gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
The global impact of COVID-19 on infertility services (2020)

The COVID-19 pandemic has posed unique concerns and potential risks to women now pregnant or considering childbearing. Although no professional societies have issued recommendations that women avoid conception at this time, several professional organizations recommended a moratorium on infertility services including both medically assisted reproduction and assisted reproductive technology shortly after the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 infection to be a pandemic. Reasons cited for undertaking these extraordinary measures included prevention of possible complications of assisted reproductive technology and medically assisted reproduction and virus induced complications of pregnancy including potential vertical transmission to the fetus and optimization use of critical health care resources. A survey of reproductive health providers in 97 countries was undertaken to assess their response to the pandemic and recently issued guidance. Although different countries reacted differently with diverse responses and variable resources, the results suggest that the reproductive health community has largely been responsive to public health and individual patient concerns.
An analysis of a door seal structure of a microwave oven with an inserted sheet‐type lossy material using FDTD method (2002)

Abstract By means of the three‐dimensional FDTD, the shield effect is studied for a sheet‐type lossy material inserted in the gap between a microwave oven body and its door as a way to suppress the microwave leakage in place of the generally used choke structure. Specifically, the shield effect versus the inserted length of the lossy material and the gap is studied by means of the TE 40 mode, which has the closest shape to the leakage field among various higher‐order modes. It is shown that a shield effect of more than 30 dB can be exhibited if a certain lossy material completely fills the gap and that the inserted length of more than 50 mm is needed to obtain a shield effect of more than 30 dB if there is gap of 1 mm. Hence, the shield effect in a practical situation is quantitatively confirmed. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 1, 85(9): 13–20, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/ecja.1121
Continuously controllable, wide-angle liquid crystal beam deflector based on the transversal field effect in a three-electrode cell (2005)

A controllable, refractive, electro-optical liquid crystal (LC) beam deflector is studied both theoretically and experimentally. The principle of operation of this device is based on a beam deflection from a large gradient of refractive index, generated in an LC layer by a transversal electric field, formed between two lateral electrodes, in a simple three-electrode LC cell. A continuous, controllable deflection of a Gaussian laser beam, focused into the narrow region at the electrode gap is demonstrated. Maximum deflection angles of ~18 to 25 deg, depending on the LC birefringence, as well as a high deflection efficiency of up to 98% are demonstrated experimentally, backed by a theoretical analysis.
Ephrin A4-ephrin receptor A10 signaling promotes cell migration and spheroid formation by upregulating NANOG expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma cells (2021)

Ephrin type-A receptor 10 (EPHA10) has been implicated as a potential target for breast and prostate cancer therapy. However, its involvement in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains unclear. We demonstrated that EPHA10 supports in vivo tumor growth and lymphatic metastasis of OSCC cells. OSCC cell migration, epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT), and sphere formation were found to be regulated by EPHA10, and EPHA10 was found to drive expression of some EMT- and stemness-associated transcription factors. Among EPHA10 ligands, exogenous ephrin A4 (EFNA4) induced the most OSCC cell migration and sphere formation, as well as up-regulation of SNAIL, NANOG, and OCT4. These effects were abolished by extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) inhibition and NANOG knockdown. Also, EPHA10 was required for EFNA4-induced cell migration, sphere formation, and expression of NANOG and OCT4 mRNA. Our microarray dataset revealed that EFNA4 mRNA expression was associated with expression of NANOG and OCT4 mRNA, and OSCC patients showing high co-expression of EFNA4 with NANOG or OCT4 mRNA demonstrated poor recurrence-free survival rates. Targeting forward signaling of the EFNA4-EPHA10 axis may be a promising therapeutic approach for oral malignancies, and the combination of EFNA4 mRNA and downstream gene expression may be a useful prognostic biomarker for OSCC.
PiRo - Ein autonomes Kommissioniersystem für inhomogene, chaotische Lager (2024)

Das Team IFL PiRo des KIT nahm 2017 an der Amazon Robotics Challenge in Nagoya, Japan teil. Bei diesem Wettbewerb müssen Kommissionieraufträge in inhomogenen und chaotischen Lagern durchgeführt werden. Diese Veröffentlichung behandelt die getroffenen Entscheidungen bei der Entwicklung des Robotersystems PiRo und dessen Steuerung. Das Abschneiden bei dem Wettbewerb und die gewonnenen Erfahrungen werden dargestellt.
Developments of operating points of the IJmuiden blast furnaces (2014)

In recent years,steel companies were confronted with very dynamic steel and raw materials markets. Conditions were very challenging during the onset of the financial and steel crisis. Depending on the boundary conditions given by these markets,the operating points of the ironmaking units within the steel companies were optimised. This also applied to the IJmuiden blast furnaces of Tata Steel Europe. This paper gives an overview of developments that took place in the blast furnace area in IJmuiden over the last 10 years. The development towards a high productivity and low coke rate operation on No. 6 blast furnace is described. The transition from a bell top with movable armour to a bell-less charging system on No. 7 blast furnace and other burden distribution related developments will be addressed. Furthermore,an overview of the changes in burden and slag composition is presented.
Overexpression in Escherichia coli and purification of human fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) (2009)

Basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) is a member of a large family of structurally related proteins that affect the growth, differentiation, migration, and survival of many cell types. The human FGF-2 gene (encoding residues 1-155) was synthesized by PCR from 20 oligonucleotides and cloned into plasmid pET-32a. A high expression level (1 g/liter) of a fused protein thioredoxin/FGF-2 was achieved in Escherichia coli strain BL21(DE3). The fusion protein was purified from the soluble fraction of cytoplasmic proteins on a Ni-NTA agarose column. After cleavage of the thioredoxin/FGF-2 fusion with recombinant human enteropeptidase light chain, the target protein FGF-2 was purified on a heparin-Sepharose column. The yield of FGF-2 without N- and C-terminal tags and with high activity was 100 mg per liter of cell culture. Mutations C78S and C96S in the amino acid sequence of the protein decreased FGF-2 dimer formation without affecting its solubility and biological activity.
One-Pot Conversion of RAFT-Generated Multifunctional Block Copolymers of HPMA to Doxorubicin Conjugated Acid- and Reductant-Sensitive Crosslinked Micelles (2008)

N-(2-Hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide (HPMA) containing polymers that are widely used as anticancer drug carriers. We have synthesized new amphiphilic block copolymers of HPMA with a functional monomer 2-(2-pyridyldisulfide)ethylmethacrylate (PDSM) via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. In a one-pot reaction, the versatility of PDS groups on poly(PDSM)- b-poly(HPMA) was used to conjugate an anticancer drug, doxorubicin (DOX), and also simultaneously crosslink the micellar assemblies via acid-cleavable hydrazone bonds and reducible disulfide bonds. DOX-conjugated crosslinked micelles with an average diameter of approximately 60 nm were observed to be formed in aqueous medium. Disintegration of the micelles into unimers in the presence of a disulfide reducing agent confirmed the crosslinking via disulfide bonds. While the release of DOX from the crosslinked micelles at pH 5.0 was faster compared to the release at pH 7.4, a high proportion of released DOX was found to retain the original active structure. Overall results demonstrate the simplicity and the versatility of the poly(PDSM)- b-poly(HPMA) system, which are potentially important in the design of new generation of polymer therapeutics.
Development of Laser Edge Isolation Processfor Industrial Solar Cells (2013)

In the fabrication of crystalline (mono and multi) silicon solar cells, p-type silicon wafers are diffused with phosphorous to form large area (240 Cm2) p-n junction, which is responsible for separation of photo generated carriers. During emitter diffusion process, phosphorous diffusion also takes place over the edges and rear side of the wafer. This creates shunt paths between the front (n-type) and back (p-type) surface. These shunt paths cause reduction in solar cell efficiency. In the study presented here, Q-switched nanosecond 532 nm wavelength laser is used for isolating the shunts at the edges by scribing on either front or back side of cells. The effect of laser scribing parameters on groove characteristics is studied and optimized so as to get maximum efficiency of solar cells. From our results, we find that laser edge isolation process shows an enhancement of average output power of solar cells by 3.45% compared to the plasma edge isolation process. The laser edge isolation technique developed is suitable for inline production for industrial applications and is environment friendly as no hazardous fluorine based chemicals are used.
Automatic 3D selection technique assignment using real-time scenario analysis (2013)

Selection in 3D virtual environments can vary wildly depending on the context of the selection. Scene attributes such as object velocity, scene density, and user's cursor velocity can impact the user's ability to accurately select an object. Many 3D selection techniques have been explored, and are usually optimal for a specific set of conditions. As a result, software developers must compromise by choosing a single technique that works well on average, but is lacking in at least one scenario. We present a preliminary study that explores the feasibility of new autoselection algorithms that automatically determines the most appropriate selection technique in real-time, thus leveraging the performance benefits of each technique. We evaluated the techniques across three levels of scene density and three levels of object velocity.
Biopolymeric Modification of Superoxide Dismutase (mPEG-SOD) to Prevent Muscular Ischemia-Reperfusion Damage (1995)

The efficacy of preventing ischemia-reperfusion damage by employing native or modified (mPEG-SOD) superoxide dismutase in an experimental animal model of acute ischemia of the left hindlimb was tested. Four hours and thirty minutes complete warm ischemia was induced in the left hindlimb of 43 Wistar rats, by clamping the femoral artery and monitoring its efficacy with Laser Doppler flowmetry. After ten days, a significative difference (p = 0.004) of the survival leg rate was found in the group treated with mPEG-SOD (86.6%) compared with the control group (30%). Histomorphological and ultrastructural analysis were performed at different time intervals confirming what the clinical course had already pointed out. These results show that SOD in its modified form, despite the lower dosage, can provide good protection against ischemia/reperfusion injury of muscles.
COL4A1 -related autosomal recessive encephalopathy in 2 Turkish children (2020)

<i>COL4A1</i> has previously been associated with dominant small vessel disease of the brain and other organs, manifesting with high penetrance in heterozygous mutation carriers. Our findings provide evidence that <i>COL4A1</i>-related encephalopathy can be inherited in an autosomal recessive manner, which is important for counseling, prognosis, and treatment. Genotype-phenotype correlations remain to be established.
Strain-induced metal–semiconductor transition observed in atomic carbon chains (2015)

Carbyne, the sp(1)-hybridized phase of carbon, is still a missing link in the family of carbon allotropes. While the bulk phases of carbyne remain elusive, the elementary constituents, that is, linear chains of carbon atoms, have already been observed using the electron microscope. Isolated atomic chains are highly interesting one-dimensional conductors that have stimulated considerable theoretical work. Experimental information, however, is still very limited. Here we show electrical measurements and first-principles transport calculations on monoatomic carbon chains. When the 1D system is under strain, the chains are semiconducting corresponding to the polyyne structure with alternating bond lengths. Conversely, when the chain is unstrained, the ohmic behaviour of metallic cumulene with uniform bond lengths is observed. This confirms the recent prediction of a metal-insulator transition that is induced by strain. The key role of the contacting leads explains the rectifying behaviour measured in monoatomic carbon chains in a nonsymmetric contact configuration.
Association between serum α-L-fucosidase and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: Cross-sectional study (2016)

AFU level is significantly associated with NAFLD, and elevated AFU level is an independent risk factor for NAFLD.
DIIUS - Distributed Perception for Inspection of Aquatic Structures (2021)

The worldwide context has fostered the innovation geared to the blue growth. However, the aquatic environment imposes many restrictions to mobile robots, as their perceptual capacity becomes severely limited. DIIUS aims to strengthen the perception of distributed robotic systems to improve the current procedures for inspection of aquatic structures (constructions and/or vessels).The perception of large working areas from multiples robots raises a number of unresolved inference problems and calls for new interaction patterns between multiple disciplines, both at the conceptual and technical level. To address this important challenge, the DIIUS project seeks to reinforce the current state-of-art in several scientific domains that fit into artificial intelligence, computer vision, and robotics. Through case studies focused on 3D mapping of aquatic structures (ex., maritime constructions and adduction tunnels), the project investigates new spatio-temporal data association techniques, including the correlation of sensors from heterogeneous robot formations operating in environments with communications constraints.
Quaternized Poly(4-Vinylpyridine) Coated Activated Carbon: Diffusion Controlled Sorption of Chromium(VI) (2007)

Quaternized poly(4-vinylpyridine) coated activated carbon has been proven to be successful in removal and recovery of Cr(VI) from aqueous solution. However, the key component of the mass transfer operations and the diffusion coefficient has not been determined. In this study, adsorption of Cr(VI) was investigated at different initial concentrations. A finite bath diffusion control model with changing bulk concentrations was derived analytically, and a constant related to radius of the absorbent particle and the fractional attainment of adsorption was first introduced into this model. Results indicated that the adsorbent provided fast adsorption kinetics and the modified diffusion-control model fitted the experimental data well. The observed sorption kinetics was consistent with the finite bath diffusion, with an average value of 4.10×10−6cm2∕s for the product of the distribution coefficient and the effective diffusivity in the adsorption of Cr(VI) on the quaternized poly(4-vinylpyridine) coated activated carbon.
Organic sensitization of graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide thin films for photovoltaic applications (2021)

In this work, a new organic compound (K-Azo) was introduced to enhance the electrical and optical performance of graphene oxide (GO) and reduced GO (rGO) nanostructured films. The improved and modified chemical vapour method was employed for the synthesis of GO and rGO. The photophysical characterization of thin films was performed by applying analytical techniques including X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, ultraviolet-visible, and Raman spectroscopy. The electrical properties (I-V characteristic) of GO and rGO thin films displayed higher conductivity which was 4.07 × 10−7 and 1.10 × 10−3 S/cm, respectively in the presence of organic sensitizer. However, GO and rGO thin films showed 9.91 × 10−7 and 6.17 × 10−4 S/cm, respectively in the absence of K-Azo sensitizer. Optical and electrical investigations indicated that the characteristics of GO and rGO were improved due to the presence of organic sensitizer. The long-range π-electron delocalization in organic sensitizer contributed to higher conductivity for potential photovoltaic solar cell applications.
Antigen expression associated with lymph node metastasis in gastric adenocarcinomas (1994)

A total of 100 gastric adenocarcinomas, comprising 50 cases with lymph node metastasis and 50 cases without lymph node metastasis, were examined for immunohistochemical reactivity with the monoclonal antibody to urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PA), Lex related 4C9 antigen, Jun, or to nucleobindin (Nuc). In tumors with lymph node metastasis, 41 (82%) were positive for u-PA and 28 (56%) were positive for Nuc. In tumors without lymph node metastasis, 26 (52%) were positive for u-PA and five (10%) were positive for Nuc. The percentage of cases positive for u-PA or Nuc was significantly higher in tumors with lymph node metastasis than that in tumors without lymph node metastasis (P < 0.01). The expression of u-PA was found to be significantly correlated with that of Nuc (P < 0.001), mode of infiltrative growth (P < 0.05), depth of invasion (P < 0.01), and grade of lymphatic invasion (P < 0.01). However, the expression of Nuc was found to be significantly correlated with the expression of Jun (P < 0.05), depth of invasion (P < 0.01), and grade of lymphatic invasion (P < 0.001). These results suggest that immunohistochemical examination for the expression of u-PA and Nuc in tumor cells may help evaluate the potential of adenocarcinomas of the stomach for lymph node metastasis.
Mechanisms of protein targeting to lipid droplets: A unified cell biological and biophysical perspective (2020)

Lipid droplets (LDs), or oil bodies in plants, are specialized organelles that primarily serve as hubs of cellular metabolic energy storage and consumption. These ubiquitous cytoplasmic organelles are derived from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and consist of a hydrophobic neutral lipid core - mainly consisting of triglycerides and sterol esters - that is encircled by a phospholipid monolayer. The dynamic metabolic functions of the LDs are mainly executed and regulated by proteins on the monolayer surface. However, its unique architecture puts some structural constraints on the types of proteins that can associate with LDs. The lipid monolayer is decorated with either peripheral proteins or with integral membrane proteins that adopt a monotopic topology. Due to its oil-water interface, which is energetically costly, the LD surface happens to be favorable to the recruitment of many proteins involved in metabolic but also non-metabolic functions. We only started very recently to understand biophysical and biochemical principles controlling protein targeting to LDs. This review aims to summarize the most recent findings regarding this topic and proposes directions that will potentially lead to a better understanding of LD surface characteristics, as compared to bilayer membranes, and how that impacts protein-LD interactions.
Detection of base pairing of an oxidatively damaged guanine using colloidal stability change of DNA-linked polymer micelles (2007)

A DNA-linked polymer micelle was prepared through a phase transition of an amphiphilic copolymer consisting of single-stranded DNA as the hydrophilic part and thermo-responsive poly(N-isopropylacryl-amide) as the hydrophobic part. Duplex formation on the surface of micelle decreased the colloidal stability, whereas a terminal single-base mismatch at the interface between the DNA shell and the disperse medium increased the colloidal stability. Based on this change, we successfully detected base pairing of 7,8-dihydro-8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanine with adenine. This method will be useful for discovering a Watson-Crick or non Watson-Crick base pair of an unknown oxidative-damaged base with each four canonical one.
Transformation of free tetrachloroguaiacol to bound compounds by fungi isolated from Lake Bonney, south-eastern South Australia (1997)

Chlorophenolic compounds have persisted in water and sediments of Lake Bonney, south- eastern South Australia, following discontinuation of chlorine bleaching at a sulfite-based pulp mill that discharges effluent into the lake. During assessment of the persistence of chlorophenolics, several species of fungi isolated from lake water and from a drain that discharges mill effluent into the lake were studied for their capacities to degrade these compounds. Epicoccum sp., Mucor circinelloides and Penicillium expansum decreased concentrations of the free form of tetrachloroguaiacol in a mineral-salts medium. This was due not to degradation of the compound but to conversion to bound forms. These bound forms of tetrachloroguaiacol were resistant to degradation by a T. harzianum isolate that had previously been found capable of degrading free tetrachloroguaiacol.
All-fiber single-polarization Er3+-doped-fiber laser (1993)

Er3+-doped-fiber lasers are being actively developed for telecommunications, nonlinear optical phenomena, and signal prosessing because they have a high output power and a narrow bandwidth in the 1.55-μm region.1,2 In this paper we report on the single-polarization optical-fiber laser used by the all-fiber polarizer, based on a fused single-mode fiber coupler.