gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
High-dose progesterone infusion in healthy males: evidence against antiglucocorticoid activity of progesterone (1995)

High concentrations of unbound cortisol in late pregnancy have been explained by the antiglucocorticoid activity of high progesterone levels. To further test this hypothesis we studied the effect of high-dose progesterone on baseline and corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH)-induced hormone secretion in humans. In a double-blind crossover study eight healthy male volunteers received either progesterone (0.714 mg.kg-1.h-1 for 60 min followed by a dose of 0.45 mg.kg-1.h-1 over a total infusion time of 315 min) or vehicle as a continuous intravenous infusion. At 210 min a CRH test (0.1 microgram/kg body weight as bolus iv) was performed. Within 30 min after the start of progesterone administration the serum progesterone level increased to 454 +/- 31 nmol/l and remained in the range of third trimester pregnancy concentrations throughout the infusion period. During vehicle infusion the progesterone level remained in the normal range for healthy males and demonstrated a small but significant increase after CRH (1.52 +/- 0.23 vs 0.74 +/- 0.14 mmol/l; p < 0.01). However, baseline and CRH-stimulated serum cortisol and plasma adrenocorticotrophic hormone remained unaffected by high-dose progesterone. Moreover, unbound salivary cortisol also was not affected by progesterone, suggesting that there is no significant competition for transcortin binding sites. In conclusion, no antiglucorticoid activity was found after short-term administration of progesterone in males. These findings cast doubts on the concept that the alterations of the pituitary-adrenal axis in late pregnancy are induced by the antiglucocorticoid activity of high progesterone concentrations.
DNA integrity and motility of human spermatozoa after standard slow freezing versus cryoprotectant-free vitrification (2004)

The vitrification of human spermatozoa in the absence of conventional cryoprotectants is indeed feasible. The DNA integrity of vitrified sperm is comparable with that shown by standard slow-frozen/thawed spermatozoa, yet the method is quick and simple and does not require special cryobiological equipment.
Cyclin D1 expression is regulated by the retinoblastoma protein. (1994)

The product of the retinoblastoma susceptibility gene, pRb, acts as a tumor suppressor and loss of its function is involved in the development of various types of cancer. DNA tumor viruses are supposed to disturb the normal regulation of the cell cycle by inactivating pRb. However, a direct function of pRb in regulation of the cell cycle has hitherto not been shown. We demonstrate here that the cell cycle-dependent expression of one of the G1-phase cyclins, cyclin D1, is dependent on the presence of a functional Rb protein. Rb-deficient tumor cell lines as well as cells expressing viral oncoproteins (large tumor antigen of simian virus 40, early region 1A of adenovirus, early region 7 of papillomavirus) have low or barely detectable levels of cyclin D1. Expression of cyclin D1, but not of cyclins A and E, is induced by transfection of the Rb gene into Rb-deficient tumor cells. Cotransfection of a reporter gene under the control of the D1 promoter, together with the Rb gene, into Rb-deficient cell lines demonstrates stimulation of the D1 promoter by Rb, which parallels the stimulation of endogenous cyclin D1 gene expression. Our finding that pRb stimulates expression of a key component of cell cycle control, cyclin D1, suggests the existence of a regulatory loop between pRb and cyclin D1 and extends existing models of tumor suppressor function.
Free‐energy differences between states with different conformational ensembles (2013)

Multiple conformations separated by high-energy barriers represent a challenging problem in free-energy calculations due to the difficulties in achieving adequate sampling. We present an application of thermodynamic integration (TI) in conjunction with the local elevation umbrella sampling (LE/US) method to improve convergence in alchemical free-energy calculations. TI-LE/US was applied to the guanosine triphosphate (GTP) to 8-Br-GTP perturbation, molecules that present high-energy barriers between the anti and syn states and that have inverted preferences for those states. The convergence and reliability of TI-LE/US was assessed by comparing with previous results using the enhanced-sampling one-step perturbation (OSP) method. A linear interpolation of the end-state biasing potentials was sufficient to dramatically improve sampling along the chosen reaction coordinate. Conformational free-energy differences were also computed for the syn and anti states and compared to experimental and theoretical results. Additionally, a coupled OSP with LE/US was carried out, allowing the calculation of conformational and alchemical free energies of GTP and 8-substituted GTP analogs.
PATHOBIOLOGY OF LIPOPOLYSACCHARIDE (1997)

Lipopolysaccharide is a component of the gram-negative bacterial cell wall that is responsible for 25,000-50,000 deaths in the United States each year. The sequelae of gram-negative infection and septicemia leading to death include fever, hypotension with inadequate tissue perfusion, and disseminated intravascular coagulation. It is clear that different cell types respond differently to lipopolysaccharide. Furthermore, various autacoids and cytokines are released that can affect cellular function even in cell types that do not recognize lipopolysaccharide. Despite advances made in the etiology of septic shock and organ failure, therapy is still for the most part supportive and largely ineffective. The aim of this review is to summarize the current understanding of the role of lipopolysaccharide in the development of septicemia by examining signal transduction and therapeutic approaches.
Natural Killer Cell Recognition and Control of Epithelial Cancers (2022)

Natural killer (NK) cells possess an innate ability to recognize cancer and are key mediators of cytotoxic efficacy for anticancer antibodies. Recent advances in the ability to generate, qualify, and safely infuse NK cells have led to a wide variety of clinical trials in oncology. Although their efficacy is best established for liquid cancers, their potential application in solid cancers has received increased attention. Here, we provide general background across a disparate group of exemplary solid tumors for which there is evidence for an NK cell role, discuss NK cell recognition motifs specific to each and murine and human studies of each that are supportive of NK cell adoptive immunotherapy, and end with special considerations relevant to the solid tumor microenvironment.
Update on selective oxidation using gold (2011)

This critical review aims to update the recent development in the selective oxidation of organic compounds by gold catalysis, highlighting the progress in the last three years. Following the impressive developments in the last decades, several protocols for catalytic oxidation are today available, which are based on the extraordinary properties of gold in terms of catalytic activity, selectivity, reusability and resistance to poisons. Beside many other applications, gold can be recommended for green processes dedicated to fine chemicals, pharmaceuticals and the food industry owing to its recognized bio-compatibility. The collected literature is focused on experiments concerning the oxidation of different chemical groups and could be of interest, in the wide area of organic chemistry, for improving previous processes or for exploring new catalytic pathways (174 references).
Effect of Different Drying Methods and Storage Time on the Retention of Bioactive Compounds and Antibacterial Activity of Wine Grape Pomace (Pinot Noir and Merlot) (2012)

The effects of different drying methods (40 °C conventional and vacuum oven, 25 °C ambient air and freeze dry) on the stability of two red wine grape (Pinot Noir, PN and Merlot, M) byproducts, pomace containing skins and seeds (P) and pomace containing skins only (S) were investigated. Freeze dried samples retained the highest bioactive compounds with total phenolic content (TPC) of 21.19-67.74 mg GAE/g d.m., anthocyanin content (ACY) of 0.35-0.76 mg Mal-3-glu/g d.m., DPPH antiradical scavenge activity (ARS) of 22.01-37.46 mg AAE/g d.m., and total flavanol content (TFC) of 30.16-106.61 mg CE/g d.m., followed with ambient air dried samples. All samples lost significant amount of bioactive compounds during 16 wk of storage at 15 ± 2 °C, in which ambient air and freeze dried samples had TPC reduction of 32-56% and 35-58%, respectively, but ARS in PN-P and M-P still remained more than 50 mg TE/g d.m. Overall, TPC, ARS, and TFC were higher in PN than in M, and higher in pomace than in skins, while reverse results were observed in ACY. Pomace extracts showed higher antibacterial efficiency against Listeria innocua ATCC 51142 than Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 with minimal inhibition concentration (MIC) of 3%, 6%, 4%, and 9% against E. coli, and 2%, 7%, 3%, and 8% against L. innocua for PN-P, PN-S, M-P, and M-S samples, respectively. Dietary fiber content of samples was 57-63% of total dry matter. This study demonstrated that Pinot Noir and Merlot pomace are good sources of antioxidant dietary fibers and may be incorporated into various food products as a functional ingredient. Practical Application: Wine grape pomace (WGP), the byproduct of wine making, is a good source of polyphenols and dietary fibers and may be incorporated into various food products as a functional ingredient. This study reported the effect of four drying methods and storage at 15 ± 2 °C up to 4 months on the retention of polyphenols and antioxidant activity in two types of red WGP (with and without seeds). Antibacterial activity, dietary fiber content and the basic physicochemical properties of dried pomace powder were also reported. The information is essential for developing specific applications of the pomace.
On the Integration of Enabling Wireless Technologies and Sensor Fusion for Next-Generation Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (2022)

The automotive industry is transitioning towards intelligent, connected, and autonomous vehicles to avoid traffic congestion, conflicts, and collisions with increased driver safety. Connected and autonomous vehicles (CAV) must be aware of their surroundings and act as per their environment. Communication infrastructure can be vital in transmitting necessary information to peers and receiving critical information for timely decisions. This article provides a comprehensive review of the topic, covering the aspects of enabling wireless technologies and sensor fusion. The article reviews data acquisition using various sensing devices such as RADAR (Radio Detection and Ranging), LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), cameras, and multi-modal sensor fusion of the acquired data after signal processing. Thereafter, it reviews the communication and networking infrastructure for intra- and inter-vehicle communication and related technologies. For each of these themes, research challenges and future directions have been identified.
Preliminary Fan Design for a Silent Aircraft (2006)

Preliminary fan design for a functionally silent aircraft has been performed with noise reduction as the primary goal. For such an aircraft the fan design must, in addition to delivering low cruise fuel burn, enable low jet and fan source noise during take-off. This requires the fan to be operating at low pressure ratio and high efficiency during take-off and, for conditions where the relative tip Mach number onto the fan is supersonic, ensuring the primary shock structure is ingested into the blade passage. To meet these requirements, flyover and cruise flow coefficients are matched using a variable area nozzle at the same time as delivering low take-off FPR. This places the sideline operating point near the shoulder of the characteristic and fixes the top of climb and cruise fan pressure ratios. For a 4-engine, 250pax, 4000nm silent aircraft this approach leads to a top of climb FPR of 1.45 requiring a 39% increase in nozzle area at take-off. A fan rotor has been designed for this cycle with 20 blades, low tip loading and a 350m/s top of climb tip speed.
Color control and white light generation of upconversion luminescence by operating dopant concentrations and pump densities in Yb3+, Er3+ and Tm3+ tri-doped Lu2O3 nanocrystals (2011)

We synthesized a series of Yb3+, Er3+ and Tm3+ tri-doped Lu2O3 nanocrystals with various dopant concentrations by the hydrothermal approach. Due to a unique electronic state at the top of the valence band, Lu2O3 based materials exhibit intense upconversion luminescence involving 1G4 → 3H6 of Tm3+ in blue, (2H11/2, 4S3/2) → 4I15/2 in green and 4F9/2 → 4I15/2 in red of Er3+ upon near infrared excitation at 980 nm. The variation of upconversion spectra and color points with dopant concentrations and pump densities are studied in detail on the basis of energy transfer processes. An ideal white upconversion light with color coordinates of (0.327, 0.339) is obtained by controlling the intensity of red, green, and blue emission in Lu1.906Yb0.08Er0.008Tm0.006O3nanocrystals under a pump density of 8 W cm−2. Based on the present experimental data, we may predict the dopant concentrations and pump densities for any color point within or around the white light region in the tri-doped Lu2O3 nanocrystals.
Phase extraction from optical interferograms in presence of intensity nonlinearity and arbitrary phase shifts (2011)

We present an advanced technique to retrieve phase from multiple optical interferograms containing intensity nonlinearity and random phase shifts, which are common in practice. The proposed algorithm employs a least-squares iteration scheme to detect harmonics up to the pth order and arbitrary phase shifts simultaneously, and the phase distribution can be accurately extracted from (2p + 1) interferograms. The technique is validated by both computer simulation and real experimental results.
Hydrophobic Cysteine Poly(disulfide)‐based Redox‐Hypersensitive Nanoparticle Platform for Cancer Theranostics (2015)

Abstract Selective tumor targeting and drug delivery are critical for cancer treatment. Stimulus‐sensitive nanoparticle (NP) systems have been designed to specifically respond to significant abnormalities in the tumor microenvironment, which could dramatically improve therapeutic performance in terms of enhanced efficiency, targetability, and reduced side‐effects. We report the development of a novel L ‐cysteine‐based poly (disulfide amide) (Cys‐PDSA) family for fabricating redox‐triggered NPs, with high hydrophobic drug loading capacity (up to 25 wt % docetaxel) and tunable properties. The polymers are synthesized through one‐step rapid polycondensation of two nontoxic building blocks: L ‐cystine ester and versatile fatty diacids, which make the polymer redox responsive and give it a tunable polymer structure, respectively. Alterations to the diacid structure could rationally tune the physicochemical properties of the polymers and the corresponding NPs, leading to the control of NP size, hydrophobicity, degradation rate, redox response, and secondary self‐assembly after NP reductive dissociation. In vitro and in vivo results demonstrate these NPs’ excellent biocompatibility, high selectivity of redox‐triggered drug release, and significant anticancer performance. This system provides a promising strategy for advanced anticancer theranostic applications.
Molecular epidemiology of Klebsiella pneumoniae producing SHV-5 beta- lactamase: parallel outbreaks due to multiple plasmid transfer (1996)

Over a period of 22 months, 32 patients treated in three independent intensive care units of the Innsbruck University Hospital were infected with extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing members of the family Enterobacteriaceae (30 Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates, 1 Klebsiella oxytoca isolate, and 1 Escherichia coli isolate). As confirmed by sequencing of a bla gene PCR fragment, all isolates expressed the SHV-5-type beta-lactamase. Genomic fingerprinting of epidemic strains with XbaI and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis grouped 20 of 21 isolates from ward A into two consecutive clusters which included 1 of 3 ward B isolates. All six K. pneumoniae isolates from ward C formed a third cluster. Stool isolates of asymptomatic patients and environmental isolates belonged to these clusters as well. Additionally, 2,600 routine K. pneumoniae isolates from the surrounding provinces (population, 900,000) were screened for SHV-5 production. Only one of six nonepidemic isolates producing SHV-5 beta-lactamase was matched with the outbreak strains by genomic fingerprinting. Plasmid fingerprinting, however, revealed the epidemic spread of a predominant R-plasmid, with a size of approximately 80 kb, associated with 29 of the 30 K. pneumoniae isolates. This plasmid was also present in the single K. oxytoca and E. coli isolates from ward C and in three nonepidemic isolates producing SHV-5. Our results underline that strain typing exclusively on the genomic level can be misleading in the epidemiological investigation of plasmid-encoded extended-spectrum beta-lactamases. Our evidence for multiple events of R-plasmid transfer between species of the family Enterobacteriaceae in this nosocomial outbreak stresses the need for plasmid typing, especially because SHV-5 beta-lactamase seems to be regionally spread predominantly via plasmid transfer.
Optical characterization of Fabry-Pe/spl acute/rot MEMS filters integrated on tunable short-wave IR detectors (2006)

Optical characterization of a microspectrometer based on a voltage tunable Fabry-Pe/spl acute/rot microelectromechanical optical filter monolithically integrated on a Hg/sub x/Cd/sub 1-x/Te infrared (IR) photoconductor is presented. Wavelength tuning from 1.7 to 2.35 μm (650 nm) with less than 9 V is demonstrated. Bandwidths of less than 55/spl plusmn/5 nm and switching times of 60/spl plusmn/10 μs have been achieved. Requirements to reduce the optical bandwidth and extend the tunable range are discussed. This technology has potential applications in hyperspectral imaging and spectroscopy across the entire IR band from 1 to 12 μm.
Flip chip mounting of laser diodes with Au/Sn solder bumps: bumping, self-alignment and laser behavior (2002)

A homogeneously melting eutectic Au-Sn solder bump has been developed and used for selfaligning fluxless laser diode flip chip bonding. The eutectic solder is deposited by stacking alternating e-beam evaporated Au and Sn layers. A special 'under-bump metallization' made of a WSi/sub 0.4/N/sub 0.2/ barrier layer metallurgically separates the Au-Sn solder from the chip metallization. Therefore the bumps can be exposed to multiple reflow and soldering cycles. This results in a wide parameter window for the flip chip bonding process especially if a WSi/sub 0.4/N/sub 0.2/ barrier layer is also included in the substrate metallization. In contrast to the barrier containing substrates electroplated Au footprint pads cause a rapid growth of the gold-rich /spl zeta/-phase and spontaneous local freezing during bonding. The parameter window is thus strongly narrowed in this case. An optimized bumping scheme was integrated into the processing of 1.55 /spl mu/m (InGaAsP/lnP) laser diodes having both p- and n-contacts on the top side. The laser data have not been influenced by the flip chip bonding with the developed Au-Sn bumps.
Genetic Basis of Irritant Susceptibility in Health Care Workers (2016)

The results demonstrate that genetic variations in genes related to inflammation and skin homeostasis can influence responses to irritants and may explain inter-individual variation in the development of subsequent contact dermatitis.
Oilfield produced water treatment with surface-modified fiber ball media filtration (2002)

In order to explore the PET fiber's potential as a filter medium to treat the water produced from oil production, modification technology was adopted to modify the fiber surface. After modification, the PET fiber surface was grafted by the -COOH, =NH and -OH groups. Therefore, the property of the modified fiber changed from oleophilic to hydrophilic, which makes the fiber easy to backwash. Water produced from atypical oil field in the north of China was treated on site with filter filled with this new fiber medium. The results are compared with the results from a filter filled with currently popular walnut medium, where the experiment conditions are the same as that of the fiber filter. When the velocity is lower than 15 m/h, the effluent from fiber filter can control the oil concentration < 2.4 mg/l, SS < 2.0 mg/l, and D50 < 2 microm, which meets the requirements for waterflood (water injection) into the ground. But the walnut medium filter can only control the oil concentration < 5 mg/l, TSS < 2.0 mg/l, and failed to control the d50 < 2 microm, which is the crucial deficiency of the walnut medium. The fiber medium still shows a great ability to control particles even with higher filtration velocity and worse influent. With a filtration velocity of 20 m/h and 36.4 microm d50 of influent, the d50 of the fiber filter effluent is 3.302 microm, but that of walnut filter is 10.74 microm. The reason for this is due to the compressibiliy of the fiber medium while the walnut median is incompressible. Recommendations for future studies on pilot-scale experiments to improve backwash and to determine operational parameters are presented.
Adhesive and composite properties of LARCTM-8515 polyimide (1995)

LARC TM -8515 (Langley Research Center-8515) is an aromatic polyimide based on 3,3',4,4'-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride (BPDA) and an 85:15 molar ratio of 3,4'-oxydianiline (3,4'-ODA) and 1,3-bis(3-amnophenoxy)benzene (APB). This material is currently under evaluation as an adhesive and composite matrix resin for use in high-performance aerospace applications. The synthesis and development of the copolymer as well as studies of the effect of molecular weight on properties will be discussed. LARC TM -8515 has been evaluated as an adhesive, and titanium to titanium tensile shear strengths will be presented. Unidirectional prepreg was' made utilizing the Langley multipurpose tape machine. and the thermal and rheological properties and the solvent/volatile depletion rates of the poly(amide acid)/NMP resin system were determined. This information was used to successfully design a moulding cycle for composite preparation. Composite laminates were moulded under 200 psi, which consistently yielded good consolidation quality as measured by C-scan, acid digestion and optical photomicrography. Composite mechanical properties measured included short-beam shear strength and flexural strength and modulus at RT, 93, 150 and 177C. and compression strength (ITRI) and open hole compression (OHC) strength at RT and 177 C (wet).
Temperature‐Dependent Sex Determination in <i>Gekko japonicus</i> (Gekkonidae, Reptilia) (1985)

The effects of temperature on sexual differentiation in early development of the gekkonid lizard, Gekko japonicus were studied. The eggs were collected within 24 hr after the oviposition and were incubated at 20, 24, 28 and 32°C. The number of eggs hatched was 14 at 24°C, 20 at 28°C and 21 at 32°C. Hatching never occurred at 20°C. The hatched lizards without Müllerian ducts were judged as males. The sex of all lizards with Müllerian ducts were identified histologically. The sex ratios, male/(male+female), were 0.07 at 24°C, 0.75 at 28°C and 0.24 at 32°C. The disparities of the sex ratio from 1/2 were statistically significant and differences in the sex ratio with various incubation temperatures were also significant. These sex ratios can probably be best interpreted by a temperature-dependent sex determination. The different sex ratios do not seem to be related to a predetermination of sex with a differential mortality.