gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Neuroprotective and antioxidative effects of pioglitazone in brain tissue adjacent to the ischemic core are mediated by PI3K/Akt and Nrf2/ARE pathways (2021)

The present study elucidates the neuroprotective mechanisms of the PPARγ (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ) agonist pioglitazone in survival of ischemic neurons following middle cerebral artery occlusion with reperfusion (MCAO). Intracerebroventricular infusion of pioglitazone over 5 days before and 24 or 48 h after MCAO alleviated neurological impairments, inhibited apoptosis 24 h, and activated the PI3K/Akt pathway along with increased phosphorylation of Akt (ser473) and GSK-3β (ser9) in the peri-infarct cortical areas 48 h after MCAO. In primary cortical neurons, pioglitazone suppressed the glutamate-induced release of lactate dehydrogenase by a PPARγ-dependent mechanism. This protective effect was reversed after co-treatment with PI3K and Akt inhibitors, LY294002 and SH-6, respectively. Pioglitazone enhanced the expression of the antioxidative transcription factor Nrf2 and its target gene protein, heme oxidase-1, in the peri-infarct area. Pioglitazone also increased activation of the antioxidant response element (ARE) in neuronal PC12 cells transfected with the pNQO1-rARE plasmid. We demonstrate in primary cortical neurons from Nrf2 knockout mice that the lack of Nrf2 completely abolished the neuroprotective effects of pioglitazone against oxidative and excitotoxic damage. Our results strongly suggest that the neuroprotective effects of PPARγ in peri-infarct brain tissues comprise the concomitant activation of the PI3K/Akt and Nrf2/ARE pathways. KEY MESSAGES: Pioglitazone inhibits apoptosis in ischemic brain tissue. Pioglitazone acting on PPARγ activates PI3K/Akt pathway in ischemic brain tissue. Pioglitazone activates via Nrf2 the antioxidant defense pathway in injured neurons. Pioglitazone activates the antioxidant response element in neuronal PC12 cells. Pioglitazone fails to protect primary neurons lacking Nrf2 against oxidative damage. Activation of PPARγ supports the survival of viable neurons in peri-infarct regions.
Deep Image Prior (2018)

Deep convolutional networks have become a popular tool for image generation and restoration. Generally, their excellent performance is imputed to their ability to learn realistic image priors from a large number of example images. In this paper, we show that, on the contrary, the structure of a generator network is sufficient to capture a great deal of low-level image statistics prior to any learning. In order to do so, we show that a randomly-initialized neural network can be used as a handcrafted prior with excellent results in standard inverse problems such as denoising, superresolution, and inpainting. Furthermore, the same prior can be used to invert deep neural representations to diagnose them, and to restore images based on flash-no flash input pairs. Apart from its diverse applications, our approach highlights the inductive bias captured by standard generator network architectures. It also bridges the gap between two very popular families of image restoration methods: learning-based methods using deep convolutional networks and learning-free methods based on handcrafted image priors such as self-similarity.
Bit error rate measurements for GHz code generator circuits (1999)

A new method of analyzing bit error rates (BERs) for SFQ circuits and their outputs at GHz speeds will be presented. This method was used to test four- and six-bit pseudorandom code generators. The code generators were operated in free-run mode, i.e., without a synchronization (Reset) pulse. This enabled us to conduct BER testing to much lower levels than when the code generator is operated in Reset mode. The SFQ circuit output was amplified with a superconducting output latch to give voltage levels suitable for display on a sampling scope. The GHz output data was analyzed by external computer software; this permitted extended tests without user supervision. With the code generators operating in free-run mode, they routinely gave bit error rates (BERs) in the 10/sup -11/ range; the best BER recorded was 1.1*10/sup -13/ (2 errors in /spl sim/2.5 hours) at 2 GHz. We have successfully tested these code generators at frequencies in excess of 3.5 GHz with BERs in the 10/sup -10/ range as well.
Achieving High Levels of NMR‐Hyperpolarization in Aqueous Media With Minimal Catalyst Contamination Using SABRE (2017)

Signal amplification by reversible exchange (SABRE) is shown to allow access to strongly enhanced <sup>1</sup> H NMR signals in a range of substrates in aqueous media. To achieve this outcome, phase-transfer catalysis is exploited, which leads to less than 1.5×10<sup>-6</sup> mol dm<sup>-3</sup> of the iridium catalyst in the aqueous phase. These observations reflect a compelling route to produce a saline-based hyperpolarized bolus in just a few seconds for subsequent in vivo MRI monitoring. The new process has been called catalyst separated hyperpolarization through signal amplification by reversible exchange or CASH-SABRE. We illustrate this method for the substrates pyrazine, 5-methylpyrimidine, 4,6-d<sub>2</sub> -methyl nicotinate, 4,6-d<sub>2</sub> -nicotinamide and pyridazine achieving <sup>1</sup> H signal gains of approximately 790-, 340-, 3000-, 260- and 380-fold per proton at 9.4 T at the time point at which phase separation is complete.
Sodium and Ionic Strength Sensing by the Calcium Receptor (1998)

The calcium-sensing receptor (CaR) is activated by small changes in extracellular calcium [Ca2+]o) in the physiological range, allowing the parathyroid gland to regulate serum [Ca2+]o; however, the CaR is also distributed in a number of other tissues where it may sense other endogenous agonists and modulators. CaR agonists are polycationic molecules, and charged residues in the extracellular domain of the CaR appear critical for receptor activation through electrostatic interactions, suggesting that ionic strength could modulate CaR activation by polycationic agonists. Changes in the concentration of external NaCl potently altered the activation of the CaR by external Ca2+ and spermine. Ionic strength had an inverse effect on the sensitivity of CaR to its agonists, with lowering of ionic strength rendering the receptor more sensitive to activation by [Ca2+]o and raising of ionic strength producing the converse effect. Effects of osmolality could not account for the modulation seen with changes in NaCl. Other salts, which differed in the cationic or anionic species, showed shifts in the activation of the CaR by [Ca2+]o similar to that elicited by NaCl. Parathyroid cells were potently modulated by ionic strength, with addition of 40 mM NaCl shifting the EC50 for [Ca2+]o inhibition of parathyroid hormone by at least 0.5 mM. Several CaR-expressing tissues, including regions of the brain such as the subfornical organ and hypothalamus, could potentially use the CaR as a sensor for ionic strength and NaCl. The Journal guidelines state that the summary should be no longer than 200 words.
Biomimetic Fibrous Murray Membranes with Ultrafast Water Transport and Evaporation for Smart Moisture-Wicking Fabrics (2018)

Both antigravity directional water transport and ultrafast evaporation are critical to achieving a high-performance moisture-wicking fabric. The transpiration in vascular plants possess both of these features, which is due to their optimized hierarchical structure composed of multibranching porous networks following Murray's law. However, it remains a great challenge to simultaneously realize the ultrafast water transport and evaporation by mimicking nature's Murray networks in the synthetic materials. Here, we report a synergistic assembly strategy to create a biomimetic micro- and nanofibrous membrane with antigravity directional water transport and quick-dry performance by combining a multibranching porous structure and surface energy gradient, overcoming previous limitations. The resulting fiber-based porous Murray membranes exhibit an ultrahigh one-way transport capability ( R) of 1245%, a desired overall moisture management capability (OMMC) of 0.94, and an outstanding water evaporation rate of 0.67 g h<sup>-1</sup> (5.8 and 2.1 times higher than the cotton fabric and Coolmax fabric, respectively). Overall, the successful synthesis of these biomimetic porous Murray membranes should serve as a source of inspiration for the development of moisture-wicking technologies, providing personal comfort in hot or humid environments.
Abnormal amphiregulin expression correlates with gastric cancer prognosis (2016)

Gastric cancer (GC) is a global health issue with a high mortality rate. Early diagnosis and tracking of GC is a challenge due to a lack of reliable tools. Amphiregulin (AREG) is a member of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) family that activates growth signaling upon binding of EGF receptors. Elevated AREG expression is associated with various pathological conditions, including cancer. Here, we investigated whether increased AREG expression is a disease indicator and/or prognostic biomarker for GC. We used tissue microarray and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction to assess AREG expression in clinical tissue specimens at various stages of GC and a conducted bioinformatics analysis to evaluate the value of AREG over-expression as a GC biomarker. We found that both mRNA and protein expression of AREG were increased in the tissues of GC patients when compared to tissues from non-cancer patients or normal tissues. High expression of AREG was also associated with GC clinicopathological characteristics and poor survival. Thus, over-expression of AREG could serve as a novel GC biomarker, and active surveillance of its expression could be a novel approach to GC diagnosis and monitoring.
Controlling optical properties of sclera (1995)

Transscleral laser microsurgery has gained wide acceptance recently. Many problems in this field are due to laser beam decay in an optically nonhomogeneous sciera. The sciera light transmission in defined by scattering processes on its fibers. Because of high density in the arrangement of sciera fibers, the phenomena of interferential interaction between scattered radiation and multiple scattering are essential. Our paper is aimed at the theoretical and experimental validation of light scattering decrease on collagen fibers by substituting the sciera base substance with substance exhibiting higher refraction index. As a model of sciera, system of long dielectric cylinders was chosen, which were surrounded by isotropic base substance with lower refraction index. The fibril diameters are varied from 10 to 100 nm. The indexes of refraction for the fibrils and embedding substance differ appreciably from each other and are equal2, respectively) to 1,47 and 1.345. The thickness of sciera is I mm. The statistic characteristics of spatial arrangement of fiber centers were described at an approximation of exduded volume. The scattering amplitude function for a single cylinder was calculated using Mie theory. Under calculation it was assumed that the axes of all the fibers are parallel to the sciera surface and their orientation in this plane is random. Two complex coefficients for waves, polarized in parallel and normally to the fiber axes, were found by means of method describing the propagation of coherent waves through random systems. According to this approach, scattering medium is represented as homogeneous but a having new effective refraction index. The imaginary part of the index takes into account energy extinction due to scattering.
Calcined Layered Double Hydroxides as Basic Heterogeneous Catalysts for the Oppenauer Oxidation of Alcohols (1999)

Abstract The oxidation of various alcohols with a ketone was carried out over a series of calcined layered double hydroxides, producing corresponding ketones in a batch reaction system. From the observed results it was found that the layered double hydroxide, MgII–AlIII (4:1) ratio), calcined in air at 723 K efficiently oxidize alcohols compared with other LDHs.
High Contrast Imaging of Interphases in Ternary Polymer Blends Using Focused Ion Beam Preparation and Atomic Force Microscopy (2005)

In this paper, we demonstrate the applicability of focused ion beam (FIB) preparation followed by tapping mode atomic force microscopy (TMAFM) to analyze model interphase thicknesses in high density polyethylene/polystyrene/poly(methyl methacrylate) (HDPE/PS/PMMA) ternary polymer blends prepared by melt mixing. Previous work has shown that, in a polyethylene matrix, this blend exhibits a dispersed phase composed of a well-segregated PMMA core and a PS shell. Control of the PS/PMMA composition ratio allows for the control of shell thickness and hence this blend provides an excellent model system to analyze interphase thicknesses. A focused ion beam preparation was applied to the melt blended samples to prepare very smooth surfaces without mechanical deformation (i.e., no plowing or interfacial debonding), while TMAFM was used to obtain high-resolution images of the composite droplets in order to measure the mean diameter of the droplets and PS shell thickness. It is shown that the three polymer components have different ion beam etching rates, which results in a topological contrast between the phases of the blends when viewed by tapping mode atomic force microscopy. In this case, PMMA has the highest etching rate, while PS has the lowest and HDPE is intermediate. This high level of contrast between the phases allows for a clear identification of the PS interphase. Even the fine features of particles in the process of coalescing can be clearly identified. To ensure that this procedure was not altering the blend phase sizes in any way, average composite droplet diameters obtained with FIB preparation and TMAFM measurements were compared with the classic technique of cryomicrotome preparation and SEM measurements. The dispersed phase size data from the two procedures compare well. The FIB/TMAFM approach allows for the estimation of the PS interphase thicknesses from 100 to 200 nm depending on the PS/PMMA composition ratio. The approach presented here avoids the pitfalls associated with microtomy such as microvoiding, deformation of the materials and debonding at the interphase. It also eliminates the need for extraction of polymers with selective solvents and staining techniques used to provide contrast. This technique provides significant advantages for the analysis of multicomponent polymer blends or blends with complex morphologies. It also provides a first step toward a new approach for analyzing interphase thickness in polymer blends.
Synthesis of Polar Aromatic Substituted Terminal Alkynes from Propargyl Amine (2021)

A series of small molecules containing polar aromatic substituents and alkynes have been synthesized. One–pot preparations of polar aromatic molecules containing an alkynyl imine and alkynyl amide are reported. A one-pot preparation of a catechol containing an alkynyl amine was also attempted but in our hands it proved much better to synthesize this target molecule via a three step synthesis which we also report here.
OAM mechanisms in MPLS layer 2 transport networks (2004)

This article describes OAM in MPLS layer 2 transport networks. MPLS networks used to transport layer 2 traffic are referred to as MPLS layer 2 transport networks. They may be used to connect legacy layer 2 networks and/or provide layer 2 service to a user over a MPLS network. As legacy layer 2 networks migrate to use MPLS for transport, the role of MPLS OAM mechanisms is becoming increasingly important. This is because the converged network must offer the same OAM functionality as existing layer 2 networks. This article emphasizes the importance of end-to-end OAM, while emulating existing layer 2 services using MPLS transport. End-to-end fault detection is described in the context of various layer 2 over MPLS transport network models. The article focuses on state-of-the-art MPLS label switched path and pseudo wire OAM mechanisms being developed by the IETF. This includes fault detection and isolation mechanisms such as LSP-Ping, bidirectional forwarding detection, and virtual circuit connectivity verification. The applicability of each of these mechanisms is given. In some cases it may be possible to carry layer 2 OAM cells end-to-end, while in other cases this may not be possible. The relationship between segment-based OAM mechanisms and end-to-end OAM is described for each of these cases.
Simian Virus 40 Small Tumor Antigen Activates AKT and Telomerase and Induces Anchorage-Independent Growth of Human Epithelial Cells (2002)

Human keratinocytes immortalized by full-length or early-region simian virus 40 (SV40) DNA grow in agarose and form tumors in nude mice, in contrast to keratinocytes immortalized by the E6/E7 genes of human papillomaviruses. To determine the molecular basis for this biological difference in growth, we have used the individual SV40 oncogenes (large T antigen [LT] and small t antigen [st]) and human papillomavirus oncogenes (E6/E7) to study the progression of human epithelial cells from the nonimmortal to the immortal state as well as from the immortal to the anchorage-independent state. Transfection of primary human foreskin keratinocytes with LT did not immortalize cells but did extend the in vitro life span and produced cells that were resistant to calcium- and serum-induced terminal differentiation. Cells transfected with st alone did not passage beyond vector-transfected keratinocytes. The simultaneous expression of LT- and st-immortalized keratinocytes occurred without evidence of crisis and, as anticipated, these immortal cells were anchorage- independent for growth. Interestingly, we found that keratinocytes expressing both LT and st, but not keratinocytes with LT alone, exhibited increased phosphorylation of the protein kinase AKT. In addition, AKT activation was paralleled by an increase in telomerase activity. Addition of st to anchorage-dependent keratinocytes, expressing either LT (nonimmortal) or E6/E7 (immortal), converted the cells to anchorage independence, with similar accompanying increases in AKT phosphorylation and telomerase activity. However, it was not possible to induce keratinocyte growth in agarose with activated AKT and/or overexpressed hTERT, indicating that these newly defined st-induced activities are not sufficient for progression to the anchorage-independent state.
Isolation of a Suppressor-mutator/Enhancer-like transposable element, Tpn1, from Japanese morning glory bearing variegated flowers. (1994)

The Japanese morning glory has an extensive history of genetic studies. Many mutants in the colors and shapes of its flowers and leaves have been isolated since the 17th century, and more than 200 genetic loci have been localized for the 10 linkage groups. They include over 20 mutable loci, several with variegated flower phenotypes. In a line of Japanese morning glory bearing variegated flowers called flecked, a transposable element of 6.4 kb, termed Tpn1, was found within one of the anthocyanin biosynthesis genes encoding dihydroflavonol-4-reductase (DFR). The 6.4-kb element carries 28-bp perfect terminal inverted repeats, the outer 13 bp being identical to those of the maize transposable element Suppressor-mutator/Enhancer. It is flanked by 3-bp direct repeats within the second intron of the DFR gene, 9 bp upstream of the third exon. When somatic and germinal excision occurs, it produces excision sequences characteristic of plant transposable elements. Cosegregation data of the variegated flower phenotype and the DFR gene carrying Tpn1 indicated that the mutable phenotype is due to excision of Tpn1 from the DFR gene. Sequences homologous to Tpn1 are present in multiple copies in the genome of Japanese morning glory.
Multilevel algorithms for generating coarse grids for multigrid methods (2001)

Geometric Multigrid methods have gained widespread acceptance for solving large systems of linear equations, especially for structured grids. One of the challenges in successfully extending these methods to unstructured grids is the problem of generating an appropriate set of coarse grids. The focus of this paper is the development of robust algorithms, both serial and parallel, for generating a sequence of coarse grids from the original unstructured grid. Our algorithms treat the problem of coarse grid construction as an optimization problem that tries to optimize the overall quality of the resulting fused elements. We solve this problem using the multilevel paradigm that has been very successful in solving the related grid/graph partitioning problem. The parallel formulation of our algorithm incurs a very small communication overhead, achieves high degree of concurrency, and maintains the high quality of the coarse grids obtained by the serial algorithm.
Tumor necrosis factor's effects on lung mechanics, gas exchange, and airway reactivity in sheep (1990)

The macrophage- and monocyte-produced cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) has been proposed as a major mediator of endotoxin-induced injury. To determine if TNF alpha could reproduce the effects of endotoxin on the lung, we intravenously administered 10 micrograms/kg of human recombinant TNF alpha into five chronically instrumented unanesthetized sheep on two occasions to characterize the TNF alpha response and its reproducibility. We assessed changes in lung mechanics, pulmonary and systemic hemodynamics, gas exchange, and the number and type of peripheral blood leukocytes. We also determined airway reactivity by use of aerosolized histamine before and after TNF alpha infusion. Pulmonary arterial pressure (Ppa) peaked within 30 min of initiating the TNF alpha infusion [47.7 +/- 2.2 vs. 15.9 +/- 0.4 (SE) cmH2O at base line] and then returned toward base line over 4 h. There was a brief decline in left atrial pressure after TNF alpha. Pulmonary hypertension was accompanied by leukopenia, neutropenia, and increases in the alveolar-arterial O2 difference (AaDO2). Dynamic lung compliance (Cdyn) declined after TNF alpha, reaching a nadir within 15 min of the initiation of the TNF alpha infusion [0.045 +/- 0.007 vs. 0.093 +/- 0.007 (+/- SE) l/cmH2O at base line]. Resistance to airflow across the lung (RL) increased from 1.2 +/- 0.2 cmH2O.l-1.s at base line, peaking at 5.4 +/- 1.3 cmH2O.l-1.s 30 min after the start of the TNF alpha infusion. Alterations in Cdyn and RL persisted for 4 h.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Postimaging brain distortion: magnitude, correlates, and impact on neuronavigation (1998)

This study quantified intraoperative brain distortion, determined the different behavior of tumors in four pathological groups, and identified preoperative predictors of shift with which the reliability of neuronavigation may be estimated.