pregnant women compared with the nonpregnant group (P less than .001). The nonpregnant diabetic group had significantly higher concentrations than the normal nonpregnant group (P less than .002). The pregnant diabetic group had significantly higher concentrations than the nonpregnant diabetic group (P less than .001) and the normal pregnant group (P less than .05). The high concentrations of plasma neutrophil elastase may contribute to the greater sensitivity of pregnant diabetic patients to vascular complications.
Contrasting effects of climate change on seasonal survival of a hibernating mammal (2020)

Seasonal environmental conditions shape the behavior and life history of virtually all organisms. Climate change is modifying these seasonal environmental conditions, which threatens to disrupt population dynamics. It is conceivable that climatic changes may be beneficial in one season but result in detrimental conditions in another because life-history strategies vary between these time periods. We analyzed the temporal trends in seasonal survival of yellow-bellied marmots (<i>Marmota flaviventer</i>) and explored the environmental drivers using a 40-y dataset from the Colorado Rocky Mountains (USA). Trends in survival revealed divergent seasonal patterns, which were similar across age-classes. Marmot survival declined during winter but generally increased during summer. Interestingly, different environmental factors appeared to drive survival trends across age-classes. Winter survival was largely driven by conditions during the preceding summer and the effect of continued climate change was likely to be mainly negative, whereas the likely outcome of continued climate change on summer survival was generally positive. This study illustrates that seasonal demographic responses need disentangling to accurately forecast the impacts of climate change on animal population dynamics.
Factors influencing the feasibility of using catch crops for biogas production (2013)

In order to secure an economically feasible operation of manure-based biogas plants in Denmark there is a need for supplying the plants with high yielding biomass feedstock. The aim of this study was to investigate the biomass yield and the methane potential of three different catch crop species in three different locations of Jutland, Denmark. Differences in climate and soil conditions between locations determined mainly the biomass yield. Methane potentials were in the range of 252-435 ml CH4/ g VS depending on catch crops species. The use of catch crops for biogas production has large perspectives since it would combine renewable energy production with agricultural and environmental benefits.
Darbepoetin‐mediated cardioprotection after myocardial infarction involves multiple mechanisms independent of erythropoietin receptor–common β‐chain heteroreceptor (2010)

Darbepoetin stimulates expression of haeme oxygenase, iNOS, BNP and angiogenic factors specifically in infarcted left ventricle that attenuates inflammation, apoptosis and fibrosis; elevate vessel numbers; and improve cardiac function. The EPOR-c-beta-chain heteroreceptor is not essential for these effects.
High-Pressure Liquid Dispersion and Fragmentation of Flame-Made Silica Agglomerates (2006)

The influence of primary particle diameter and the degree of agglomeration of flame-made silica agglomerate suspensions in aqueous solutions is studied by high-pressure dispersion (up to 1500 bar) through a nozzle with a 125 microm inner diameter. These particles were produced (4-15 g/h) by oxidation of hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDSO) in a coflow diffusion flame reactor. Their average primary particle size (10-50 nm) and degree of agglomeration were controlled by varying the oxygen and precursor flow rates. The particles were characterized by nitrogen adsorption, electron microscopy, and small-angle X-ray scattering. Hydrodynamic stresses break up soft agglomerates and yield hard agglomerate sizes in the range of 100-180 nm, as characterized by dynamic light scattering. Soft agglomerates exhibited decreasing light scattering diameters with increasing dispersion pressure, while hard agglomerates were insensitive.
Multimodal Evaluation of Neurovascular Functionality in Early Parkinson's Disease (2020)

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a multisystem neurological condition affecting different neurotransmitter pathways characterized by aberrant functional connectivity (FC) and perfusion alteration. Since the FC, measuring neuronal activity, and cerebral blood flow (CBF) are closely related through the neurovascular coupling (NVC) mechanism, we aim to assess whether FC changes found in PD mirror perfusion ones. A multimodal MRI study was implemented by acquiring resting state functional MRI (rsfMRI) and arterial spin labeling (ASL) datasets on a group of 26 early PD (66.8 ± 8 years, 22 males, median [interquartile range] Hoehn and Yahr = 1.5 [1]) and 18 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs). In addition, a T1-weighted MPRAGE was also acquired in the same scan session. After a standard preprocessing, resting state networks (RSNs) and CBF maps were extracted from rsfMRI and ASL dataset, respectively. Then, by means of a dual regression algorithm performed on RSNs, a cluster of FC differences between groups was obtained and used to mask CBF maps in the subsequent voxel-wise group comparison. Furthermore, a gray matter (GM) volumetric assessment was performed within the FC cluster in order to exclude tissue atrophy as a source of functional changes. Reduced FC for a PD patient with respect to HC group was found within a sensory-motor network (SMN, p<sub>FWE</sub> = 0.01) and visual networks (VNs, primary p<sub>FWE</sub> = 0.022 and lateral p<sub>FWE</sub> = 0.01). The latter was accompanied by a decreased CBF (primary p<sub>FWE</sub> = 0.037, lateral p<sub>FWE</sub> = 0.014 VNs), while no GM atrophy was detected instead. The FC alteration found in the SMN of PD might be likely due to a dopaminergic denervation of the striatal pathways causing a functional disconnection. On the other hand, the changes in connectivity depicted in VNs might be related to an altered non-dopaminergic system, since perfusion was also reduced, revealing a compromised NVC. Finally, the absence of GM volume loss might imply that functional changes may potentially anticipate neurodegeneration. In this framework, FC and CBF might be proposed as early functional biomarkers providing meaningful insights in evaluating both disease progression and therapeutic/rehabilitation treatment outcome.
Development of HTS (High-Temperature-Superconductor) Current Leads for 1MW/lkWh Module Type SMES System (1996)

We are developing high-temperature-superconductor (HTS) current leads for 1MW/lkWh module type SMES system. In module SMES, a pair of current lead would be installed in each module so that the heat load to low temperature region through leads must be minimized. Design study of the lead configuration including the safety lead and its thermal characteristics is presented herein. The safety lead composed of stainless steel is placed in parallel to the bulk HTS. The safety lead experimental fixture has been developed and the simulated bulk HTS quench test was demonstrated. The maximum temperature of the safety lead reached 200K and the terminal voltage of the safety lead was only 1.2 V in case of 1000A quench test. This temperature rise was well below the designed value.
Terahertz Waveguide: 3D‐Printed Terahertz Topological Waveguides (Adv. Mater. Technol. 7/2021) (2021)

In article number 2100252, Muhammad Talal Ali Khan, Haisu Li, Shaghik Atakaramians and co-workers demonstrate an air-channel topological terahertz waveguide that has wider relative bandwidth (1.6 times) compared to dielectric counterpart at a low fabrication cost. This work opens a route towards development of robust topologically protected devices such as splitters and directional antennas for terahertz communication.
Enhanced Protective Efficacy of a Chimeric Form of the Schistosomiasis Vaccine Antigen Sm-TSP-2 (2012)

The large extracellular loop of the Schistosoma mansoni tetraspanin, Sm-TSP-2, when fused to a thioredoxin partner and formulated with Freund's adjuvants, has been shown to be an efficacious vaccine against murine schistosomiasis. Moreover, Sm-TSP-2 is uniquely recognised by IgG(1) and IgG(3) from putatively resistant individuals resident in S. mansoni endemic areas in Brazil. In the present study, we expressed Sm-TSP-2 at high yield and in soluble form in E. coli without the need for a solubility enhancing fusion partner. We also expressed in E. coli a chimera called Sm-TSP-2/5B, which consisted of Sm-TSP-2 fused to the immunogenic 5B region of the hookworm aspartic protease and vaccine antigen, Na-APR-1. Sm-TSP-2 formulated with alum/CpG showed significant reductions in adult worm and liver egg burdens in two separate murine schistosomiasis challenge studies. Sm-TSP-2/5B afforded significantly greater protection than Sm-TSP-2 alone when both antigens were formulated with alum/CpG. The enhanced protection obtained with the chimeric fusion protein was associated with increased production of anti-Sm-TSP-2 antibodies and IL-4, IL-10 and IFN-γ from spleen cells of vaccinated animals. Sera from 666 individuals from Brazil who were infected with S. mansoni were screened for potentially deleterious IgE responses to Sm-TSP-2. Anti-Sm-TSP-2 IgE to this protein was not detected (also shown previously for Na-APR-1), suggesting that the chimeric antigen Sm-TSP-2/5B could be used to safely and effectively vaccinate people in areas where schistosomes and hookworms are endemic.
Bone resection and ligament treatment for flexion contracture in knee arthroplasty. (2003)

A retrospective study of 103 knees (88 patients) who had primary total knee arthroplasty with a flexion contracture ranging from 20 degrees to 60 degrees was done to tabulate the primary soft tissue structures released during surgery and to identify any residual deformity. The average flexion contracture preoperatively was 27.1 degrees +/- 8 degrees and postoperatively was 2.7 degrees +/- 3.4 degrees (range, 0 degrees -10 degrees ). The average followup was 70.4 months (range, 12-180 months). Only medial or lateral soft tissue balancing procedures were necessary to correct the flexion contracture in 37 knees (35.9%) and no medial or lateral release was necessary in 25 knees (24.3%), of which 16 had a balanced posterior cruciate ligament. The posterior capsule was released on the deformity side of the knee in 15 knees (14.6%) and on the opposite side of the deformity in seven knees (6.8%). The posterior cruciate ligament was balanced in 21 knees (20.4%) and was released in four knees (3.9%). For all knees in which the posterior cruciate ligament was released or balanced, it was done for excessive rollback and tightness in flexion and not for flexion contracture management. In two patients (2%) an additional 4 mm of distal femur was resected for a 45 degrees and a 25 degrees flexion contracture. The data suggest that a contracted collateral ligament is the most likely primary structure whose effective release allows correction of the flexion contracture in most cases.
Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Aluminumtitanate-Mullite Composites (Part3) (1992)

The effects of aluminumtitanate (AT) particle size on the sinterability, bending strength, thermal expansion, thermal stability and thermal shock resistance of aluminumtitanate-mullite composites with various mixing ratios were studied. The results were summarized as follows. (1) The sintered density slightly increased with decreasing AT particle size. (2) The grain size of AT in sintered bodies was nearly equal to the particle size in raw mixtures, except for <1μm powder. (3) The bending strength of the composites was not influenced significantly by the particle size of AT. It was the highest at 26wt%AT composites and decreased with increasing amount of AT. (4) The degree of thermal expansion hysteresis increased with increasing amount of AT regardless the particle size. (5) The thermal expansion coefficients in heating stage of the composites were highest at 48wt%AT except the largest particle size composites, and decreased in higher AT content. These coefficients slightly increased with decrease in particle size of AT in raw mixtures. (6) The critical temperature difference of the composites raised with increase in particle size in the same AT composition.
Rectification of Millimeter Waves in Nanometer-Scale Si-Inversion-Layer Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistors (1996)

We measured the millimeter wave response of nanometer-scale Si metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (Si-MOSFETs) between 1.8 K and 4.2 K, which showed irregular conductance oscillation versus gate voltage and nonlinear I–V characteristics, which we attributed to hopping conduction between localized states. Sign-changeable rectified current of 75 GHz millimeter waves was observed, and the peak positions in plots of rectified current versus gate voltage coincided with those of conductance oscillation. The rectification occurred even when electrons were heated considerably by millimeter waves. The rectification was also explained in terms of a hopping regime.
Treatment with oxandrolone and the durability of effects in older men (2004)

We investigated the effects of the anabolic androgen, oxandrolone, on lean body mass (LBM), muscle size, fat, and maximum voluntary muscle strength, and we determined the durability of effects after treatment was stopped. Thirty-two healthy 60- to 87-yr-old men were randomized to receive 20 mg oxandrolone/day (n = 20) or placebo (n = 12) for 12 wk. Body composition [dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), magnetic resonance imaging, and (2)H(2)O dilution] and muscle strength [1 repetition maximum (1 RM)] were evaluated at baseline and after 12 wk of treatment; body composition (DEXA) and 1-RM strength were then assessed 12 wk after treatment was discontinued (week 24). At week 12, oxandrolone increased LBM by 3.0 +/- 1.5 kg (P < 0.001), total body water by 2.9 +/- 3.7 kg (P = 0.002), and proximal thigh muscle area by 12.4 +/- 8.4 cm(2) (P < 0.001); these increases were greater (P < 0.003) than in the placebo group. Oxandrolone increased 1-RM strength for leg press by 6.7 +/- 6.4% (P < 0.001), leg flexion by 7.0 +/- 7.8% (P < 0.001), chest press by 9.3 +/- 6.7% (P < 0.001), and latissimus pull-down exercises by 5.1 +/- 9.1% (P = 0.02); these increases were greater than placebo. Oxandrolone reduced total (-1.9 +/- 1.0 kg) and trunk fat (-1.3 +/- 0.6 kg; P < 0.001), and these decreases were greater (P < 0.001) than placebo. Twelve weeks after oxandrolone was discontinued (week 24), the increments in LBM and muscle strength were no longer different from baseline (P > 0.15). However, the decreases in total and trunk fat were sustained (-1.5 +/- 1.8, P = 0.001 and -1.0 +/- 1.1 kg, P < 0.001, respectively). Thus oxandrolone induced short-term improvements in LBM, muscle area, and strength, while reducing whole body and trunk adiposity. Anabolic improvements were lost 12 wk after discontinuing oxandrolone, whereas improvements in fat mass were largely sustained.
Study of the Effects of Annealing Conditions and Lithium Content on the Electrochemical Performance of Li1.2Mn0.53Ni0.13Co0.13O2 Synthesized Via Spray Pyrolysis (2013)

Abstract not Available.
Hydrogen assisted heat transfer during diamond growth using carbon and tantalum filaments (1992)

Much of the previous work on the role of atomic hydrogen in diamond has been focussed on its formation on various refractory metal filaments. Its reaction in the gas phase and its role in the growth mechanism. In contrast. the effect of atomic hydrogen recombination on substrate heating is addressed in this paper. Experiments were conducted in vacuum. helium and hydrogen environments. Tantalum and carbon filaments were used to vary atomic hydrogen generation rates. Furthermore methane was added in some experiments to determine its effect on hydrogen assisted chemical of the substrate. The results indicate that when substantial amounts of atomic hydrogen are generated at the filament. reactions of atomic hydrogen at the diamond growth surface have a pronounced effect on the substrate temperature. Use of carbon Maments lead to significantly diminished atomic hydrogen generation rates and much lower substrate temperatures. Additions of small amounts of methane to hydrogen also resulted in reduced atomic hydrogen generation rates and consequently, lower substrat temperatures. This document has been approved for public release and sale: its distribution is unlimited.
Influence of feedstock source on the development of polyhydroxyalkanoates-producing mixed microbial cultures in continuously stirred tank reactors (2023)

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are the new frontier of bioplastic production; however, research is needed to develop and characterise efficient mixed microbial communities (MMCs) for their application with a multi-feedstock approach. Here, the performance and composition of six MMCs developed from the same inoculum on different feedstocks were investigated through Illumina sequencing to understand community development and identify possible redundancies in terms of genera and PHA metabolism. High PHA production efficiencies (>80% mg COD<sub>PHA</sub> mg<sup>-1</sup> COD<sub>OA-consumed</sub>) were seen across all samples, but differences in the organic acids (OAs) composition led to different ratios of the monomers poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (3HB) to poly(3-hydroxyvalerate) (3HV). Communities differed across all feedstocks, with enrichments in specific PHA-producing genera, but analysis of potential enzymatic activity identified a certain degree of functional redundancy, possibly leading to the general high efficiency seen in PHA production from all feedstocks. Leading PHAs producers across all feedstocks were identified in genera such as Thauera, Leadbetterella, Neomegalonema and Amaricoccus.
Tumor PIK3CA genotype and prognosis: A pooled analysis of 4,241 patients (pts) with early-stage breast cancer (BC). (2015)

516 Background: PIK3CA mutations (mt) are frequently observed in BC but their clinical relevance is unclear. We performed an individual pt data pooled-analysis to evaluate the prognostic impact of PIK3CA status on early-stage BC. Methods: Participating studies were identified by literature search. Associations of PIK3CA status with clinicopathologic characteristics were tested. Cox regression models were applied adjusting for age, tumor size, nodes, grade, ER and HER2 status, treatment and study. Invasive disease-free survival (IDFS) was the primary endpoint, followed by distant disease-free survival (DDFS), overall and by BC subtypes. Results: Data from 16 studies were included. Median age was 56yrs (18-96) and median follow-up was 6.5yrs; 1384 pts (33%) received chemotherapy, 1147 (27%) endocrine monotherapy, 816 (19%) both and 894 (21%) none/unknown. PIK3CA mt occurred in 26.9%: 55.2% exon 20 and 36.2% exon 9. They were associated with ER+ tumors, increasing age, lower grade (all p < 0.001) and smaller size (p = 0.04). Incidence of PIK3CA mt was 15%, 23%, 32% in the ER-/HER2-, HER2+ and ER+/HER2- subtypes respectively (p < 0.001). In the univariate analysis, PIK3CA mt were associated with better IDFS: HR = 0.85 [95%CI:0.75-0.96]; p = 0.0009. A statistically significant non-proportional prognostic effect was observed (p = 0.02): during the first 3 yrs PIK3CA mt had better IDFS (HR = 0.73 [0.60-0.88]) compared to after 3yrs (IDFS HR = 0.96[0.8-1.1]; P interaction:0.03). There was no significant interaction by BC subtype (p = 0.6) and no significant differences by exon 9 or 20 site (p = 0.7). In the multivariate analysis, PIK3CA status did not remain statistically significant overall (HR = 0.94 [0.8-1.2]; p = 0.6) nor in the first 3 yrs. Results were similar for the DDFS endpoint. In further analyses, a significant interaction between PIK3CA status and age was found, remaining after adjustment (P = 0.04). PIK3CA mutant BCs had significantly better IDFS in women ≤ 50yrs (HR = 0.65 [0.4-0.95]) but not > 50yrs (HR = 1.10 [0.9-1.4]; Pint = 0.01). Conclusions: PIK3CA mutations are associated with a better prognosis. This effect is greatest in young women for whom PIK3CA status could potentially refine treatment decisions.
Tackling obesity: new therapeutic agents for assisted weight loss (2010)

The pandemic of overweight and obesity continues to rise in an alarming rate in western countries and around the globe representing a major public health challenge in desperate need for new strategies tackling obesity. In the United States nearly two thirds of the population is overweight or obese. Worldwide the number of persons who are overweight or obese exceeded 1.6 billion. These rising figures have been clearly associated with increased morbidity and mortality. For example, in the Framingham study, the risk of death increases with each additional pound of weight gain even in the relatively younger population between 30 and 42 years of age. Overweight and obesity are also associated with increased co-morbid conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease as well as certain types of cancer. In this review we discuss the epidemic of obesity, highlighting the pathophysiologic mechanisms of weight gain. We also provide an overview of the assessment of overweight and obese individuals discussing possible secondary causes of obesity. In a detailed section we discuss the currently approved therapeutic interventions for obesity highlighting their mechanisms of action and evidence of their efficacy and safety as provided in clinical trials. Finally, we discuss novel therapeutic interventions that are in various stages of development with a special section on the weight loss effects of anti-diabetic medications. These agents are particularly attractive options for our growing population of obese diabetic individuals.
Unbounded Output Networks for Classification (2018)

We proposed the expected energy-based restricted Boltzmann machine (EE-RBM) as a discriminative RBM method for classification. Two characteristics of the EE-RBM are that the output is unbounded and that the target value of correct classification is set to a value much greater than one. In this study, by adopting features of the EE-RBM approach to feed-forward neural networks, we propose the UnBounded output network (UBnet) which is characterized by three features: (1) unbounded output units; (2) the target value of correct classification is set to a value much greater than one; and (3) the models are trained by a modified mean-squared error objective. We evaluate our approach using the MNIST, CIFAR-10, and CIFAR-100 benchmark datasets. We first demonstrate, for shallow UBnets on MNIST, that a setting of the target value equal to the number of hidden units significantly outperforms a setting of the target value equal to one, and it also outperforms standard neural networks by about 25\%. We then validate our approach by achieving high-level classification performance on the three datasets using unbounded output residual networks. We finally use MNIST to analyze the learned features and weights, and we demonstrate that UBnets are much more robust against adversarial examples than the standard approach of using a softmax output layer and training the networks by a cross-entropy objective.