gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Plasma Gasification Process Modeling and Energy Recovery From Solid Waste (2011)

In recent studies, plasma gasification has shown great potential as an effective method for solid waste treatment and energy recovery. In this study, a plasma gasification process is simulated based on a chemical equilibrium model developed in Aspen Plus. The model takes into account the properties of different feedstock, used for gasification, and the input plasma energy and evaluates the output syngas composition following a Gibbs free energy minimization approach. The model is used to evaluate plasma gasification of three types of feedstock i.e. industrial waste (shredded tires), construction waste (plywood), and baseline bituminous coal. The process is optimized for two different types of plasma gas: air and steam. Process metrics are evaluated and compared for the considered feedstock. Results showed an obtained plasma gasification efficiency of 46.4% for shredded tires and 41.1% for plywood and bituminous coal. Energy recovery potential is also evaluated using an integrated plasma gasification combined cycle (IPGCC) power plant model. Thermal efficiencies of the process are evaluated and compared for the different feedstock. Plasma gasification of waste tire material resulted in an energy efficiency of 28.5%, while the efficiency for coal and plywood was lower at 20.0% and 18.3%, respectively.
OP18.09: Impact of maternal anxiety on intrauterine growth and fetoplacental circulation in late third trimester (2017)

To explore the role of maternal anxiety on intrauterine growth and fetoplacental Doppler indices at 37 gestational weeks in delivering small-for-gestational age (SGA) neonates. A prospective cohort, including uncomplicated pregnancies scanned at 37 weeks', was constructed. Maternal anxiety was assessed using the 40-items Spielberg State-Trait Anxiety Inventories for trait (STAI-T) and state and (STAI-S), before the ultrasound evaluation (fetal biometry and fetoplacental Doppler ultrasound). Alert in anxiety level was established by a cut-off of 37, corresponding to 80th centile in Spanish pregnant women. SGA was defined as a customised birth weight less than 10th centile, according to local standards. A total of 275 pregnancies were included. Among them, 239 (86.9%) were qualifying for delivering appropriate-for gestational age (AGA) and 36 (13.1%) for SGA neonates, respectively. Statistically significant differences were found between SGA and AGA in the mean of STAI-T score [64.4 (SD, 18.7) vs 29 (SD, 27); p<0.001] and STAI-S score [57.9 (SD, 22.1) vs 21.2 (SD, 22.6); p<0.001]. Mothers of SGA babies presented significant high level of anxiety when compared with those of appropriate birth weight [94.4% vs 0.8%; p<0.001]. By logistic regression, after adjustment for maternal age, nulliparity, smoking status, low socio-economic status, considered as potential confounders, high level of anxiety was associated to EFW less than 10th centile [OR=0.98 (95%CI 0.97-0.99); p<0.001], abnormal flow in UA [OR=0.42 (95%CI 0.21-0.88); p=0.020] and pathological CPR [OR=0.64 (95%CI 0.47-0.88); p=0.007]. At 37 weeks, alert anxiety levels in mothers delivering SGA babies were independently associated to changes in both fetal size and circulation. The amount to which maternal psychological status might affect the fetal growth and hemodynamic should be considered in the clinical practice and deserve further investigation.
Characterization of a novel endopolygalacturonase fromAspergillus nigerwith unique kinetic properties (2000)

We isolated and characterized a new type of endopolygalacturonase (PG)-encoding gene, pgaD, from Aspergillus niger. The primary structure of PGD differs from that of other A. niger PGs by a 136 amino acid residues long N-terminal extension. Biochemical analysis demonstrated extreme processive behavior of the enzyme on oligomers longer than five galacturonate units. Furthermore, PGD is the only A. niger PG capable of hydrolyzing di-galacturonate. It is tentatively concluded that the enzyme is composed of four subsites. The physiological role of PGD is discussed.
ChemInform Abstract: Synthesis and Characterization of a Chiral Nonplanar Porphyrin. (2000)

Abstract ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 100 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
Predicting the performance of existing pre-cast concrete pipes using destructive and non-destructive testing techniques (2023)

One of the most significant and critical urban assets for a sustainable community is the sewer pipeline network and water distribution system. Water sewer networks and distribution systems have a definite service life span to provide continuous facilities to end users. Therefore, it is pertinent to continuously evaluate the condition of water and sewer concrete pipelines to ensure the reliable, sustainable, and cost-efficient transport of water and sewerage for the safety of society. The condition assessment is commonly carried out by visual observations followed by some non-destructive testing methods. However, it is the need of the hour to shift assessment methods to advance assessment techniques to save time and money for our community. Currently, in this project, the condition assessment of pre-cast concrete pipes was carried out by destructive and non-destructive methods. Different test trials i.e., ultra-sonic pulse velocity, Schmidt hammer also known as rebound hammer test, visual inspection, three edge bearing test, and core cutting test on the old buried and new concrete pipes were performed. It was observed that concrete used for the construction of existing precast concrete pipes still has better quality indices after 20 years as compared to that of concrete of new pipes. However, steel has deteriorated with time and clear corrosion of steel was identified in existing pre-cast concrete pipes. At the same time, it was observed that there should be an automated mechanism to continuously asses the condition of pre-cast existing pipes which will address the sustainable development goals (SDG 6, 9, 11). Consequently, it can be said that condition assessment of pre-cast concrete pipes will lead to sustainable societies and infrastructure.
Slow Pulse Repetition Interval Variation for High-Resolution Wide-Swath SAR Imaging (2020)

In the context of spaceborne synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging, high resolution and wide swath are inherently conflicting requirements. These may, however, be simultaneously satisfied by advanced imaging modes with multichannel architectures in elevation and/or azimuth. This article elaborates on a new mode based on multiple elevation beams and a simple pulse repetition interval (PRI) variation scheme which allows high-resolution wide-swath imaging. It is shown to use the illumination time more efficiently than ScanSAR and yet to be simpler than staggered SAR. Good SAR imaging performance is achieved with a rather compact antenna design. The proposed imaging mode is suitable for spaceborne SAR systems with planar and reflector antennas. In order to improve the imaging performance, a reflector antenna architecture with a multichannel feed in both elevation and azimuth is considered.
Cloud Analytics for Capacity Planning and Instant VM Provisioning (2013)

The popularity of cloud service spurs the increasing demands of virtual resources to the service vendors. Along with the promising business opportunities, it also brings new technique challenges such as effective capacity planning and instant cloud resource provisioning. In this paper, we describe our research efforts on improving the service quality for the capacity planning and instant cloud resource provisioning problem. We first formulate both of the two problems as a generic cost-sensitive prediction problem. Then, considering the highly dynamic environment of cloud, we propose an asymmetric and heterogeneous measure to quantify the prediction error. Finally, we design an ensemble prediction mechanism by combining the prediction power of a set of prediction techniques based on the proposed measure. To evaluate the effectiveness of our proposed solution, we design and implement an integrated prototype system to help improve the service quality of the cloud. Our system considers many practical situations of the cloud system, and is able to dynamically adapt to the changing environment. A series of experiments on the IBM Smart Cloud Enterprise (SCE) trace data demonstrate that our method can significantly improve the service quality by reducing the resource provisioning time while maintaining a low cloud overhead.
Using a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) device to produce proton exchange membranes at atmospheric pressure for PEMFC technology (2016)

peer reviewed
Application of downhole and surface geothermal heat flux and thermal conductivity transducers in geothermal reserve assessments (1978)

How a downhole rod heat flux transducer can be modified with clamp-on tubular sections so that it can fit into holes of different sizes is described. In addition, methods are discussed by which a downhole thermal conductivity probe can be modified to be used in holes with different diameters. Also, a short, cylindrical thermal conductivity transducer for use at the bottom of a hole is described and evaluated. For the sake of completeness, heat flux and thermal conductivity transducers for use at the surface of the earth are also reviewed and discussed.
New method to make a smooth surface on Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) substrate (2020)

CFRP is a composite material composed of carbon fiber and resin. CFRP is commonly applied to the aerospace industry which requires lightweight and intensity. Thanks to superior formability of CFRP, we can form shape of Wolter-1 optics, which consists of paraboloid and hyperboloid, to a monolithic substrate. Since the surface roughness of a CFRP substrate is a few µm, we have to make the smooth surface for reflecting X-rays on the CFRP substrate. We have developed a new method of shaping the reflective surface instead of the replica method used in lightweight X-ray mirrors such as Astro-H. In the new method, the reflective surface is formed by pasting thin sheet-glasses with 100 µm thick onto the CFRP substrate. The thin sheet-glass has a surface roughness about 0.4 nm as measured by Zygo. We fabricated a CFRP mirror pasting thin sheet-glasses, and then coated tungsten on the mirror in June 2020. The figure error (s) of the CFRP mirror was achieved to be about 1-2 &mu;m by stacking the CFRP mirror on the housing module. X-ray imaging quality of the CFRP mirror was measured at Spring-8 in July 2020. The half-power diameter of the CFRP mirror was estimated to be about 150 arcsec, which was nearly equal to the prediction from a distribution of the slope error deduced from the surface profile. We describe a future plan to improve the image quality of the CFRP mirror.
GSK3β inactivation induces apoptosis of leukemia cells by repressing the function of c-Myb (2011)

Glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) regulates diverse physiological processes, including metabolism, development, oncogenesis, and neuroprotection. GSK3β kinase activity has been reported to be critical for various types of cancer cells, but the mechanism has remained elusive. In this study we examine the mechanism by which GSK3β regulates the survival of leukemia cells. We demonstrate that upon GSK3β kinase inhibition different types of leukemia cells show severe proliferation defects as a result of apoptosis. The transcription factor c-Myb is found to be the main target of GSK3β inhibition in cell survival. GSK3β inactivation reduces the expression of c-Myb by promoting its ubiquitination-mediated degradation, thereby inhibiting the expression of c-Myb-dependent antiapoptotic genes Bcl2 and survivin. Coimmunoprecipitation, reporter assays, chromatin immunoprecipitation, and knockdown studies show that c-Myb needs to interact and cooperate with transcription factor LEF-1 in the activation of Bcl2 and survivin and that both transcription factors are required for cell survival. These data reveal an as-yet-unknown mechanism by which GSK3β controls cell survival.
Ultrahigh-speed line-scan SD-OCT for four-dimensional in vivo imaging of small animal models (2018)

We report an ultrahigh-speed and high-resolution line-scan spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) system that integrates a number of mechanisms for improving image quality. The illumination uniformity is significantly improved by the use of a Powell lens; Phase stepping and differential reconstruction are combined to suppress autocorrelation artifacts; Nonlocal means (NLM) is employed to enhance the signal to noise ratio while minimizing motion artifacts. The system is capable of acquiring cross-sectional images at more than 3,500 B-scans per second with sensitivities between 70dB and 90dB. The high B-scan rate enables image post-processing with nonlocal means, an advanced noise reduction algorithm that affords enhanced morphological details and reduced motion artifacts. The achieved axial and lateral resolutions are 2.0 and 6.2 microns, respectively. We have used this system to acquire four-dimensional (three-dimensional space and one-dimensional time) imaging data from live chicken embryos at up to 40 volumes per second. Dynamic cardiac tissue deformation and blood flow could be clearly visualized at high temporal and spatial resolutions, providing valuable information for understanding the mechanical and fluid dynamic properties of the developing cardiac system.
Is metronomic vinorelbine (mVRL) able to inhibit both HUVEC and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells? The proof-of-concept VICTOR-0 study. (2017)

e14014 Background: TNBC represents an important clinical challenge because of poor prognosis. One of the emerging strategy to achieve disease control while reducing toxicity is metronomic chemotherapy (mCHT) which targets the endothelial cells (ECs) and inhibits the tumor growth. mVRL is a promising option in patients (pts) with metastatic breast cancer (MBC), resulting in a median PFS of 7.7 months and median OS of 15.9. To better explain the effect of mVRL we studied the effects of metronomic doses of VRL in in vitro models and compared them with standard doses of the same drug. Methods: Cell viability and cytotoxicity assays were performed on TNBC cancer cells (MDA-MB-231) and Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVEC). Cell lines were exposed to different concentration (0,01nM-1mM) of VRL for 4 and 96 h. To simulate the metronomic dosing schedule, we replaced the drug-enriched medium every 24h, while to simulate the conventional administration protocol (sCHT) cells were exposed to VRL for 4h, then the medium was changed and replaced with fresh medium without drug every 24 h. The IC 50 was calculated by non-linear regression fit of the mean values of data obtained in triplicate experiments. Results: A significant anti-proliferative activity was observed on both HUVEC and MDA cells treated with VRL in mCHT as compared to sCHT protocol (see Table). These lower drug concentrations did not have remarkable effects on cell death. Conversely, the higher dose utilized in sCHT produced important cell death in MDA as well as in HUVEC, even if in vivo, the higher dose of drug inducing the largest apoptosis of cancer cells also affectd healthy proliferating cells causing toxicity. Our findings suggest that mCHT inhibited the proliferation of both endothelial and tumour cells and can block cancer progression with minor side effects. Conclusions: This study provides the proof-of-concept that metronomic doses of VRL, but not the standard ones, are able to inhibit, at the same concentration, both the ECs and the TNBC cells. The clinical trial TEMPO-BREAST, which compares metronomic vs standard VRL, is ongoing in MBC pts. [Table: see text]
Periodic Pulse Electrodeposition to Synthesize Ultra-high Density CdS Nanowire Arrays Templated by SBA-15 Mesoporous Films (2004)

Abstract The high-density CdS nanowire arrays, which are the negative replica of the parent mesoporous thin films with a stoichiometric composition, have been synthesized through a newly developed periodic pulse electrodeposition route.
Methylprednisolone impairs conidial phagocytosis but does not attenuate hyphal damage by neutrophils against Exserohilum rostratum (2014)

Exserohilum rostratum caused a multistate fungal meningitis outbreak following iatrogenic inoculation of contaminated methylprednisolone in the United States. To gain insight into the immunopathogenesis of this infection, we studied the innate host responses of human neutrophils against E. rostratum conidia and hyphae with or without methylprednisolone. The neutrophil-induced percentage fungal damage against conidia and hyphae was effector-to-target ratio dependent (≤55%). While methylprednisolone did not affect neutrophil-induced fungal damage by treatment of Exserohilum or neutrophils, it compromised phagocytosis of conidia (P < 0.05). These findings suggest that methylprednisolone-treated neutrophils may have altered phagocytic clearance of Exserohilum conidia, reducing host capacity to contain the invasive process.
Respiratory Mask and Valves for Dogs (1946)

The units to be described were developed in this laboratory for the purpose of collecting expired air of unanesthetized, trained dogs. The avoidance of leaks, minimization of resistance to breathing and of dead space were prime factors considered in designing the apparatus. No new fundamental principles are involved; rather, the apparatus embodies good features of older designs, eliminates some of the bad and utilizes new devices, to our knowledge never previously described. Mask. The mask consists of a copper wire frame, on the order of carefully shaped commercial wire muzzle, made to fit loosely the snout of a 15 kg mongrel hound. The nasal end is projected about 1” beyond the nose and fitted with a No. 9 stopper with a single 3/8” bore. The open end is bent to fit the snout near the lip corners with about 1/4” clearance. Eight longitudinal wires spaced evenly around the frame serve to give good support and shape to the covering material. The finished frame (Fig. 1) is wrapped with 3 or 4 thicknesses of plaster bandage, allowed to dry overnight and soaked for an hour in melted paraffin. A latex surgeon's glove, size 8, from which the fingers are removed is stretched over the open end of the mask and secured by wrapping tightly with string and brushing with molten paraffin; about 3” of the wrist end of the glove is allowed to project as a sleeve. In use, the sleeve is stretched over the dog's muzzle to beyond the lip corners and invaginated into the mask by sliding the latter toward the eyes. Two rubber strips cemented to the end of the sleeve and tied together behind the ears prevent rolling of the glove and exposure of the lip corners during a measurement.
Compressive mechanical force augments osteoclastogenesis by bone marrow macrophages through activation of c‐Fms‐mediated signaling (2010)

Little is known about the effects of mechanical forces on osteoclastogenesis by bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) in the absence of mechanosensitive cells, including osteoblasts and fibroblasts. In this study, we examined the effects of mechanical force on osteoclastogenesis by applying centrifugal force to BMMs using a horizontal microplate rotor. Our findings, as measured by an in vitro model system, show that tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α is capable of inducing osteoclast differentiation from BMMs and bone resorption in the presence of macrophage-colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) and is further facilitated by receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) ligand (RANKL). Application of force to BMMs accelerated TNF-α-induced osteoclastogenesis; this was inhibited either by anti-TNF-α or anti-TNF-α receptor but not by OPG. TNF-α also increased c-Fms expression at both mRNA and protein levels in BMMs. An anti-c-Fms antibody completely inhibited osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption induced by TNF-α but partially blocked osteoclastogenesis stimulated in combination with RANKL. These results suggest that TNF-α (in the presence of M-CSF) is capable of inducing osteoclastogenesis from BMMs, and that osteoclastogenesis is significantly stimulated by force application through the activation of c-Fms-mediated signaling. Overall, the present study reveals the facilitating effect of mechanical force on osteoclastic differentiation from BMMs without the addition of mechanosensitive cells.
Programmed cell death of keratinocytes culminates in apoptotic secretion of a humectant upon secretagogue action of acetylcholine (2001)

The programmed cell death of the stratified squamous epithelial cells comprising human epidermis culminates in abrupt transition of viable granular keratinocytes (KC) into dead corneocytes sloughed by the skin. The granular cell-corneocyte transition is associated with a loss in volume and dry cell weight but the mechanism for and biological significance of this form of keratinocyte apoptosis remain obscure. We show that terminally differentiated KC extrude into the intercellular spaces of living epidermis the cytoplasmic buds containing randomly congregated components of the cytosol as well as filaggrin, a precursor of the natural moisturizing factor. The discharge of secretory product is reminiscent of holocrine secretion, suggesting the term 'apoptotic secretion' for this novel, essential step in the process of cornification. The secretory product may become a part of the glycocalyx (a.k.a. 'intercellular cement substance' of epidermis) and serve as a humectant that counterbalances the osmotic pressure imposed by the natural moisturizing factor located in the stratum corneum comprised by corneocytes. The apoptotic secretion commences upon secretagouge action of acetylcholine which is synthesized and released by KC. A combination of a cholinergic nicotinic agonist and a muscarinic antagonist which increases intracellular calcium levels is required to trigger the apoptotic secretion. Analysis of the relative amounts of cholinergic enzymes and receptors expressed by KC capable of secretion and the pharmacological profiles of secretion regulation revealed an upward concentration gradient of free acetylcholine in epidermis which may provide for its unopposed secretagogue action via the m1 muscarinic and the alpha7, and alpha9 nicotinic receptor types expressed by KC at the latest stage of their development in the epidermis.