gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Considerations for the Design of Asymmetrical Mach–Zehnder Interferometers Used as Polarization Beam Splitters on a Submicrometer Silicon-On-Insulator Platform (2011)

Asymmetrical Mach-Zehnder Interferometer (MZI) structures on a submicrometer silicon-on-insulator platform are designed and analyzed when used as a polarization beam splitter (PBS). The analysis shows that it is allowed to use 2×2 power splitter/combiner couplers with a balanced ratio (50:50) for only one polarization by selecting the output ports for TE and TM polarizations appropriately. This makes the design much easier and more flexible. Examples for the design of MZI-based PBSs using directional couplers as well as multimode interference couplers are given. Finally, compensating the positive or negative wavelength shifts due to fabrication errors is proposed by using a thermal-optical effect on the two MZI arms separately. The numerical calculation shows that a small temperature increase (e.g., 30°C) is enough to compensate the wavelength shift due to an arm-waveguide width deviation of 50 nm. The parameters of MZI arm waveguides are chosen appropriately in order to make the MZI wavelength shifts (due to the fabrication errors) almost polarization independent, so that the thermal compensation approach could push the central wavelengths for both polarizations back to the designed value.
Prediction of Solvents Suitable for Crystallization of Small Organic Molecules (2005)

Selection of suitable solvent is essential for crystallization of pharmaceuticals. Based on chemical structures of 6397 compounds and 15 single solvents that were used to obtain their single crystals, correlations between the molecular characteristics and the solvents have been investigated by cheminformatics methods. Decision-tree and Bayesian-probability methods have been applied to make classification models. These two models are complementary in character in the present case. It has been proven that the prediction of the solvent rankings for particular compounds by use of the classification models is satisfactory from the practical point of view. The present study has demonstrated that cheminformatics methods could greatly help rational crystallization of small organic molecules such as pharmaceuticals.
Thermal Degradation of Cellulose and Chitin in Supercritical Acetone (1978)

Degradation of natural or man‐made polymers in supercritical acetone offers considerable advantages because sensitive products can be detected and secondary reactions largely suppressed. Cellulose and chitin serve as examples to demonstrate the conveint nature of this procedure.
Protective Effects of Sinomenine on CFA-Induced Inflammatory Pain in Rats (2018)

BACKGROUND:The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of sinomenine (SIN) on CFA-induced inflammatory pain in rats, and to explore the underlying molecular mechanisms. MATERIAL AND METHODS:To determine the potential influences of SIN in the pathogenesis of inflammatory pain, an inflammatory pain (IP) mouse model was established and rats were treated with SIN (30 mg/kg). Behavioral tests were used to assess the MWT and TWL of the rats. ELISA assay was used to detect the level of inflammation cytokines. Western blotting and qRT-PCR were carried out to measure the related protein and mRNA expression level, respectively. RESULTS:We found that the MWT and TWL of the CFA-treated rats were markedly lower than that of the control rats, and they were significantly increased by SIN administration. The results suggest that IP rats had higher levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 compared with the control rats. SIN administration decreased the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. In addition, we found that p-p65 and p-p38 expression notably decreased after SIN treatment in IP rats. Moreover, the results showed that SIN inhibited Cox-2 and PGE2 expression in IP rats. CONCLUSIONS:The data indicate that SIN had a protective role in inflammatory pain through repressing inflammatory mediators via preventing the p38MAPK-NF-κB pathway.
MADS-box genes reveal that gnetophytes are more closely related to conifers than to flowering plants (1999)

The evolutionary origin of the angiosperms (flowering plants sensu stricto) is still enigmatic. Answers to the question of angiosperm origins are intimately connected to the identification of their sister group among extinct and extant taxa. Most phylogenetic analyses based on morphological data agree that among the groups of extant seed plants, the gnetophytes are the sister group of the angiosperms. According to this view, angiosperms and gnetophytes are the only extant members of a clade called "anthophytes" to emphasize their shared possession of flower-like reproductive structures. However, most phylogeny reconstructions based on molecular data so far did not support an anthophyte clade, but also could not clarify the case because support for alternative groupings has been weak or controversial. We have isolated 13 different homologs of MADS-type floral homeotic genes from the gnetophyte Gnetum gnemon. Five of these genes fall into monophyletic gene clades also comprising putatively orthologous genes from flowering plants and conifers, among them orthologs of floral homeotic B and C function genes. Within these clades the Gnetum genes always form distinct subclades together with the respective conifer genes, to the exclusion of the angiosperm genes. This provides strong molecular evidence for a sister-group relationship between gnetophytes and conifers, which is in contradiction to widely accepted interpretations of morphological data for almost a century. Our phylogeny reconstructions and the outcome of expression studies suggest that complex features such as flower-like reproductive structures and double-fertilization arose independently in gnetophytes and angiosperms.
Production of nanoparticles-in-microparticles by a double emulsion method: A comprehensive study (2012)

A method based on a double emulsion system (solid-in-water-in-oil-in-water) has been developed for the production of nanoparticles-in-microparticles (NIMs). The distribution of nanoparticles within the NIMs was explored using light and electron microscopy and through assessment of drug loading and release profiles. The extent of nanoparticle entrapment within the NIMs was found to be dependent on the state (wet vs. dry) in which the nanoparticles were introduced to the formulation. The technique was readily adaptable to produce NIMs of different morphologies. It is proposed that NIMs and this method to produce them have broad application in drug delivery research.
Synergistic enhancement of NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity by combination of histone deacetylase inhibitor and ionizing radiation (2014)

This study suggests that the expressions of NKG2D ligands are regulated in a complex manner at the multilevel of gene expression, and that their expressions can be induced by combinatorial treatments in lung cancer cells.
Application of Dual Inhibition Concept within Looped Autoregulatory Systems toward Antivirulence Agents against <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> Infections (2016)

Pseudomonas aeruginosa quorum-sensing (QS) is a sophisticated network of genome-wide regulation triggered in response to population density. A major component is the self-inducing pseudomonas quinolone signal (PQS) QS system that regulates the production of several nonvital virulence- and biofilm-related determinants. Hence, QS circuitry is an attractive target for antivirulence agents with lowered resistance development potential and a good model to study the concept of polypharmacology in autoloop-regulated systems per se. Based on the finding that a combination of PqsR antagonist and PqsD inhibitor synergistically lowers pyocyanin, we have developed a dual-inhibitor compound of low molecular weight and high solubility that targets PQS transcriptional regulator (PqsR) and PqsD, a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of PQS-QS signal molecules (HHQ and PQS). In vitro, this compound markedly reduced virulence factor production and biofilm formation accompanied by a diminished content of extracellular DNA (eDNA). Additionally, coadministration with ciprofloxacin increased susceptibility of PA14 to antibiotic treatment under biofilm conditions. Finally, disruption of pathogenicity mechanisms was also assessed in vivo, with significantly increased survival of challenged larvae in a Galleria mellonella infection model. Favorable physicochemical properties and effects on virulence/biofilm establish a promising starting point for further optimization. In particular, the ability to address two targets of the PQS autoinduction cycle at the same time with a single compound holds great promise in achieving enhanced synergistic cellular effects while potentially lowering rates of resistance development.
An Improved Binary Differential Evolution Algorithm to Infer Tumor Phylogenetic Trees (2017)

Tumourigenesis is a mutation accumulation process, which is likely to start with a mutated founder cell. The evolutionary nature of tumor development makes phylogenetic models suitable for inferring tumor evolution through genetic variation data. Copy number variation (CNV) is the major genetic marker of the genome with more genes, disease loci, and functional elements involved. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) accurately measures multiple gene copy number of hundreds of single cells. We propose an improved binary differential evolution algorithm, BDEP, to infer tumor phylogenetic tree based on FISH platform. The topology analysis of tumor progression tree shows that the pathway of tumor subcell expansion varies greatly during different stages of tumor formation. And the classification experiment shows that tree-based features are better than data-based features in distinguishing tumor. The constructed phylogenetic trees have great performance in characterizing tumor development process, which outperforms other similar algorithms.
Plasma zinc in psoriatic in-patients treated with local zinc applications (1980)

Zinc is a major component of many local skin applications. An investigation into its systemic absorption in thirty-one psoriatic hospital in-patients is reported. Plasma zinc, copper and whole blood delta-aminolaevulinic acid dehydratase were followed before and during in-patient treatment over 14 days. No significant alteration in these parameters was detected. Significantly reduced plasma zinc levels were found in the patients compared to a matched control population.
Efficient HetNet implementation using broadband wireless access with fiber-connected massively distributed antennas architecture (2011)

We introduce a novel HetNet architecture employing fiber-connected distributed antenna systems, named broadband wireless access with fiber-connected massively distributed antennas (BWA-FMDA), which facilitates coordination of resource allocation and interference management. Among various opportunities realized by the proposed approach, our focus in this article is on CoMP for UMTS LTE femto- and picocells, to which we refer as femto-CoMP. Through extensive simulation results we demonstrate the superior performance gain of a femto-CoMP HetNet over independent femto- and picocell operation in traditional HetNet scenarios. We analyze both link- and system-level feasible throughput as well as scheduling delay for round-robin and proportional fair schedulers.
Pre-Service Mathematics Teachers' Perceptions of Using Web 2.0 Technology for Instruction and Achievement in a College Euclidean Geometry Course (2014)

The purpose of this study was to investigate the nature of pre-service mathematics teachers’ attitudes toward and perceived effectiveness of a blogging activity included as a regular component of a college Euclidean Geometry course. Descriptive statistics regarding participants’ attitudes toward and perceived effectiveness of the blogging activity were gathered using a researcher developed instrument. Additionally, an inferential statistical test was performed to determine if a relationship exists between pre-service teachers’ attitude toward the blogging activity and their performance in the course as measured by the eight in-class quizzes administered throughout the semester. Similarly, an inferential statistical test was performed to determine if a relationship exists between pre-service teachers’ perceived effectiveness of the blogging activity and their performance in the course as measured by the eight in-class quizzes. The study was conducted in a Euclidean Geometry class designed for preservice mathematics teachers enrolled in a land grant university located in the western part of the United States. The results revealed that preservice mathematics teachers tended to enjoy participating in the blogging activity and perceived that the blogging activity was effective. Additionally, the results indicated that no relationships existed between performance in the course and either attitude toward the blogging activity or the perceived effectiveness of the blogging activity. These non-significant results suggest that mathematics teachers who want to incorporate a blogging activity in their courses should not be concerned about whether the students have a strong or weak background in mathematics, as both strong and weak students seem to enjoy and potentially benefit from the use of a blogging activity as a supportive teaching and learning tool.
Melanin both causes and prevents oxidative base damage in DNA: quantification by anti-thymine glycol antibody. (1992)

The present study employs immunological methods to measure modified bases in DNA. A polyclonal antibody specific for thymine glycol was used to quantify the level of thymine glycol in calf thymus DNA gamma-irradiated in solutions containing varying concentrations of DOPA-eumelanin. Melanin decreased the number of thymine glycols produced by 200 Gy at low melanin concentrations. At high melanin concentrations, the number of thymine glycols increased. Thymine glycol was also produced in unirradiated DNA-eumelanin mixtures. DOPA-eumelanin was found to produce single-strand breaks in supercoiled phi X174 RF DNA. The breaks were measured by conversion of form I to form II as detected by agarose gel electrophoresis. The level of damage produced by melanin could be modulated by agents known either to stabilize or to scavenge active oxygen species. These studies demonstrate that melanin can both scavenge and generate active free radicals.
Effectiveness of interventions for reducing diabetes and cardiovascular disease risk in people with metabolic syndrome: systematic review and mixed treatment comparison meta‐analysis (2012)

Evidence suggests that both lifestyle and pharmacological interventions can reverse metabolic syndrome. However, there is a lack of data on whether these benefits are sustained and translate into longer term prevention of diabetes and/or cardiovascular disease.
Impact of home-based exercise on quality of life of women with primary dysmenorrhoea (2012)

Primary dysmenorrhoea is chronic cyclical pelvic pain associated with menstruation in the absence of an identifiable pathological condition. While medical treatments are available for primary dysmenorrhoea, exercise is accepted as an effective intervention. This study aimed to investigate the impact of home-based exercise on pain intensity and quality of life in women with primary dysmenorrhoea. Of 45 women with primary dysmenorrhoea included in the study, 40 completed it. At the beginning of the study baseline physical activity was determined using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Pain intensity was measured on the visual analogue scale (VAS), and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was assessed with the SF-36 health survey. A standard home-based exercise intervention was recommended for all the patients, and the outcome measures were re-assessed at the first, second and third menstrual cycles. At each menstrual cycle VAS showed a significant decrease (p<0.001). When the eight domains of the SF-36 health survey and the physical and mental component summary scores were compared between the first and fourth visits, all domains showed significant improvement (p<0.012). In our study, home-based exercise intervention seemed to provide a significant improvement in HRQoL and pain in patients with primary dysmenorrhoea.
New hypotheses about the structure–function of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9: Analysis of the epidermal growth factor‐like repeat A docking site using WaterMap (2010)

LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) is cleared from plasma via cellular uptake and internalization processes that are largely mediated by the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol receptor (LDL-R). LDL-R is targeted for lysosomal degradation by association with proprotein convertase subtilisin-kexin type 9 (PCSK9). Gain of function mutations in PCSK9 can result in excessive loss of receptors and dyslipidemia. On the other hand, receptor-sparing phenomena, including loss-of-function mutations or inhibition of PCSK9, can lead to enhanced clearance of plasma lipids. We hypothesize that desolvation and resolvation processes, in many cases, constitute rate-determining steps for protein-ligand association and dissociation, respectively. To test this hypothesis, we analyzed and compared the predicted desolvation properties of wild-type versus gain-of-function mutant Asp374Tyr PCSK9 using WaterMap, a new in silico method for predicting the preferred locations and thermodynamic properties of water solvating proteins ("hydration sites"). We compared these results with binding kinetics data for PCSK9, full-length LDL-R ectodomain, and isolated EGF-A repeat. We propose that the fast k(on) and entropically driven thermodynamics observed for PCSK9-EGF-A binding stem from the functional replacement of water occupying stable PCSK9 hydration sites (i.e., exchange of PCSK9 H-bonds from water to polar EGF-A groups). We further propose that the relatively fast k(off) observed for EGF-A unbinding stems from the limited displacement of solvent occupying unstable hydration sites. Conversely, the slower k(off) observed for EGF-A and LDL-R unbinding from Asp374Tyr PCSK9 stems from the destabilizing effects of this mutation on PCSK9 hydration sites, with a concomitant increase in the persistence of the bound complex.
Inhibitory effect and interaction of stanozolol with pig testicular cytochrome P-450 (17.ALPHA.-hydroxylase/C17.20-lyase). (1989)

The inhibitory effect of an anabolic steroid, stanozolol, on testicular microsomal cytochrome P-450 (17 alpha-hydroxylase/C17,20-lyase) (P-450(17 alpha/lyase] and the nature of the interaction were compared with those of other anabolic steroids, furazabol and mestanolone. Stanozolol markedly inhibited delta 16-C19-steroid synthesizing activity, 17 alpha-hydroxylase and C17,20-lyase activities, which were mediated by oxygenase activities of testicular microsomal cytochrome P-450(17 alpha/lyase). In addition, stanozolol was a competitive inhibitor of 17 alpha-hydroxylase (Ki = 6.31 microM) and C17,20-lyase (Ki = 1.30 microM) activities in the reconstituted enzyme system. The interaction of cytochrome P-450&17 alpha/lyase) with stanozolol induced a type I difference spectrum (peak at 387 nm and trough at 418 nm) with a dissociation constant (Ks) of 1.47 microM.
Selective Inhibition of β-Catenin/Co-Activator Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein-Dependent Signaling Prevents the Emergence of Hapten-Induced Atopic Dermatitis-Like Dermatitis (2019)

These results suggest that β-catenin/CBP-dependent signaling might be involved in the pathogenesis of AD and could be a therapeutic target.
Patch-stage mycosis fungoides associated with a swelling of the lower leg (2003)

A 45-year-old woman presented with scaly erythema on her trunk and extremities and a swelling of her left lower leg, both of which were noticed 6 years ago. A biopsy specimen from the skin showed intraepidermal infiltration of atypical lymphocytes, the finding consistent with patch-stage of mycosis fungoides (MF) . Infiltration of the same small atypical lymphocytes was also observed in the fascia and the muscle of her left lower leg associated with prominent granulomatous reaction containing many multinuclear giant cells.Immunohistochemistry showed that surface phenotypes of atypical lymphocytes infiltrating skin as well as muscle were CD3+, CD4+, CD5+, CD45RO+, CD8-, CD56-, TIAI-, and granzymeB-. Southern blot and PCR analysesshowed evidence of a clonal T-cell receptor rearrangement in skin specimens, but the results were ambiguous in muscle samples. No other visceral lesion was not detected. There was no evidence of either sarcoidosis or tuberculosis. Psoralen plus ultraviolet A therapy was effective for the skin lesion, but 30Gy of X-ray irradiation to the left lower leg made no response. The possible implications of the coexistence of the two separate lesions in the skin and the muscle were discussed. [Skin Cancer (Japan) 2003; 18: 255-258]
Churg-Strauss Syndrome Clinical Study and Long-Term Follow-Up of 96 Patients (1999)

Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS) is a systemic vasculitis characterized by the presence of asthma, hypereosinophilia, and necrotizing vasculitis with extravascular eosinophil granulomas. In this retrospective study of 96 patients between 1963 and 1995, we analyzed clinical manifestations, identified prognostic factors, and assessed the long-term outcome. CSS was diagnosed when asthma, hypereosinophilia > 1,500/mm3 or > 10%, and clinical manifestations consistent with systemic vasculitis, with or without histologic evidence, were present. Asthma was the most frequently observed manifestation at presentation, with mononeuritis multiplex the second. Other common manifestations were weight loss, fever, myalgia, skin involvement, paranasal sinusitis, arthralgia, pulmonary infiltrate, and gastrointestinal involvement. Mean eosinophilia at presentation was 7.193 +/- 6.706/mm3; ANCA, present in 20 of 42 (47.6%) patients, predominantly gave the perinuclear labeling pattern. All the patients were treated with corticosteroids alone or in combination with cyclophosphamide or plasma exchanges. Clinical remission was obtained in 91.5%; 22 (25.6%) patients relapsed. Twenty-three patients died during follow-up: 11 of these deaths were directly due to vasculitis. The presence of severe gastrointestinal tract or myocardial involvement was significantly associated with a poor clinical outcome. The long-term prognosis of CSS is good and does not differ from that of polyarteritis nodosa, although most patients need low doses of oral corticosteroids for persistent asthma, even many years after clinical recovery from vasculitis.
Preparation and Adhesion Study of Indium Tin Oxide Films on Quartz Optical Fibers (2010)

Uniform and transparent ITO films were deposited onto quartz optical fibers through a sol-gel process, and the properties of the ITO films coated quartz optical fibers were investigated. Field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), atomic force microscope (AFM) techniques and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to characterize the performance and phase of ITO films, transmittance and resistivity were measured by ultraviolet-visible (UV-VIS) spectrophotometer and avometer. Results indicated that the films are homogeneous and smooth composed of In2O3 gain with sizes of 16.5 nm, which decides the value of the resistivity. Good adhesion between ITO films and the surface of quartz optical fibers was achieved, and factors affecting the morphology, structure, and properties of the deposited ITO films were also discussed.