gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Plasma Aβ42/40 and PET amyloid associations among late‐middle‐aged African Americans: Preliminary results from the AA‐FAIM study (2022)

Abstract Background Alzheimer’s disease (AD) models of disease progression have been built largely on non‐Hispanic White samples. Availability of AD blood‐based biomarkers may improve screening for AD risk and facilitate greater diversity in research studies; little is known about these biomarkers within African Americans (AA). Here, we characterized associations between plasma Ab 42/40 and Positron Emission Tomography (PET) amyloid measures in an AA sample. Method Participants in the African Americans Fighting Alzheimer’s in Mid‐Life (AA‐FAIM) with &gt;=1 PET scan and plasma Ab 42/40 assay were included (n=34 participants; n=117 EDTA plasma samples). The ratio Ab 42/40 was calculated from plasma Ab 40 and Ab 42 quantified by C2N Diagnostics (PrecivityAD™). PET 11 C‐Pittsburgh compound B (PIB)‐derived amyloid measures included a mean cortical DVR (global PiB DVR), PET_A+ (DVR&gt;1.19) and estimated PET_A+ duration at each plasma sample. In separate models where “time” was age or PET_A+ duration at each plasma sample (outcome=plasma Ab 42/40 ), we used mixed effects models to estimate simple slopes from time * PET_A+ status interactions. Sensitivity, specificity and related statistics were calculated for two plasma_A+ cutoffs (0.0975, West et al., 2021; 0.089, Hu et al., 2022). Result Baseline plasma sample and baseline PET scan average(sd) ages were 61(8.6) and 65(9), respectively. Closest plasma Ab 42/40 explained 47% of variability in last global PiB DVR (mean(sd)=‐0.85(0.91) years plasma‐to‐PET). Seven(20.6%) participants were PET_A+. In longitudinal analyses, simple age‐slopes for plasma Ab 42/40 change were ‐0.00061(0.00024) for PET_A+ and ‐0.00057(0.00018) for PET_A‐ (age * PET_A status interaction NS; model AICc=‐792.6). In a parallel mixed effect model, simple slopes were ‐0.00093(0.00026) for PET_A+ change/year and ‐0.00039(0.00012) for PET_A‐ change/year (interaction p∼0.06; AICc=‐800.6). Figures 1 and 2 depict relationships among plasma and PET amyloid measures. Positive and negative predictive values were 50.0% and 95.5% (0.0975 cut‐off) and 68% and 83% (0.089 cut‐off; see Figure 1 for additional statistics). Conclusion Preliminary results from this small African American sample provide encouraging data regarding plasma Ab 42/40 ’s potential to screen for PET A+ in AAs. PET A+ duration explained more variability than age in plasma Ab 42/40 trajectories. The on‐going AA‐FAIM study continues the critical effort to increase representation of AA in AD research, ensuring findings are broadly applicable.
Epitaxially passivated mesa-isolated InGaAs photodetectors. (2016)

Abstract not provided.
Anycast-Based Optimizations for Inter-Data-Center Interconnections [Invited] (2012)

The cloud service delivery model is driving the data center (DC) architectural model towards a fully virtualized infrastructure acting as geographically distributed pools of shared resources, dynamically allocated to different services. Such a scenario calls for the anycast routing of virtual machine (VM) migration requests in order to select the destination server where the VMs will be migrated by taking into account the actual load of DC interconnections while addressing VM data transfer requirements. To this purpose, a management platform is presented that enables the dynamic connectivity setup between DCs without a priori indication of the destination server, according to the anycast principle. Specifically, data path allocation policies are proposed to select a proper inter-DC network path, and accordingly a destination server, to allow VM migration data to experience adequate delay performance. Using a simulation approach, the policies are compared in terms of success rate of delay-constrained data path setup as well as in terms of their capability to limit migration delay.
The Importance of Intrafibrillar Mineralization of Collagen on the Mechanical Properties of Dentin (2003)

It is widely held that the hardness and modulus of dentin increase in proportion to the mineral concentration. To test this belief, we measured hardness and modulus of normal dentin and an altered form of dentin without gap-zone mineralization in wet and dry conditions by AFM nanoindentation to determine if the modulus and hardness scale linearly with mineral concentration. Mineral concentrations in the mid-coronal location of the normal and altered dentins were 44.4 vol% and 30.9 vol%, respectively. Surrounding the pulp of the altered dentin was a region of higher mineralization, 40.5 vol%. The indentation modulus of normal dentin was 23.9 (SD = 1.1) GPa dry and 20.0 (SD = 1.0) GPa wet. In mid-coronal regions of the altered dentin, the indentation modulus was 13.8 (SD = 2.0) GPa dry and 5.7 (SD = 1.4) GPa wet. In the more mineralized regions of the altered dentin, the modulus was 20.4 (SD = 1.8) GPa dry and 5.3 (SD = 0.8) GPa wet; the properties of the altered wet dentin did not correlate with mineral concentration. The results of this study raise doubt as to whether mineral concentration alone is a sufficient endpoint for assessing the success or failure of remineralization approaches in restorative dentistry.
High sensitivity millimeter-wave instrumentation (2005)

This paper describes a technique to increase the millimeterwave sensitivity of the popular 1740-1750 series SA (Scientific-Atlanta) receivers. The frequency coverage is conventionally extended with harmonic mixing techniques which reduce the sensitivity. Phase-locked circuitry was developed to allow the receiver to operate in a fundamental mixing mode which permits the measurement of millimeterwave antennas and radar targets with the same sensitivity achieved at microwave frequencies. At Ka-band a 30 dB enhancement in sensitivity results with the phase-locked circuitry compared with the conventional instrumentation.
Basis-image reconstruction directly from sparse-view data in spectral CT (2014)

In the work, we investigate the feasibility of using sparse data from spectral CT systems with multiple data sets. We develop an optimization-based reconstruction method that may avoid the limitations of standard data-based decomposition methods in spectral CT, such as overlapping rays and dense angular sampling. We generated data from two distinct diagnostic range kVp spectra based on two non-overlapping cone-beam CT scanning geometries. Realistic noise level is added to the data. In specific, we employ the constrained total-variation minimization reconstruction program with beam-hardening-corrected adaptives-teepest-descent-projection-onto-convex-sets algorithm and apply to the full and sparse data for directly reconstructing basis images. Results indicate that images reconstructed from sparse data can be visually comparable to those from full data, with both free of beam-hardening artifacts, demonstrating the feasibility of the sparse data acquisition in spectral CT with multiple data sets for potentially reducing radiation dose.
NovelChlamydia trachomatisStrains in Heterosexual Sex Partners, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA (2014)

Chlamydia trachomatis causes a high number of sexually transmitted infections worldwide, but reproducible and precise strain typing to link partners is lacking. We evaluated multilocus sequence typing (MLST) for this purpose by detecting sequence types (STs) concordant for the ompA genotype, a single-locus typing standard. We tested samples collected during April 2000-October 2003 from members of established heterosexual partnerships (dyads) in the Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, area who self-reported being coital partners within the previous 30 days. C. trachomatis DNA from 28 dyads was tested by MLST; sequences were aligned and analyzed for ST and phylogenetic relationships. MLST detected 9 C. trachomatis STs, 4 unique to Indianapolis; STs were identical within each dyad. Thirteen unique strains were identified; 9 (32%) dyads harbored novel recombinant strains that phylogenetically clustered with strains comprising the recombinants. The high rate of novel C. trachomatis recombinants identified supports the use of MLST for transmission and strain diversity studies among at-risk populations.
Immunoadjuvant and Anti-Inflammatory Plant Saponins: Characteristics and Biotechnological Approaches Towards Sustainable Production (2011)

Saponins can be classified as triterpenoid (C30) or steroidal (C27), based on their carbon nucleus (aglycone). Sugar residues are linked to the aglycone, conferring an amphiphilic nature on these molecules, which is relevant for their biological activities. Saponins include a large variety of molecules that find several applications in pharmacology. Saponins have been shown to display immunoadjuvant, anti-inflammatory, antiplatelet, hypocholesterolemic, antitumoral, anti-HIV, antibacterial, insecticide, fungicide and anti-leishmanial activities. Anti-inflammatory medicines are increasingly demanded to treat various forms of arthritis in aging and obese populations and to help reduce the doses and duration of conventional corticotherapy with less side effects and without immunosuppression. The vaccine market for both human and veterinary uses is close to US$ 15 billion, progressively inflated by the recurrent threat of global pandemics.This paper provides an overview of recent advances (main focus on the last five years) on plant saponins that show anti-inflammatory and/or immunoadjuvant activities: source plants, isolation procedures, mechanism of action and biotechnological approaches towards sustainable production of bioactive saponins. Special attention is given to ginseng and Quillaja saponins. Strategies based on plant cultivation, cell and tissue culture, elicitation, and metabolic engineering for improved production of saponins are described. Future directions for research in the field and strategies to overcome bottlenecks are also discussed.
Optimizing Detector Size in X-Ray Imaging (2006)

Image data are noisy samples acquired at discrete positions. Signal processing explicitly or implicitly involves some kind of interpolation to match a desired point spread function (PSF), to match a certain spatial resolution or to match certain contrast detection criteria. By optimization of a resolution-, noise- and dose-dependent figure of merit it was recently shown that a given spatial resolution can be best achieved using detector elements far smaller than the desired resolution element. A potential dose reduction in the order of 50% was predicted when using detector elements of about half the size of the desired spatial resolution. Instead of prescribing spatial resolution we here investigate how a square wave pattern of given detail size can be best imaged in terms of contrast, noise and dose. A contrast-to-noise quality factor Q is maximized to find the optimal detector element size g. Our findings are a potential of 70% dose reduction when using optimized flat panel detector pixel size g. This optimum lies in the order of 30% of the object detail size.
Traffic Aware Planner (TAP) Flight Evaluation (2014)

NASA's Traffic Aware Planner (TAP) is a cockpit decision support tool that has the potential to achieve significant fuel and time savings when it is embedded in the data-rich Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) airspace. To address a key step towards the operational deployment of TAP and the NASA concept of Traffic Aware Strategic Aircrew Requests (TASAR), a system evaluation was conducted in a representative flight environment in November, 2013. Numerous challenges were overcome to achieve this goal, including the porting of the foundational Autonomous Operations Planner (AOP) software from its original simulation-based, avionics-embedded environment to an Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) platform. A flight-test aircraft was modified to host the EFB, the TAP application, an Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B) processor, and a satellite broadband datalink. Nine Evaluation Pilots conducted 26 hours of TAP assessments using four route profiles in the complex eastern and north-eastern United States airspace. Extensive avionics and video data were collected, supplemented by comprehensive inflight and post-flight questionnaires. TAP was verified to function properly in the live avionics and ADS-B environment, characterized by recorded data dropouts, latency, and ADS-B message fluctuations. Twelve TAP-generated optimization requests were submitted to ATC, of which nine were approved, and all of which resulted in fuel and/or time savings. Analysis of subjective workload data indicated that pilot interaction with TAP during flight operations did not induce additional cognitive loading. Additionally, analyses of post-flight questionnaire data showed that the pilots perceived TAP to be useful, understandable, intuitive, and easy to use. All program objectives were met, and the next phase of TAP development and evaluations with partner airlines is in planning for 2015.
Identification of hantavirus serotypes by testing of post‐infection sera in immunofluorescence and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (1991)

Serum samples were collected from 27 individuals who had been infected with a member of the genus Hantavirus in the Netherlands or Belgium during the last 15 years. These samples were tested in an immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and two enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) systems, using different virus strains that represented each of the four recently proposed serotypes of this genus. The serum samples from 11 individuals who had been infected through contacts with laboratory rats showed the highest reactivities with Hantaan virus (serotype I) and SR-11 (serotype II) in the IFA and ELISA systems. The samples of 16 individuals who had probably been infected through contacts with wild rodents showed the highest reactivities with Hällnäs virus (serotype III) in the IFA. All except two of these also showed the highest reactivity with Hällnäs virus in the two different ELISA systems.
Hybrid System Design and Performance Based on Actual Vessel Operational Data (2018)

The recent trend of marine industry towards more efficient and versatile ships and lower emission has increased interest in hybrid solutions. However, the spread of this technology has been limited by several factors both economic and technical. Among these, a recurrent issue is the sizing of the Energy Storage System (ESS), which is strictly connected to the vessel typology, its operation and its control system. This paper presents an algorithm, developed within W&amp;auml;rtsil&amp;auml; Italia SpA, for the extraction of sequential operating modes from data recorded on board the vessel, in order to properly design a feasible ESS. The paper shows a technical economic analysis carried out on a small cruise vessel in order to identify competitive hybrid solutions compared to traditional configurations (engines running on conventional fuel or Liquid Natural Gas). Finally, the paper compares two case studies of a small vessel powered only by fuel cells (in place of conventional engines) and batteries, in order to prove the potential benefits derived from such innovative technologies with different operational profiles, also in hybrid mode.
Elongational Viscosity as a Tool to Predict the Foamability of Polyolefins (2006)

The foaming of polyolefins (POs) by direct gas injection is a delicate balance between the melt strength of the expanding polymer and the pressure of the blowing gas in the growing cells. Important parameters in this process are: melting and crystallization temperature of the polyolefin grade, viscosity in the crystallization temperature range and elongational viscosity in the crystallization temperature range. In particular, the increase in elongational viscosity or so-called strain hardening is vital for a successful foam structure. This study shows how the elongational viscosity is measured according to the rheological melt extension (RME) method. The experimental conditions for LDPE, LLDPE, HDPE, mPE plastomers, and PP are defined and used for a series of 25 PO grades. These experiments show that the strain hardening ratio (SHR) is influenced by the average molecular length, molecular weight distribution (MWD) and the long chain branching (LCB).
Synthesis and characterization of new fluorescent two-photon absorption chromophores (2005)

A series of dipolar and quadrupolar type two-photon absorption (TPA) compounds has been synthesized and TPA cross sections (σ) were measured by Ti∶sapphire femtosecond laser excitation fluorescence (λ = 800 nm). Among them, the compound [2,5-bis-[5-(4-diphenylaminophenylethynyl)thiophen-2-yl]-[1,3,4]oxadiazole], 12, has been structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography. The resulting data indicate that the structure of this compound possesses excellent coplanarity. The compounds have arylamines as the donor, and [1,3,4]oxadiazolyl, cyanovinyl or pyridazin-3,6-diyl moiety as the acceptor. Variation of arylamines and pendant alkyl groups was found to have a significant influence on σ values. By an appropriate combination of donor and acceptor, σ values of >103 GM (10−50 cm4s photon·molecule−1) can be achieved. One quadrupolar molecule (13) possessing an arylamine donor and a pyridazine acceptor has both a high σ value (1442 GM) and σ/MW (1.97 GM/g).
Targeted transgenic expression of β2-adrenergic receptors to type II cells increases alveolar fluid clearance (2001)

Clearance of edema fluid from the alveolar space can be enhanced by endogenous and exogenous beta-agonists. To selectively delineate the effects of alveolar type II (ATII) cell beta(2)-adrenergic receptors (beta(2)-ARs) on alveolar fluid clearance (AFC), we generated transgenic (TG) mice that overexpressed the human beta(2)-AR under control of the rat surfactant protein C promoter. In situ hybridization showed that transgene expression was consistent with the distribution of ATII cells. TG mice expressed 4.8-fold greater beta(2)-ARs than nontransgenic (NTG) mice (939 +/- 113 vs. 194 +/- 18 fmol/mg protein; P < 0.001). Basal AFC in TG mice was approximately 40% greater than that in untreated NTG mice (15 +/- 1.4 vs. 10.9 +/- 0.6%; P < 0.005) and approached that of NTG mice treated with the beta-agonist formoterol (19.8 +/- 2.2%; P = not significant). Adrenalectomy decreased basal AFC in TG mice to 9.7 +/- 0.5% but had no effect on NTG mice (11.5 +/- 1.0%). Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase alpha(1)-isoform expression was unchanged, whereas alpha(2)-isoform expression was approximately 80% greater in the TG mice. These findings show that beta(2)-AR overexpression can be an effective means to increase AFC in the absence of exogenous agonists and that AFC can be stimulated by activation of beta(2)-ARs specifically expressed on ATII cells.
The genome and transcriptome of the enteric parasite Entamoeba invadens, a model for encystation (2013)

Our analysis demonstrates that a number of core processes are common to encystation between distantly related parasites, including meiosis, lipid signaling and RNA modification. These data provide a foundation for understanding the developmental cascade in the important human pathogen E. histolytica and highlight conserved processes more widely relevant in enteric pathogens.
The radiological features of calcifying odontogenic cyst (1993)

Calcifying odontogenic cyst is a rare benign lesion of the jaws, with no particular specificity for age, sex or site. Three new cases are presented together with a review of the radiological literature. There appear to be no pathognomonic radiological features, although a superficial location on the affected bone and the presence of internal calcification may be useful signs. The role of radiology appears to be limited to determining lesion extent prior to surgery.
Molecular Bioengineering of Biomaterials in the 1990s and Beyond: A Growing Liaison of Polymers with Molecular Biology (1992)

An important trend in biomaterials research and development is the synthesis of polymers that combine capabilities of biologic recognition (biomimetic) with special physicochemical properties of the synthetic polymer system. Another important trend in such "molecular bioengineering" is to develop, perhaps via computer-aided molecular design, new artificial biomimetic systems by exact placement of functional groups on rigid polymer backbones, cross-linked structures, or macromolecular assemblies. In this way, biocatalytic functioning or biorecognition similar to enzymes and antibodies can be achieved without the inherent instability often encountered with the native biomolecules or assemblies. Perhaps the most exciting trend in biomaterials research and development is the availability of new biomolecules, e.g., via protein engineering and of hardy cells with specific biofunctions and bioresponses that can be tailored to specific medical or biotechnological needs. The wide variety of ways that such biomolecules and cells can be combined with polymeric biomaterials provides tremendously exciting opportunities for the biomaterials scientists and engineers. In addition to these synthetic approaches, new and exciting analytical tools, such as the scanning tunneling microscope and the atomic force microscope, are permitting study on a molecular scale of individual and small clusters of proteins and other biomolecular assemblies on surfaces. Cell attachments and spreading may also be visualized at various depths within the cell using the confocal laser microscope. Such analytical techniques can lead to important new knowledge about biologic interactions with biomaterials and, therefore, to development of even more biocompatible implants and devices. This paper overviews the present state of polymeric biomaterials and highlights the important and exciting opportunities generated by the liaison of these materials with molecular biology.
Characterization of dapB, a gene required by Pseudomonas syringae pv. tabaci BR2.024 for lysine and tabtoxinine-beta-lactam biosynthesis (1997)

The dapB gene, which encodes L-2,3-dihydrodipicolinate reductase, the second enzyme of the lysine branch of the aspartic amino acid family, was cloned and sequenced from a tabtoxin-producing bacterium, Pseudomonas syringae pv. tabaci BR2.024. The deduced amino acid sequence shared 60 to 90% identity to known dapB gene products from gram-negative bacteria and 19 to 21% identity to the dapB products from gram-positive bacteria. The consensus sequence for the NAD(P)H binding site [(V/I)(A/G)(V/I)XGXXGXXG)] and the proposed substrate binding site (HHRHK) were conserved in the polypeptide. A BR2.024 dapB mutant is a diaminopimelate auxotroph and tabtoxin negative. The addition of a mixture of L-,L-, D,D-, and meso-diaminopimelate to defined media restored growth but not tabtoxin production. Cloned DNA fragments containing the parental dapB gene restored the ability to grow in defined media and tabtoxin production to the dapB mutant. These results indicate that the dapB gene is required for both lysine and tabtoxin biosynthesis, thus providing the first genetic evidence that the biosynthesis of tabtoxin proceeds in part along the lysine biosynthetic pathway. These data also suggest that L-2,3,4,5-tetrahydrodipicolinate is a common intermediate for both lysine and tabtoxin biosynthesis.
Spectroscopic Determination of Dynamic Plasma Gradients in Implosion Cores (2002)

The time-dependent gradient structure of a laser-compressed, high-energy-density plasma has been determined using a method based on the simultaneous analysis of time-resolved x-ray monochromatic images and x-ray line spectra from Ar-doped D2 implosion cores. The analysis self-consistently determines the temperature and density gradients that yield the best fits to the spatial-emissivity profiles and spectral line shapes. This measurement is important for understanding the spectra formation and plasma dynamics associated with the implosion process. In addition, since the results are independent of hydrodynamic simulations, they are also important for comparison with fluid-dynamic models.