gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Comparison of laparoscopic and transcervical insemination with frozen semen in Sarda dairy ewes (1998)

Abstract Laparoscopic insemination with frozen-thawed semen is currently used for planned matings in the Sarda breeding programme. In order to find a fast and less intrusive artificial insemination (AI) method that could replace laparoscopic insemination, a field comparison of laparoscopic and transcervical techniques was carried out on 200 mature Sarda ewes. After AI, ewes were assigned to teaser and fertile rams for 2 months. Return rates and cumulative (AI + natural mating) lambing rates were recorded over three subsequent 23-day periods. Lambing rates to AI were significantly different ( P &lt; 0·01), and were 62% and 7% respectively for laparoscopic and transcervical AI. Cumulative lambing rates after two further 23-day periods of natural mating were no longer significantly different (P &gt; 0·05) and reached 82% and 74% respectively. Ewes with body condition scores at AI higher than 2·75 showed better overall reproductive performance, but not higher pregnancy rate to AI. Plasma cortisol concentrations, sampled twice, before and after AI, were higher ( P &lt; 0·01) in the last sample, suggesting a stress response to insemination. Cortisol levels after AI were lower ( P &lt; 0·01) for ewes submitted to transcervical rather than laparoscopic insemination ( P &lt; 0·01). However, cortisol levels after AI were no greater than those recorded when ewes were restrained in a milking yoke different from that usually employed. Laparoscopic AI was confirmed as the most suitable technique for insemination offrozen semen in the Sarda breeding scheme.
Metals: Microbial Processes Affecting Metals (2003)

Abstract Microbial Processes Affecting Metals Microbial Solubilization of Metals Microbial Redox Transformations of Metals Heavy Metal Toxicities to Microorganisms Heavy Metal–Resistance Mechanisms
Synthesis of selectively trifluoromethylated pyridine derivaties as potential antihypertensives (1988)

Abstract A general synthesis of selectively 6‐(trifluoromethyl)‐substitued 2(1 H )‐pyridinones is described. Further transformation of one of these compounds leads to the new CF 3 ‐containing potassium‐channel openers 2a and 2b .
Oxytocin versus prostaglandins for labour Induction of women with an unfavourable cervix after 24 hours of cervical ripening (OPIC): protocol for an open multicentre randomised non-inferiority trial (2023)

NCT04949633.
Current Methods for Identifying Plasma Membrane Proteins as Cancer Biomarkers (2023)

Plasma membrane proteins are a special class of biomolecules present on the cellular membrane. They provide the transport of ions, small molecules, and water in response to internal and external signals, define a cell's immunological identity, and facilitate intra- and intercellular communication. Since they are vital to almost all cellular functions, their mutants, or aberrant expression is linked to many diseases, including cancer, where they are a part of cancer cell-specific molecular signatures and phenotypes. In addition, their surface-exposed domains make them exciting biomarkers for targeting by imaging agents and drugs. This review looks at the challenges in identifying cancer-related cell membrane proteins and the current methodologies that solve most of the challenges. We classified the methodologies as biased, i.e., search cells for the presence of already known membrane proteins. Second, we discuss the unbiased methods that can identify proteins without prior knowledge of what they are. Finally, we discuss the potential impact of membrane proteins on the early detection and treatment of cancer.
ETUDE ET ELABORATION D'UN SYSTEME DE MAINTENANCE PREDICTIVE POUR LES CONDENSATEURS ET LES BATTERIES UTILISES DANS LES ALIMENTATIONS SANS INTERRUPTIONS (ASI) (2010)

Pour assurer une energie electrique de qualite et de facon permanente, il existe des systemes electroniques d'alimentation specifiques. Il s'agit des Alimentations Sans Interruptions (ASI). Une ASI comme tout autre systeme peut tomber en panne ce qui peut entrainer une perte de redondance. Cette perte induit une maintenance corrective donc une forme d'indisponibilite ce qui represente un cout. Nous proposons dans cette these de travailler sur deux composants parmi les plus sensibles dans les ASI a savoir les condensateurs electrolytiques et les batteries au plomb. Dans une premiere phase, nous presentons, les systemes de surveillance existants pour ces deux composants en soulignant leurs principaux inconvenients. Ceci nous permet de proposer le cahier des charges a mettre en oeuvre. Pour les condensateurs electrolytiques, nous detaillons les differentes etapes de caracterisation et de vieillissement ainsi que la procedure experimentale de vieillissement standard accelere et les resultats associes. D'autre part, nous presentons les resultats de simulation du systeme de surveillance et de prediction de pannes retenu. Nous abordons la validation experimentale en decrivant le systeme developpe. Nous detaillons les cartes electroniques concues, les algorithmes mis en oeuvre et leurs contraintes d'implementation respectifs pour une realisation temps reel. Enfin, pour les batteries au plomb etanches, nous presentons les resultats de simulation du systeme de surveillance retenu permettant d'obtenir le SOC et le SOH. Nous detaillons la procedure experimentale de vieillissement en cycles de charge et decharge de la batterie necessaire pour avoir un modele electrique simple et precis. Nous expliquons les resultats experimentaux de vieillissement pour finir avec des propositions d'amelioration de notre systeme afin d'obtenir un SOH plus precis.
Platelet‐activating activity in synovial fluids of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and noninflammatory arthropathies (1980)

Abstract The predominant activating activity in rheumatoid synovial fluid for human platelets, as assessed by the release of 11 C serotonin, was previously isolated and shown to be a complex of IgG of molecular weight 450,000. Thus, a pooled 5 ml concentrate of the 450,000 molecular weight fraction obtained by Sepharose 66 gel filtration of 1 ml of synovial fluid was used to compare the platelet‐activating activity (PAA) of fluids from 28 patients with inflammatory and noninflammatory ar‐thropathies. One unit of PAA was arbitrarily defined as that volume of the 5 ml concentrate required to obtain release equal to that obtained with a standard dose of thrombin, and total units per milliliter of synovial fluid were calculated as the reciprocal of the volume of concentrate in milliliters containing one unit multiplied by five. A platelet‐activating activity of &gt;766 units/ml of synovial fluid was arbitrarily defined as elevated, since this value represents two standard deviations above the mean for the noninflammatory synovial fluids. Each of 7 noninflammatory fluids (range &lt;50 to 695) and 3 of 4 gouty fluids (range &lt;50 to 1,250) fell within the normal range, whereas 9 of 13 adult rheumatoid fluids (range &lt;50 to 11,880), and 4 of 4 JRA fluids (range 1,299 to 5,100) had elevated levels of PAA per ml of synovial fluid. The finding that the purified synovial fluid 450,000 molecular weight complex of IgG was inhibited in its platelet‐activating capacity by purified monoclonal rheumatoid factor suggests that a role for IgM rheumatoid factor could be to block IgG complex Fc receptor‐dependent proinflammatory effects on platelets, and perhaps other cells.
Airway Hyperresponsiveness and Airway Obstruction in Transgenic Mice: Morphologic Correlates in Mice Overexpressing Interleukin (IL)-11 and IL-6 in the Lung (2000)

Understanding the sources of variation in airway reactivity and airflow is important for unraveling the pathophysiology of asthma, obstructive lung disease, and other pulmonary disorders. Transgenic expression of two closely related cytokines in the mouse lung produced opposite effects on these parameters. Interleukin (IL)-6 did not alter basal airways resistance and decreased methacholine responsiveness, whereas IL-11 caused airways obstruction and increased airway responses to methacholine. To clarify these differences we examined histologic sections and used morphometry to compare bronchiolar and parenchymal dimensions in 1- to 2-mo-old transgenic mice expressing IL-6 or IL-11 and littermate control mice. Both transgenic strains showed similar emphysema-like airspace enlargement, nodular peribronchiolar collections of mononuclear cells, thickening of airway walls, and subepithelial airway fibrosis. When compared with littermate control mice, the IL-6 mice showed an approximately 50% increase in the caliber of their bronchioles and an increase in airway wall thickness that was in proportion to the increase in the size of their airways. In contrast, the remodeling response was more robust in the IL-11 transgenic mice. It was also seen in airways with normal external and luminal diameters and thus was out of proportion to the caliber of their airways. These results support the hypothesis that structural alterations and resulting caliber changes of respiratory airways can have important effects on airway physiology and reactivity.
Lateral power MOSFET low-doped drain (LDD) misalignment test structure (2002)

We have designed and evaluated an electrical test structure capable of detecting sub-micron shifts in the alignment of the Low-Doped Drain (LDD) region relative to the gate of a lateral power MOSFET. The test structure consists of four identical high-voltage transistors geometrically rotated in 90/spl deg/ increments relative to each other. Under suitable transistor biasing conditions, a shift in the position of the mask defining the edge of the LDD region is shown to produce a linear response in the I/sub DS/ of the affected test transistors. The dependence of the transistor current on the LDD region length is then used to electrically monitor this critical mask alignment.
Purification of a novel fructosyltransferase from Lactobacillus reuteri strain 121 and characterization of the levan produced (2001)

Fructosyltransferase (FTF) enzymes have been characterized from various Gram-positive bacteria, but not from Lactobacillus sp. In a screening of 182 lactobacilli for polysaccharide production only one strain, Lactobacillus reuteri strain 121, was found to produce a fructan being a levan. Here we report the first-time identification and biochemical characterization of a Lactobacillus FTF enzyme. When incubated with sucrose the enzyme produced a levan that is identical to that produced by Lb. reuteri strain 121 cells.
UrbanLoco: A Full Sensor Suite Dataset for Mapping and Localization in Urban Scenes (2019)

Mapping and localization is a critical module of autonomous driving, and significant achievements have been reached in this field. Beyond Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), research in point cloud registration, visual feature matching, and inertia navigation has greatly enhanced the accuracy and robustness of mapping and localization in different scenarios. However, highly urbanized scenes are still challenging: LIDAR- and camera-based methods perform poorly with numerous dynamic objects; the GNSS-based solutions experience signal loss and multipath problems; the inertia measurement units (IMU) suffer from drifting. Unfortunately, current public datasets either do not adequately address this urban challenge or do not provide enough sensor information related to mapping and localization. Here we present UrbanLoco: a mapping/localization dataset collected in highly-urbanized environments with a full sensor-suite. The dataset includes 13 trajectories collected in San Francisco and Hong Kong, covering a total length of over 40 kilometers. Our dataset includes a wide variety of urban terrains: urban canyons, bridges, tunnels, sharp turns, etc. More importantly, our dataset includes information from LIDAR, cameras, IMU, and GNSS receivers. Now the dataset is publicly available through the link in the footnote. Dataset Link: https://advdataset2019.wixsite.com/urbanloco.
Hyperbranched-polymer nanocomposite gratings with ultrahigh refractive index modulation amplitudes for volume holographic optical elements (2019)

We report on an experimental investigation of recording a plane-wave volume holographic transmission grating in a photopolymerizable nanoparticle-polymer composite film dispersed with hyperbranched-polymer (HBP) organic nanoparticles in an acrylate monomer blend codoped with an electron donor and acceptor photoinitiator/inhibitor system. The HBP organic nanoparticle possesses the ultrahigh refractive index of 1.82 at 532 nm owing to the inclusion of triazine and aromatic ring units, which provides a large difference in the refractive index between HBP and the formed polymer. It is found that the recorded NPC grating with 23 vol.% HBP dispersion possesses the saturated refractive index modulation amplitude as large as 4.5 x 10<sup>-2</sup> at 532 nm and at recording intensities of a few mW/cm<sup>2</sup>. Obtained results suggest the use of our newly developed HBP-dispersed NPC as volume optical holographic elements for wearable display for augmented and mixed reality.
Analytical Solutions for Polarization Curve and Impedance of the Cathode Catalyst Layer with Fast Oxygen Transport in a PEM Fuel Cell (2014)

We report an exact solution to the system of equations for performance of the cathode catalyst layer (CCL) with fast oxygen transport in a PEM fuel cell. A simple equation for the CCL polarization curve is obtained. Steady–state profiles are used to obtain analytical expression for the CCL impedance. The impedance model is fitted to the experimental Nyquist curves and the CCL parameters resulted from fitting are discussed.
Synthetic Peptide Arrays for Pathway-Level Protein Monitoring by Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (2010)

Effective methods to detect and quantify functionally linked regulatory proteins in complex biological samples are essential for investigating mammalian signaling pathways. Traditional immunoassays depend on proprietary reagents that are difficult to generate and multiplex, whereas global proteomic profiling can be tedious and can miss low abundance proteins. Here, we report a target-driven liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) strategy for selectively examining the levels of multiple low abundance components of signaling pathways which are refractory to standard shotgun screening procedures and hence appear limited in current MS/MS repositories. Our stepwise approach consists of: (i) synthesizing microscale peptide arrays, including heavy isotope-labeled internal standards, for use as high quality references to (ii) build empirically validated high density LC-MS/MS detection assays with a retention time scheduling system that can be used to (iii) identify and quantify endogenous low abundance protein targets in complex biological mixtures with high accuracy by correlation to a spectral database using new software tools. The method offers a flexible, rapid, and cost-effective means for routine proteomic exploration of biological systems including "label-free" quantification, while minimizing spurious interferences. As proof-of-concept, we have examined the abundance of transcription factors and protein kinases mediating pluripotency and self-renewal in embryonic stem cell populations.
Trends and Variations in South Pacific Island and Ocean Surface Temperatures (2003)

An analysis of temperature variability and trends in the South Pacific, mainly in the twentieth century, using data from 40 island stations and optimally interpolated sea surface and night marine air temperature data is presented. The last-named dataset is new and contains improved corrections for changes in the height of thermometer screens as ships have become larger. It is shown that the South Pacific convergence zone plays a pivotal role in both variability and trends in all three datasets. Island, collocated sea surface temperature, and night marine air temperature time series for four large constituent regions are created and analyzed. These have been corrected for artificial changes in variance due to changes in the availability of constituent island stations whose intrinsic variance varies from station to station. The method is described in detail. Objective estimates of uncertainty in the sea surface temperature data are also provided. The results extend previous work, showing that annual and seasonal surface ocean and island air temperatures have increased throughout the South Pacific. Variations in trends in the island and marine data show reasonable consistency, with distinctly different patterns of multidecadal change in the four regions. However, a notable inconsistency is the recent lack of warming in night marine air temperature in one of the tropical regions relative to sea surface temperature, with signs of this effect in a second tropical region. Another tropical region near the South Pacific convergence zone shows recent strong warming in the island data but not in the marine data.
Amphiphilic Block Copolymers as Bile Acid Sorbents:  1. Synthesis of Polystyrene-b-poly(N,N,N-trimethylammoniumethylene acrylamide chloride) (2001)

The systematic investigation of the synthesis of polystyrene-b-poly(N,N,N-trimethylammoniumethylene acrylamide chloride) was accomplished by employing both polystyrene-b-poly(tert-butyl acrylate) and its hydrolyzed derivative, polystyrene-b-poly(acrylic acid) (PS-b-PAA) as starting materials, and coupling them with N,N-dimethylethylenediamine (DMED). The various reactions and intermediates we examined include aluminum amides, acid chlorides, and imides derived from carbodiimides, all in a variety of solvents. We present below our investigation of several synthetic routes and conclude that the carbodiimide coupling of PS-b-PAA with DMED followed by quaternization and counterion exchange is the most effective method of achieving the target. A brief discussion of the merits of each procedure in the context of block copolymers is given, and IR spectroscopic evidence for the postpolymerization synthesis of the poly(acrylamide) block is provided.
The V Kernel: A Software Base for Distributed Systems (1984)

Developed to take advantage of the facilities of today's powerful personal workstations, the V kernel provides good system performance, not just good kernel performance.
RETRACTED: An Antifungal Mechanism of Protolichesterinic Acid from the Lichen Usnea albopunctata Lies in the Accumulation of Intracellular ROS and Mitochondria-Mediated Cell Death Due to Apoptosis in Candida tropicalis (2017)

<i>Candida</i> species causes superficial and life-threatening systemic infections and are difficult to treat due to the resistance of these organism to various clinically used drugs. Protolichesterinic acid is a well-known lichen compound. Although the antibacterial activity of protolichesterinic acid has been reported earlier, the antifungal property and its mechanism of action are still largely unidentified. The goal of the present investigation is to explore the anticandidal activity and mechanism of action of protolichesterinic acid, especially against <i>Candida tropicalis</i>. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) value was established through microdilution techniques against four <i>Candida</i> species and out of four species tested, <i>C. tropicalis</i> showed a significant effect (MIC: 2 μg/ml). In the morphological interference assay, we observed the enhanced inhibition of hyphae when the cells were treated with protolichesterinic acid. Time-kill assay demonstrated that the maximum rate of killing was recorded between 2 and 6 h. <i>C. tropicalis</i> exposed to protolichesterinic acid exhibited an increased ROS production, which is one of the key factors of fungal death. The rise in ROS was due to the dysfunction of mitochondria caused by protolichesterinic acid. We confirmed that protolichesterinic acid-induced dysfunction of mitochondria in <i>C. tropicalis</i>. The damage of cell membrane due to protolichesterinic acid treatment was confirmed by the influx of propidium iodide and was further confirmed by the release of potassium ions. The treatment of protolichesterinic acid also triggered calcium ion signaling. Moreover, it commenced apoptosis which is clearly evidenced by Annexin V and propidium iodide staining. Interestingly protolichesterinic acid recorded excellent immunomodulatory property when tested against lymphocytes. Finally protolichesterinic acid showed low toxicity toward a normal human cell line Foreskin (FS) normal fibroblast. In <i>in vivo</i> test, protolichesterinic acid significantly enhanced the survival of <i>C. tropicalis</i> infected <i>Caenorhabditis elegans</i>. This investigation proposes that the protolichesterinic acid induces apoptosis in <i>C. tropicalis</i> via the enhanced accumulation of intracellular ROS and mitochondrial damage, which leads fungal cell death via apoptosis. Our work revealed a new key aspect of mechanisms of action of protolichesterinic acid in <i>Candida</i> species. This article is the first study on the antifungal and mechanism of action of protolichesterinic acid in <i>Candida</i> species.
Repositionable self-expanding aortic bioprosthesis (2017)

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation/replacement (TAVI or TAVR) has been established as a first line therapy in patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis (AS) at high or prohibitive surgical risk and as an alternative in elderly patients with intermediate surgical risk. Since its first-in-human procedure in 2002, the past 15-years have shown rapid developments in TAVI technology with the introduction and further improvement of new transcatheter heart valves (THV). Areas covered: There are currently several THV systems available, based on balloon-expandable, self-expandable or other technologies. Some of these are repositionable and retrievable even after partial or full deployment, potentially reducing the risk of malpositioning. The aim of this review is to describe such repositionable self-expandable THV systems. Expert commentary: Repositionability potentially represents a crucial step towards higher safety and efficacy of TAVI. It is unclear if full self-expandability or a combination of self and mechanical expansion will be more advantageous.
Odor Specificity of Habituation in the Rat Anterior Piriform Cortex (2000)

Exposure to odorants results in a rapid (<10 s) reduction in odor-evoked activity in the rat piriform cortex despite relatively maintained afferent input from olfactory bulb mitral cells. To further understand this form of cortical plasticity, a detailed analysis of its odor specificity was performed. Habituation of odor responses in anterior piriform cortex single units was examined in anesthetized, freely breathing rats. The magnitude of single-unit responses of layer II/III neurons to 2-s odor pulses were examined before and after a 50-s habituating stimulus of either the same or different odor. The results demonstrated that odor habituation was odor specific, with no significant cross-habituation between either markedly different single odors or between odors within a series of straight chain alkanes. Furthermore, habituation to binary 1:1 mixtures produced minimal cross-habituation to the components of that mixture. These latter results may suggest synthetic odor processing in the olfactory system, with novel odor mixtures processed as unique stimuli. Potential mechanisms of odor habituation in the piriform cortex must be able to account for the high degree of specificity of this effect.
Evaluation of visual acuity during laser photoradiation therapy of cancer (1984)

Visual function for ten patients undergoing HPD-PRT was tested using 1) the Graham Field Eye Chart for distance vision, 2) pseudo-isochromatic plates for color vision, and 3) Amsler grid for changes in macular function. Whereas some increases and decreases in ocular function were observed, no clear patterns or changes of significance were observed.