gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Light collection and harvesting processes in bacterial photosynthesis investigated on a picosecond time scale (1977)

Fluorescence lifetimes have been determined for four strains of Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides. Chromatophore samples were excited with a single picosecond flash, and the fluorescence was detected with a streak camera. The decay times are 100 psec in strains 2.4.1 and Ga, and 300 psec in the carotenoidless strain R-26. These times are related to the transfer of energy from the light-harvesting antenna pigment molecules to the photochemical reaction center. In strain PM-8 dpl, which lacks reaction centers, the lifetime is 1.1 nsec. In addition, we have obtained curves relating the quantum yield of fluorescence to the photon density of the excitation pulse. These curves can be fit with a simple model that relates excitonic processes to properties of the photosynthetic unit and that qualitatively describes differences between the mutant strains.
Alkoxy Side Chains in Low Band-Gap Co-Polymers: Impact on Conjugation and Frontier Energy Levels (2012)

The molecular design of electron donor conjugated polymers with accurate optoelectronic properties for efficient bulk heterojunction photovoltaic devices has attracted a lot of attention worldwide. Ideally, the polymer should have i) appropriate photon harvesting properties, ii) frontier orbitals that allow both, efficient exciton dissociation and a high open circuit voltage, iii) high charge carrier mobilities, iv) high solubility and v) high molecular weights. Charge transfer D/A copolymers are promising materials that have allowed significant progress in this field. However, although a lot of attention has been given to the design of their molecular conjugated backbone, only few investigations have considered the influence of their solubilizing side chains. The aim of the present work is to show how the nature and the position of side chains may influence above mentioned polymer properties. For that purpose, our team has designed and characterized a series of donor-acceptor alternating conjugated polymers using 2,1,3- benzothiadiazole as electron-deficient unit, and thieno[3,2-b]thiophene as well as thiophenes moieties as electron-rich units. Various side-chains were introduced onto different positions along the same conjugated backbone and the molecular structure/polymer properties relationships have been investigated systematically.
Potential Role of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-α in the Modulation of Glucose-Stimulated Insulin Secretion (2004)

In this review, we discuss the influence of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-alpha on islet insulin secretion and develop the hypothesis that modulation of PPAR-alpha function may be important for the regulation of compensatory insulin secretion. We have attempted to analyze the role of PPAR-alpha-linked fatty acid metabolism in islet function in health and in insulin-resistant states linked to lifestyle factors, in particular pregnancy and a diet inappropriately high in saturated fat. We have emphasized the potential for both actions of PPAR-alpha on insulin sensitivity that may be relayed systemically to the islet, leading to modulation of the insulin response in accordance with changes in insulin sensitivity, and direct effects of PPAR-alpha action on the islet itself. Finally, we have developed the concept that compensatory insulin secretion may have a function not only in glucoregulation but also in liporegulation. Thus, augmented insulin secretion may reflect a requirement for lipid lowering as well as for increased glucose disposal and is perceived to aim to compensate for impaired suppression of islet lipid delivery by insulin. This introduces the possibility of a continuum between liporegulation with islet compensation and lipodysregulation leading to islet decompensation in the development of type 2 diabetes.
Personalized models reveal mechanistic and therapeutic insights into CEP290-associated Leber congenital amaurosis (2016)

Lebers congenital amaurosis (LCA) is an early onset form of retinal degeneration, commonly known as childhood blindness, which manifests via mutations in genes required for functional or structural maintenance of photoreceptors. Eighteen genes are currently recognized as causative for disease progression with the largest percentage of confirmed clinical cases occurring due to defects in CEP290 . This gene encodes the centrosomal protein of 290 kilodaltons (CEP290), which is an evolutionarily conserved component from green algae to modern vertebrates that participates in cellular processes associated with primary cilium assembly/stability, cell cycle control, and DNA replication (1-3). Photoreceptors are particularly vulnerable to deficits in ciliogenesis as their structure includes a ciliary axoneme that connects the major segments. Loss of CEP290 disrupts several functions of the connecting cilium with respect to intraflagellar trafficking and structural stability, thereby prompting a rapid course of photoreceptor degeneration that culminates in a phenotype of severe vision loss (2,4).
THERMOPLASTIC ENCAPSULATION TREATABILITY STUDY OF FERNALD SILO 1 AND SILO 3 WASTES. (1998)

No abstract prepared.
Cannabinoids: A New Group of Agonists of PPARs (2007)

Cannabinoids have been used medicinally and recreationally for thousands of years and their effects were proposed to occur mainly via activation of the G-protein-coupled receptor CB1/CB2 (cannabinoid receptor 1/2). Discovery of potent synthetic analogs of the natural cannabinoids as clinically useful drugs is the sustained aim of cannabinoid research. This demands that these new compounds be free of the psychotropic effects that connected with the recreational use of cannabinoids. In preclinical studies cannabinoids displayed many of the characteristics of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and it seems to be free of unwanted side effects. An increasing number of therapeutic actions of cannabinoid are being reported that do not appear to be mediated by either CB1 or CB2, and recently nuclear receptor superfamily PPARs (peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptors) have been suggested as the target of certain cannabinoids. This review summarizes the evidence for cannabinoid activation on PPARs and possible associated remedial potentials.
RAGE visualization for Special Forces operations (2000)

The RAGE system is a collaborative virtual environment which is being developed at the Naval Research Laboratory specifically for planning, training and situation awareness. IT consists of the CAVE-like device known as the GROTTO and a virtual workbench. The system offers many important capabilities for hostage rescue scenarios. First, it avoids the need to create physical mockups of rooms and buildings, instead computer models are generated. Second, it is possible to explore alternative scenarios to experiment with different tactical operations. Third, the system can be linked with other software modules such as simulators and analysis tools, and has the capability to dynamically change the environment as new intelligence information is received. This system has three potential applications. First, it can be used as a device for the training of Special Forces. Second, it can be used to study important military operations. Finally, it can be used as a command and control device used in real-time as the rescue operation is being carried out. We show some these capabilities by reproducing one famous special forces hostage rescue operation.
Effect of Acid Spending on Etching and Acid-Fracture Conductivity (2013)

Summary In acid fracturing, while the near-wellbore area of the fracture receives live, unspent acid, sections of the fracture farther down the length receive partially spent acid because of the acid's reaction with the rock. As a result, there is a distribution of acid concentration along the fracture length. However, almost all experimental studies on acid-fracture conductivity have been conducted with live acid, which is representative of what occurs near the wellbore. An experimental study was conducted to investigate the effect of spent acids on the resulting fracture conductivity in a laboratory facility designed to perform acid-fracture-conductivity characterization. Gelled HCl acid systems with different degrees of acid spending were used to etch fractured cores under identical treatment conditions, which were set to mimic field conditions. Detailed etched surface characterization, fluid analysis, and conductivity measurements were performed on acid-etched fracture faces. Experimental results show that the amount of rock dissolved and the actual etching pattern depend highly on acid concentration. While there was less fracture-face etching with more spent acid systems, the etching pattern also changed with acid spending, which sometimes offset the additional etched volume of unspent acid. As a result, the retained conductivity was generally higher for more spent acid, and the decline in conductivity with closure stress was more subtle with the spent acid, probably because of less weakening of the fracture face. While there have been many developments in enhancing the etched length of acid-fractured wells, a major reason for the lack of long etched fractures is acid spending along the fracture. In order to understand the etched fracture profile, there is a need to realize how the degree of acid spending limits etching and affects the resulting fracture conductivity. On the basis of the newly discovered effect of acid spending on conductivity, acid-etched length and conductivity can be predicted more accurately and acid-fracture treatments better designed.
«Contribuir a mejorar la salud es la mayor recompensa que un investigador puede tener»: Dr. Alejandro Mira, investigador de FISABIO y descubridor de una bacteria anticaries (2014)

En el numero anterior de GACETA DENTAL nos
hicimos eco de una investigacion, llevada a cabo
desde el Area de Genomica y Salud de la Fundacion
para el Fomento de la Investigacion Sanitaria
y Biomedica de la Comunitat Valenciana (FISABIO),
sobre el descubrimiento de la bacteria Streptococcus
dentisani, que actua sobre los patogenos
causantes de la caries. Un tema que, por su trascendencia,
hemos querido tratar en profundidad
con el Dr. Alejandro Mira, director del equipo de
investigacion que ha realizado el hallazgo.
Energetic performance of a hybrid energy storage system based on compressed air and super capacitors (2006)

This paper presents a study and experimentation of a hybrid energy storage system prototype, based on compressed air, where the charging and discharging is done within maximum efficiency conditions of the volumetric machine. As the maximum efficiency conditions impose the level of the converted power, an intermittent time-modulated operation mode is applied to the thermodynamic converter to obtain a variable converted power. A smoothly variable output power is achieved with the help of a supercapacitive auxiliary storage device used as a filter. The paper describes the concept of the system, and reports on the calculated energetic performance, as well as the measured ones for a first prototype system
Effects of Buffers on Aspartate Aminotransferase Activity and Association of the Enzyme with Pyridoxal Phosphate (1975)

Using purified enzymes of human origin and patients' sera, we examined factors influencing the in vitro association of pyridoxal phosphate with aspartate aminotransferase (EC 2.6.1.1). The rate of association was markedly retarded by phosphate buffer in comparison with tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane or six other buffers. Pyridoxal phosphate at an incubation concentration of 130 mumol/liter reactivated the entire apoenzyme portion of an apoenzyme/holoenzyme mixture within 5 min in tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane; in contrast, less than 20% was associated during 15 min in phosphate. Activity measured in tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane-buffer without exogenous pyridoxal phosphate was 4% greater than that in phosphate and was slightly increased by increasing the pH of the assay mixture from 7.5 to 8.0. Aspartate in the incubation medium did not retard the stimulation in tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane buffer. While the magnitude of stimulation varied greatly among sera, a consistent mean stimulation of 30% for groups of sera with normal activities was found when asparate at 125 mmol/liter, 2-oxoglutarate at 6.7 mmol/liter and tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane at 90 mmol/liter were used, an increase over the 16% with phosphate buffer [Clin. Chem. 19, 92 (1973)]. Absorbance spectra suggest pyridoxal phosphate exists as the Schiff base of tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane or aspartate, or both, under conditions of assay incubation (without addition of 2-oxoglutarate). Nonenzymatic catalysis of the reaction by pyridoxal phosphate alone or a formation of a protein/pyridoxal phosphate adduct was discounted with use of a D-asparate substrates.
Actively Tunable Structural Color Rendering with Tensile Substrate (2017)

Dynamic color tuning is a very important and fascinating direction in the field of structural colorations due to its possible applications in stealth, anticounterfeiting, displaying techniques, etc. However, the most recent work about structural colors either have limitations on dynamic frequency tunability or require special conditions. In this work, a tensile substrate (e.g., polydimethylsiloxane) is introduced into conventional plasmonic structures to demonstrate dynamic tunable structural colors. The proposed idea is experimentally realized by fabricating samples via interference photolithography. The results show that resonance‐induced colors can be dynamically tuned from green to fuchsia by stretching the tensile substrate. Moreover, a further thematic analysis of the physical mechanism in the proposed structure is conducted. The authors envisage that their method has potential applications in anticounterfeiting, biometric sensors, and mechanics measurements.
The glucocorticoid inhibition of LFA-1 and CD2 expression by human mononuclear cells is reversed by IL-2, IL-7 and IL-15 (2001)

Glucocorticoids are agents endowed with powerful immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory properties partially related to the inhibition of adhesion-related processes. We have previously demonstrated that glucocorticoids inhibit LFA-1 and CD2 expression in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) by down-regulating mRNA steady-state levels. In this study, we investigated whether glucocorticoids could also act indirectly by modulating the effect/function of cytokines whose expression are known to inhibit. To test this hypothesis, we replenished the following cytokines IL-2, IL-7, IL-15, TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-4 and IL-10, in an in vitro PBMC culture system. Our results indicate that only the IL-2Rgamma-chain-dependent cytokines IL-2, IL-7 and IL-15, among the cytokines of this panel, could reverse the inhibition of glucocorticoids on PBMC adhesion molecule expression and the related functions of intercellular aggregation and proliferation. Furthermore, we also demonstrated that IL-2, IL-7 and IL-15 could induce de novo the synthesis of LFA-1 and CD2. Taken together, these data suggest that glucocorticoids inhibit PBMC LFA-1 and CD2 expression not only directly by modulating transcriptional events, but also indirectly through the inhibition of IL-2Rgamma-dependent cytokines.
Smart Dome 4.0: Low-Cost, Independent, Automated Energy System for Agricultural Purposes enabled by Machine Learning (2022)

Abstract Many economically essential crops in Indonesia (such as coffee, tea, chocolate, or copra) require storage or drying under certain environmental conditions, especially temperature and humidity. The solar dryer dome, typically used for agricultural purposes in Indonesia, produces a sufficient amount of heat to increase the evaporation rate inside the dome and reduce the moisture content of the commodity. A hybrid solar dryer accompanied by a photovoltaic panel, fan, and ventilation system is generally suitable. The system can provide an optimum environment with minimum control. However, as the outdoor temperature and humidity change dramatically, such as at night time, more control is required. Based on Industry 4.0 technologies, we have developed a new kind of hybrid solar dryer that provides an optimum environment 24/7. The system, called Smart Dome 4.0, is an intelligent, low-cost, self-sufficient drying and storage system to support Indonesia Agriculture 4.0. The system has a local power generation unit to self-sustain the required energy and operate without connecting to the electricity grid. The system utilizes a machine-learning algorithm to predict the environmental condition and optimally uses self-generated electric power. The developed Smart Dome 4.0 technology is critical to producing a sustainable solar dome under drastic environmental dynamics.
Level densities and gamma-ray strength functions in 170,171,172-Yb (2004)

Level densities and radiative strength functions in {sup 171}Yb and {sup 170}Yb nuclei have been measured using the {sup 171}Yb({sup 3}He{sup 3}He{gamma}){sup 171}Yb and {sup 171}Yb({sup 3}He,{alpha}{gamma}){sup 170}Yb reactions. New data on {sup 171}Yb are compared to a previous measurement for {sup 171}Yb from the {sup 172}Yb({sup 3}He,{alpha}{gamma}){sup 171}Yb reaction. Systematics of level densities and radiative strength functions in {sup 170,171,172}Yb are established. The entropy excess in {sup 171}Yb relative to the even-even nuclei {sup 170,172}Yb due to the unpaired neutron quasiparticle is found to be approximately 2k{sub B}. Results for the radiative strength function from the two reactions lead to consistent parameters characterizing the ''pygmy'' resonances. Pygmy resonances in the {sup 170,172}Yb populated by the ({sup 3}He,{alpha}) reaction appear to be split into two components for both of which a complete set of resonance parameters are obtained.
Gene replacement in Lactobacillus helveticus (1993)

An efficient method for gene replacement in Lactobacillus helveticus CNRZ32 was developed by utilizing pSA3 as an integration vector. This plasmid is stably maintained in CNRZ32 at 37 degrees C but is unstable at 45 degrees C. This method consisted of a two-step gene-targeting technique: (i) chromosomal integration of a plasmid carrying an internal deletion in the gene of interest via homologous recombination and (ii) excision of the vector and the wild-type gene via homologous recombination, resulting in gene replacement. By using this procedure, the chromosomal X-prolyl dipeptidyl aminopeptidase gene (pepXP) of CNRZ32 was successfully inactivated.
Acquired von willebrand disease in malignant peripheral neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) (1995)

In week 12 of the EICESS 92 protocol a 12-year-old boy with pelvic PNET developed acquired von Willebrand disease: bleeding time was prolonged (> 15 min) and von Willebrand factor antigen (54%) and ristocetin cofactor activity (50) were reduced. Platelet aggregations with thrombin and collagen and the number of major platelet glycoproteins/per platelet did not differ from the controls. After Haemate P (Behring Werke, Marburg, Germany) bleeding time normalized and surgery could be performed without occurrence of bleeding episodes. Three weeks after surgery bleeding time, ristocetin cofactor activity, and von Willebrand factor antigen increased to normal paediatric values. Without occurrence of further bleeding episodes the patient received another 10 courses of polychemotherapy (EICESS 92).
Time and frequency dependence of disposable ECG electrode-skin impedance. (1980)

The magnitude and phase of disposable electrode-skin impedance were studied as functions of time, 0-48 hours, and frequency, 1 Hz-1 kHz. For both unabraded and mildly abraded skin, the impedance decreased as a function of time steadily or exponentially with time constants of several hours. Impedance decreased as a function of frequency by factors of 2 to 20 with greatest change at low frequencies. For heavily abraded skin, the impedance decreased slightly and then increased as a function of time especially at low frequencies. Impedance imbalance between pairs of identical electrodes applied in a like manner to the forearm were often greater than k omega, nearly equal to individual electrode-skin impedances, and decreased with time. Electrode impedance imbalance is particularly important because it affects noise levels in ECG recordings.
Effects of some experimental factors on the production process of solid lipid nanoparticles (1996)

A simple device to form solid lipid nanoparticles from warm O/W microemulsions was developed. Precise control of temperature, drop dimensions and delivery rate of the microemulsion was achieved, obtaining reproducible nanoparticle dispersions. Experimental design was applied to study the effect of five experimental factors on the average diameter and size distribution of the lipid nanoparticles obtained from three different microemulsions. The results showed that the five experimental parameters as well as the microemulsion composition affected the average diameter and size distribution of solid lipid nanoparticles.
Analysis of Photoemissive Schottky Barrier Photodetectors (1971)

The performance of Schottky barrier photodetectors employing internal photoemission process is studied. Background-photon-noise limited detectivities Dλ* have been calculated for typical operating conditions. The use of cooled optical filters has also been investigated. The analysis shows that the detectivities may be considerably less (by about an order of magnitude) than those realized for the more conventional quantum detectors employing photovoltaic or photoconductive effects.
Marketing Messages in Continuing Medical Education (CME) Modules on Binge-Eating Disorder (BED) (2020)

It seems that CME is being used to promote lisdexamfetamine for weight loss (a contraindicated use) and to highlight benefits of lisdexamfetamine while underplaying the risks.
C-Terminal Amino Acids of Alpha-Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone Are Requisite for Its Antibacterial Activity against Staphylococcus aureus (2011)

Alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) is an endogenous neuropeptide that is known for its anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities. We recently demonstrated that α-MSH possesses staphylocidal activity and causes bacterial membrane damage. To understand the role of its amino acid sequences in the staphylocidal mechanism, in the present study we investigated the antimicrobial activities of different fragments of α-MSH, i.e., α-MSH(6-13), α-MSH(11-13), and α-MSH(1-5), and compared them with that of the entire peptide. Our results showed that peptides containing the C-terminal region of α-MSH, namely, α-MSH(6-13) and α-MSH(11-13), efficiently killed >90% of both methicillin-sensitive and -resistant Staphylococcus aureus cells in the micromolar range and ∼50% of these cells in the nanomolar range; their efficiency was comparable to that of the entire α-MSH, whereas the peptide containing the N-terminal region, α-MSH(1-5), was found to be ineffective against S. aureus. The antimicrobial activity of α-MSH and its C-terminal fragments was not affected by the presence of NaCl or even divalent cations such as Ca2+ and Mg2+. Similar to the case for the parent peptide, α-MSH(6-13) and α-MSH(11-13) also depolarized and permeabilized Staphylococcus cells (∼70 to 80% of the cells were depolarized and lysed after 2 h of peptide exposure at micromolar concentrations). Furthermore, scanning and transmission electron microscopy showed remarkable morphological and ultrastructural changes on S. aureus cell surface due to exposure to α-MSH-based peptides. Thus, our observations indicate that C-terminal fragments of α-MSH retain the antimicrobial activity of entire peptide and that their mechanism of action is similar to that of full-length peptide. These observations are important and are critical in the rational design of α-MSH-based therapeutics with optimal efficacy.