gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Which is the best sperm retrieval technique for non-obstructive azoospermia? A systematic review (2007)

Our objective was to establish which is the best sperm retrieval technique in non-obstructive azoospermia based on the available evidence. To date, no randomized controlled trial has compared the efficiency of these strategies and thus current recommendations are based on cumulative evidence provided by descriptive, observational and controlled studies. Three outcome measures were assessed for the sperm retrieval techniques: sperm retrieval rate (SRR), complications and live birth rate. Twenty-four descriptive studies reporting on the results of testicular sperm extraction (TESE) were encountered. Seven controlled studies that compared microdissection (MD) TESE with conventional TESE and seven controlled studies comparing fine needle testicular aspiration (FNA) with TESE were identified. The mean SRR for TESE was 49.5% (95% CI 49.0-49.9). TESE with multiple biopsies results in a higher SRR than FNA especially in cases of Sertoli-cell-only (SCO) syndrome and maturation arrest. Current evidence suggests that MD performs better than conventional TESE only in cases of SCO where tubules containing active focus of spermatogenesis can be identified. MD appears to be the safest technique regarding post-operative complications followed by FNA. Only three studies could be identified concerning the influence of the sperm retrieval technique on clinical pregnancy and live birth rate, hence no definitive conclusions can be made. However, so far there appears to be no impact of the technique itself on success rates.
Detecting immigration by using multilocus genotypes (1997)

Immigration is an important force shaping the social structure, evolution, and genetics of populations. A statistical method is presented that uses multilocus genotypes to identify individuals who are immigrants, or have recent immigrant ancestry. The method is appropriate for use with allozymes, microsatellites, or restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) and assumes linkage equilibrium among loci. Potential applications include studies of dispersal among natural populations of animals and plants, human evolutionary studies, and typing zoo animals of unknown origin (for use in captive breeding programs). The method is illustrated by analyzing RFLP genotypes in samples of humans from Australian, Japanese, New Guinean, and Senegalese populations. The test has power to detect immigrant ancestors, for these data, up to two generations in the past even though the overall differentiation of allele frequencies among populations is low.
A Systematic Review of Clinical Characteristics and Histologic Descriptions of Acute Tubular Injury (2020)

ATI manifests with diverse histologic changes. Efforts to establish protocols to harmonize biopsy practices, to handle kidney biopsy for tissue interrogation, and to report results across clinical practice are needed to improve our understanding of this complex disease.
Self‐assembling peptides as injectable lubricants for osteoarthritis (2006)

Abstract The self‐assembly of peptides is explored as an alternative route towards the development of new injectable joint lubricants for osteoarthritis (OA). The versatility of the peptide chemistry allows the incorporation of behavior reminiscent of hyaluronic acid (HA), while the triggered in situ self‐assembly provides easy delivery of the samples by injection due to the low viscosity of the peptide solutions (that are initially monomeric). Using design criteria based on the chemical properties of HA, a range of de novo peptides were prepared with systematic alterations of charge and hydrophilicity that self‐assembled into nematic fluids and gels in physiological solution conditions. The frictional characteristics of the peptides were evaluated using cartilage on cartilage sliding contacts along with their rheological characteristics. Peptide P 11 ‐9, whose molecular, mesoscopic, and rheological properties most closely resembled HA was found to be the most effective lubricant amongst the peptides. In healthy static and dynamic friction testing (corresponding to healthy joints) P 11 ‐9 at 20–40 mg/mL performed similar to HA at 10 mg/mL. In friction tests with damaged cartilage (corresponding to early stage OA) P 11 ‐9 was a less efficient lubricant than HA, but still the best among all the peptides tested. The results indicate that de novo self‐assembling peptides could be developed as an alternate therapeutic lubricant for early stage OA. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2006
Wireless Sensor Networks (2011)

A wireless sensor network is deployed either inside the phenomenon or very close to it. Unlike some existing sensing techniques, the position of sensor network nodes need not be engineered or predetermined. This allows random deployment in inaccessible terrains. On the other hand, this also means that sensor network protocols and algorithms must possess self-organizing capabilities. Another unique feature of sensor networks is the cooperative effort of sensor nodes. Sensor network nodes are fitted with an onboard processor. Instead of sending the raw data to the nodes responsible for the fusion, sensor network nodes use their processing abilities to locally carry out simple computations and transmit only the required and partially processed data. Realization of sensor networks requires wireless ad hoc networking techniques. In this chapter, we present a survey of protocols and algorithms proposed thus far for wireless sensor networks. Our aim is to provide a better understanding of the current research issues in this field. We also attempt an investigation into understanding design constraints and outline the use of certain tools to meet the design objectives.Request access from your librarian to read this chapter's full text.
Modulation of progesterone receptor binding to progesterone response elements by positioned nucleosomes (1992)

In cells, steroid hormone receptors interact with target enhancer elements on nucleosomes to regulate transcription of genes. To elucidate how nucleosomes can potentially regulate the interactions of steroid receptors with steroid response elements, we have examined the effects of nucleosome positioning and histone source on the binding of the progesterone receptor to DNA elements on nucleosomes reconstituted in vitro. We find that the affinity of the receptor for its response element is dependent on the position of the element within the nucleosome, but not on the histone source, active or inactive chromatin. Our results suggest that the strength of DNA-histone interactions within the nucleosome modulates the binding of progesterone receptor to response elements. Thus, nucleosome positioning is likely to influence the function of steroid receptors in vivo.
Expertise identification and visualization from CVS (2008)

As software evolves over time, the identification of expertise becomes an important problem. Component ownership and team awareness of such ownership are signals of solid project. Ownership and ownership awareness are also issues in open-source software (OSS) projects. Indeed, the membership in OSS projects is dynamic with team members arriving and leaving. In large open source projects, specialists who know the system very well are considered experts. How can one identify the experts in a project by mining a particular repository like the source code? Have they gotten help from other people?
Modification of single Na+ channels by batrachotoxin. (1982)

The modifications in the properties of voltage-gated Na+ channels caused by batrachotoxin were studied by using the patch clamp method for measuring single channel currents from excised membranes of N1E-115 neuroblastoma cells. The toxin-modified open state of the Na+ channel has a decreased conductance in comparison to that of normal Na+ channels. The lifetime of the modified open state is drastically prolonged, and channels now continue to open during a maintained depolarization so that the probability of a channel being open becomes constant. Modified and normal open states of Na+ channels coexist in batrachotoxin-exposed membrane patches. Unlike the normal condition, Na+ channels exposed to batrachotoxin open spontaneously at large negative potentials. These spontaneous openings apparently cause the toxin-induced increase in Na+ permeability which, in turn, causes membrane depolarization.
Searching for tunnels of proteins – comparison of approaches and available software tools (2012)

Tunnels are access paths connecting the interior of molecular systems with the surrounding environment. The presence of tunnels in proteins influences their reactivity, as they determine the nature and intensity of the interaction that these proteins can take part in. A few examples of systems whose function relies on tunnels include transmembrane proteins involved in small molecule transport and signal transduction, peptide exit channels through which ribosomes release newly synthesized proteins during transcription Knowledge of the location and characteristics of protein tunnels can find immediate applications in rational drug design, protein engineering, enzymology etc.

Identification and characterization of tunnels has been the focus of several studies, and various algorithms and software tools have been developed for these purposes [1-4]. These methodologies use special mathematical algorithms to represent and scan the surface of the protein in search for tunnels and the amino acid residues involved.

In the presented study we perform a benchmarking study of the most known approaches and software tools for finding tunnels in proteins (Mole, MolAxis, Hollow, etc.). We focused on proteins from the cytochrome P450 family, which are very important from the biological point of view. We provide a critical discussion of the strong and weak points of the analyzed approaches and software tools.
Phenylmaleimide-containing PET-based copolyester: cross-linking from 2π + π cycloaddition toward flame retardance and anti-dripping (2016)

During combustion, 2π + π cycloaddition between phenylmaleimide moieties occurred as cross-linking reaction, which enhanced the char yield to achieve flame retardance and anti-dripping of the copolyester.
Design of a large measurement-volume metrological atomic force microscope (AFM) (2009)

The design of a large measurement-volume metrological atomic force microscope (AFM) is presented. The translation of the sample is accomplished with multiple stages which allow for separate 'coarse' and 'fine' motion. Interferometers and autocollimators are used to measure the position and orientation of the sample. The instrument does not attempt to control position via feedback from the interferometers, thereby allowing use of readily available commercial translation stages and controllers.
Temporal Expression of Elastic Fiber Components in Bladder Development (1998)

Fetal and postnatal bovine bladders were examined for expression of elastic fiber components by immunohistochemistry as well as by measurement of steady state mRNA levels. Expression of fibrillin-1, microfibril-associated glycoprotein (MAGP) and elastin during the fetal period were compared with that of postnatal two year old animals (heifers) and adults. Each bladder was separated into two distinct tissue samples: 1) the outer smooth muscle layer (detrusor) and 2) the inner epithelium (urothelium) lined lamina propria (urotherial-lamina propria). Each of these samples was analyzed separately. Distribution of the elastic fiber components, determined by immunohistochemistry with matrix-specific antibodies, was different depending upon the region of the bladder wall examined and its developmental stage. In particular, MAGP and fibrillin-1 were conspicuously present in the urothelium during the later fetal stages. RNA products of elastic fiber genes were detectable both in the detrusor smooth muscle and urothelial-lamina propria fractions. The highest level of expression occurred in the urothelial-lamina propria fraction during the late second-early third trimester. Elastin expression was different from that of MAGP and fibrillin-1. The highest levels of steady-state elastin mRNA occurred at the earliest developmental stages examined and then progressively decreased through term. A high level of elastin expression occurred within the inner or lamina propria layer of the bladder. Since this layer is the functional capacitance layer within the bladder, its flexibility is likely related to the structural integration of elastin and associated microfibrillar components.
Perspective: Nonequilibrium dynamics of localized and delocalized excitons in colloidal quantum dot solids (2018)

Self-assembled quantum dot (QD) solids are a highly tunable class of materials with a wide range of applications in solid-state electronics and optoelectronic devices. In this perspective, the authors highlight how the presence of microscopic disorder in these materials can influence their macroscopic optoelectronic properties. Specifically, they consider the dynamics of excitons in energetically disordered QD solids using a theoretical model framework for both localized and delocalized excitonic regimes. In both cases, they emphasize the tendency of energetic disorder to promote nonequilibrium relaxation dynamics and discuss how the signatures of these nonequilibrium effects manifest in time-dependent spectral measurements. Moreover, they describe the connection between the microscopic dynamics of excitons within the material and the measurement of material specific parameters, such as emission linewidth broadening and energetic dissipation rate.
Erratum: High resistance mode in a modified Penning Discharge [J. Appl. Phys. 5 2, 5489 (1981)] (1983)

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An open solution to fault-tolerant Ethernet: design, prototyping, and evaluation (1999)

Presented is an open solution based approach to fault tolerant Ethernet for process control networks. This unique approach provides fault tolerance capability that requires no change of vendor hardware (Ethernet physical link and Network Interface Card) and software (Ethernet driver and protocol), yet it is transparent to control applications. The open fault tolerant Ethernet (OFTE) developed based on this approach performs failure detection and recovery for handling single point of network failure and serves regular IP traffic. Our experimentation shows that OFTE performs efficiently, achieving less than 1 ms end to end LAN swapping time and less than 2 sec failover time, and that concurrent application and system loads have little impact on the performance of failure detection and recovery operations.
Effects of the hepatotoxic agents retrorsine and aflatoxin B1 on hepatic protein synthesis in the rat (1968)

1. Aflatoxin and the pyrrolizidine alkaloid retrorsine inhibited the incorporation of labelled amino acids into rat liver and plasma proteins in vivo. Inhibition was greater and detected earlier with retrorsine (1hr.) than with aflatoxin (3hr.). 2. Both toxins affected the liver ribosomal aggregates, causing increases in the proportion of monomers plus dimers. The effect of retrorsine was greater than that of aflatoxin. 3. Incorporation of labelled amino acids into proteins of cell-free preparations of liver from rats treated with aflatoxin was lower than in control preparations. The main site of inhibition appeared to be the ribosomes. 4. Both toxins inhibited the incorporation of orotate into liver nuclear RNA 1hr. after administration.
Complement-independent mechanisms of antigraft antibodies in transplant arteriosclerosis and accommodation (2004)

Purpose of review Patients exhibiting a humoral immune response to the allograft demonstrate a lower graft survival and an increased risk of the development of transplant arteriosclerosis. Unfortunately, current immunosuppressive regimens are not effective in controlling the humoral response to the allograft. This article focuses on the recent progress made toward understanding the role of antigraft antibodies in chronic rejection and graft accommodation. Recent findings Recent studies suggest that antigraft antibodies play an important role in controlling endothelial and smooth muscle cell homeostasis, in the absence of complement, by binding to ligands on the surface of the cell and transducing intracellular signals. Antigraft antibodies exhibit two primary effector functions: stimulation of cell proliferation and upregulation of cell survival genes. The intracellular events initiated by antibody ligation appear to be influenced by the cell type, specificity, and concentration of the antibody and the degree of molecular aggregation. Summary Characterizing the response of endothelial and smooth muscle cells to antigraft antibodies and elucidating the signaling pathways have the potential to identify novel immunotherapies to promote cell survival while preventing transplant arteriosclerosis.
Insulation performance evaluation of HV AC/DC XLPE cables by 0.1 Hz tan δ test on circumferentially peeled samples (2017)

The XLPE insulations of three 110 kV AC cables with different manufacturers and operation histories and two 160 kV DC cables before and after the one-year prequalification test are studied in this paper. Slice samples are taken from different radial locations of the cable insulation layers by a circumferential peeling method and measurements of discharge current, dielectric spectrum and VLF loss angle tangent are carried out on the inner, middle and outer insulation parts respectively. It is found that for AC cables under test, the older the cable is, the more slowly the discharge current decays, and the greater the performances of three parts differ. As for the dielectric spectrums, tan δ decreases when the frequency increases from 0.05 to 1,000 Hz, and a longer service life causes a larger amplitude of variation. Besides, the three insulation parts give similar values of tan δ at 50 Hz, while those at 0.1 Hz differ from each other, especially for cables long-term service-aged. A characteristic parameter defined as the ratio of tan δ under 0.1 Hz to 50 Hz is proposed for the purpose of insulation condition evaluation, and its value becomes larger as the result of site operation for AC cables and long-term test for DC cables. VLF tan δ are measured under four levels of the 0.1 Hz voltage, and a normalization processing is performed by using outer part as the reference for AC cables and middle part for DC ones. The deterioration degree of material property can be reflected by not only the voltage stability of tan δ value, but also the performance difference among different parts of a cable insulation body. The electrical and thermal stresses, either from the site operation or from laboratory tests, can result in a decreased voltage stability and an increased performance difference. Since above conclusions are applicable to the XLPE insulation under AC operation and DC test, the preliminary work of this paper can be considered as a good start for the exploration of using VLF tan δ to assess the insulation condition of HV AC and DC cables.
Design and pumping characteristics of a compact titanium–vanadium non-evaporable getter pump (1998)

A compact non-evaporable getter (NEG) pump is made by stacking sintered titanium–vanadium blades recently available from SAES Getters as St185. The 50 blades are stacked between copper spacers on a stainless steel tube, and are activated by a removable heater cartridge inserted into the tube. The room temperature pumping speeds for CO and N2 are measured as a function of sorbed gas quantities at various activation temperatures and with different NEG disk spacing, in order to optimize the pump design and operation. The study shows that there is a threshold of activation at a temperature of about 340 °C and optimal pumping speed and pumping capacity can be achieved with activation temperature around 550 °C. Linear pumping speeds of about 2200 l/s m and 1300 l/s m can be achieved for CO and N2, respectively, with activation at temperatures of 500 °C for 1 h. A direct comparison shows a much higher pumping speed for the St185 than that for the St707 (Zr–V–Fe alloy, also by SAES Getters). The low activation temperature of the St185 NEG and the compact design make the NEG pump cartridge particularly attractive for situations with tight space and with components sensitive to high temperature.
Mesenchymal stem cells in human second-trimester bone marrow, liver, lung, and spleen exhibit a similar immunophenotype but a heterogeneous multilineage differentiation potential. (2003)

Our results indicate that culture-expanded MSC derived from second-trimester fetal tissues, although phenotypically similar, exhibit heterogeneity in differentiating potential. We speculate that these differences may be relevant for the clinical application of MSC.
(3R,3aR,6R,6aR)-Hexahydrofuro[3,2-b]furan-3,6-diyl dibenzoate (2013)

The title compound, C20H18O6, prepared from d-mannitol by a two-step procedure, is a functionalized fused bis-tetra-hydro-furan. In the central fragment, consisting of two fused tetra-hydro-furan rings, one O atom and its two adjacent C atoms, a methyl-ene and a bridgehead C atom, are disordered over two sets of sites with an occupancy ratio of 0.735 (9):0.265 (9). In the major component, the ring containing the disordered O atom is a half-chair conformation with twisted methylene and benzoate-substituted C atoms, whereas the other ring has a half-chair or T-form conformation. In the minor component, the ring with the disordered O atom has an envelope conformation, with the O atom as the flap, and the other ring has a half-chair conformation, with the O atom and the other bridgehead CH atom being twisted. The two aromatic rings are inclined to one another by 20.00 (12)°. In the crystal, adjacent molecules are linked via C-H⋯π interactions, forming chains propagating along [010].
Comparison of Direct Entry and Face to Face Delivery of the Sports Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT) Symptoms (2021)

Background: With an increase in sport-related concussions and heightened accessibility of technology, computer-based assessments via direct entry have become widely used among sports medicine professionals. However, the validity of direct entry as compared to face to face interviews on a common concussion assessment tool has not been examined.

Purpose: Thus, the aims of this study were 1) to compare the results of the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT) symptoms using direct entry and face to face interview protocols; 2) to assess for gender differences in reporting modalities.

Study Design: Cross-sectional.

Methods: Three hundred and eighty-five (N=385) National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III student-athletes completed the study. Participants completed the SCAT symptoms via face to face interviews and a participant direct entry platform. Correlations and KAPPA statistics were used to compare the results of the assessment protocols.

Results: Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient ranged from r=0.189–0.775 (P<0.001) for the total group; r=0.142–0.788 (P<0.001) among males; and, r=0.093-0.743 (P<0.001) among females. KAPPA statistics for the total group, males and females, ranged from 0.089-0.620 (P<0.001), demonstrating poor-to-good strength.

Conclusion: Overall, these findings suggest that the direct entry platform is an acceptable mechanism for data collection, particularly in female populations.