gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Results of Five Randomized Studies on the Immunomodulatory Activity of Preparations of Echinacea (1995)

This article describes and discusses five placebo-controlled randomized studies investigating the immunomodulatory activity of preparations containing extracts of Echinacea in healthy volunteers. A total of 134 (18 female and 116 male) healthy volunteers between 18 and 40 years of age were studied. Two studies tested intravenous homeopathic complex preparations containing Echinacea angustifolia D1 (study 1) and D4 (study 5). Two studies (2 and 3a) tested oral alcoholic extracts of roots of E. purpurea, one study an extract of E. pallida roots (study 3b), and one study an extract of E. purpurea herb (study 4). Test and placebo preparations were applied for four (study 5) or five (studies 1-4) consecutive days. The primary outcome measure for immunomodulatory activity was the relative phagocytic activity of polymorphonuclear neutrophil granulocytes (PNG), measured in studies 1 and 2 with a microscopic method and in studies 3, 4, and 5 with two different cytometric methods. The secondary outcome measure was the number of leukocytes in peripheral venous blood. Safety was assessed by a screening program of blood and other objective parameters as well as by documentation of all subjective side effects. In studies 1 and 2 the phagocytic activity of PNG was significantly enhanced compared with placebo [maximal stimulation 22.7% (95% confidence interval 17.5-27.9%) and 54.0% (8.4-99.6%), respectively], while in the other studies no significant effects were observed. Analysis of intragroup differences revealed significant changes in phagocytic activity during the observation periods in five test and three control groups. Leukocyte number was not influenced significantly in any study. Side effects due to the test preparations could not be detected. Our studies provide evidence for immunomodulatory activity of the homeopathic combination tested in study 1 and the E. purpureae radix extract tested in study 2. The negative results of the other three studies are difficult to interpret due to the different methods for measuring phagocytosis, the relevant changes in phagocytic activity within most placebo and treatment groups during the observation period, and the small sample sizes. Future studies should be performed on patients rather than healthy volunteers and use standardized or chemically defined monopreparations of Echinacea.
Enabling faster VSB writing of 193i curvilinear ILT masks that improve wafer process windows for advanced memory applications (2020)

In advanced semiconductor memory manufacturing, mask and lithography are critical for patterning. In this paper we jointly study the benefits of a full-chip, curvilinear, stitchless inverse lithography technology (ILT) with mask-wafer cooptimization (MWCO) for memory applications. The full-chip ILT technology employed in this study, first demonstrated in a paper presented at the 2019 SPIE Photomask Technology Conference[20], produces curvilinear ILT mask patterns without stitching errors, and with process windows enlarged by over 100% compared to the OPC process of record. At the 2020 SPIE Advanced Lithography conference, a new method was introduced, in which mask-wafer cooptimization (MWCO) is performed during ILT optimization[22]. This new approach enables curvilinear ILT for 193i masks to be written on variable-shaped beam (VSB) mask writers within a practical, 12-hour time frame, while also producing the largest process windows. This new study presents the mask and wafer results using MWCO. Curvilinear ILT mask patterns written by VSB mask writer and the corresponding 193i process wafer prints are shown. Evaluations of mask write times, and mask quality in terms of CD uniformity and process windows are also presented.
Review of Parallel Computing Techniques for Computed Tomography Image Reconstruction (2006)

After we briefly review representative analytic and iterative reconstruction algorithms for X-ray computed tomography (CT), we address the need for faster reconstruction by parallel computing techniques. For a decent, a conebeam reconstruction usually takes hours on a regular PC, since most of algorithms take more than 60 iterations even longer. In order to speedup the performance, people introduce various acceleration methodologies including algorithm improvements, chip utilization, and parallel computing technique. This paper focuses on the speedup the computation using parallel computing. The first generation of parallel computing systems was based on a centralized parallel configuration. The second generation of such systems employed a cluster of general-purpose computers that are connected by a fast local area network (LAN). Hereby, we highlight distributed parallel computing techniques: from a locally distributed client-server topology to a peer-to-peer (P2P) enhanced network model. With the P2P technology, the client would be directly connected to all other computing peers seamlessly, forming a virtual parallel computer. There are multiple Internet connections between the client and other computing peers. This way, a single failure of node wouldn ’ t cause the entire failure of computation. Finally, we state that by integrating the large-scale geographically distributed systems such as Grid computing technology the future of the CT reconstruction will be highly parallel, efficient, scalable over the Internet, so will be other biomedical imaging tasks.
W-band multibeam scanning radiometric system for contraband detection applications (2004)

The development of prospective supervision systems for applications in security and customs services is discussed. An experimental W-band multibeam scanning radiometric system for people visualization is developed. A set of primary generated images been obtained. These images were obtained in closed room conditions Various materials (metal, powder, ceramic, leather) were tested as outside accessories located on the body. under light clothes. First results permit to tell about prospective use of installations designed on the proposed principles of radiometric image generation for the variety of applications destined for people operative supervision and customs examination: at customs stations and people checking points in airports, railway stations, banks, enterprises, public and sport activities etc.
Crystal Structure of the Human AAA+ Protein RuvBL1 (2006)

RuvBL1 is an evolutionarily highly conserved eukaryotic protein belonging to the AAA(+)-family of ATPases (ATPase associated with diverse cellular activities). It plays important roles in essential signaling pathways such as the c-Myc and Wnt pathways in chromatin remodeling, transcriptional and developmental regulation, and DNA repair and apoptosis. Herein we present the three-dimensional structure of the selenomethionine variant of human RuvBL1 refined using diffraction data to 2.2A of resolution. The crystal structure of the hexamer is formed of ADP-bound RuvBL1 monomers. The monomers contain three domains, of which the first and the third are involved in ATP binding and hydrolysis. Although it has been shown that ATPase activity of RuvBL1 is needed for several in vivo functions, we could only detect a marginal activity with the purified protein. Structural homology and DNA binding studies demonstrate that the second domain, which is unique among AAA(+) proteins and not present in the bacterial homolog RuvB, is a novel DNA/RNA-binding domain. We were able to demonstrate that RuvBL1 interacted with single-stranded DNA/RNA and double-stranded DNA. The structure of the RuvBL1.ADP complex, combined with our biochemical results, suggest that although RuvBL1 has all the structural characteristics of a molecular motor, even of an ATP-driven helicase, one or more as yet undetermined cofactors are needed for its enzymatic activity.
Molecular Determinants of High Affinity Dihydropyridine Binding in L-type Calcium Channels (1996)

The pore-forming alpha1 subunit of L-type voltage-gated Ca2+ channels is pharmacologically modulated by dihydropyridine (DHP) Ca2+ antagonists and agonists. Site-directed mutation of amino acids within transmembrane segments IIIS6 and IVS6 to those characteristic of DHP-insensitive channels revealed 2 mutations in IIIS6 (I1049F and I1052F) and 4 mutations in IVS6 (Y1365I, M1366F, I1372M, and I1373L) with increased KD values for (+)-[3H]PN200-110 binding. A tyrosine residue (Y1048) in IIIS6 that is conserved between DHP-sensitive and -insensitive Ca2+ channels was also altered by mutagenesis. Y1048F had a KD for (+)-[3H]PN200-110 binding that was increased 12-fold, and Y1048A had a KD at least 1000-fold higher than that of wild-type. These results support the hypothesis that transmembrane segments IIIS6 and IVS6 both contribute critical amino acid residues to the DHP receptor site and that Tyr-1048 within transmembrane segment IIIS6 is required for high affinity DHP binding, even though it is conserved between DHP-sensitive and -insensitive Ca2+ channels.
Proxy Cryptography for Secure Inter-domain Information Exchanges (2006)

In today's interconnected world, the need to access to services across domains is increasing. How to make inter-domain data exchanges secure is what we concerned. Kerberos protocol can be used to secure inter-domain information exchanges, but it cannot be applied directly in environment where boundary device such as firewall exists between domains. Proxy ElGamal encryption scheme is a way to protect data exchanges between two domains. However, there are two disadvantages in using this proxy cryptosystem. In this article, an improved proxy ElGamal cryptosystem is proposed and two secure inter-domain authentication and proxy keys distribution protocols based on the improved proxy ElGamal cryptosystem are designed, one is for trusted domains and the other is for untrusted domains. The proposed protocols make data exchanges between domains more secure and efficient.
Phytoremediation of Dairy Effluent by Constructed Wetland Technology Using Wetland Macrophytes (2010)

One of the burning problems of our industrial society is the high consumption of water and the high demand for clean drinking water. Numerous approaches have been taken to reduce water consumption, but in the long run it seems only possible to recycle wastewater into high quality water. In this study, an attempt was made to compare the efficiency of aquatic macrophytes like Typha sp., Eichhornia sp., Salvinia sp. and Pistia sp. to treat the effluents from dairy factory in constructed wetlands. The biological oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand turbidity, nutrients and total solids of dairy effluent was reduced significantly (p<0.01)after treatment. The Typha based treatment system was the most efficient in removing the pollutants from the effluent. So in conclusion, emergent species were more efficient than the floating macrophytes in constructed wetland technology.
Inspiratory Muscle Training In Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (1993)

The effects of 6 months of muscle training with an inspiratory pressure load equal to 30% of the maximal inspiratory pressure (PImax) was compared with sham training with a light inspiratory pressure load. In this double-blind randomly assigned study, 67 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were followed for 6 months. Both groups demonstrated improvements in performance of PImax, respiratory muscle endurance time for breathing against an inspiratory pressure load equal to 66% of PImax, 12-minute distance walk, and dyspnea. The treatment group did not demonstrate significant effects beyond those observed in the control group. Improvements in performance were related to improved coordination of the inspiratory muscles and desensitization to dyspnea.
Targeted Delivery of CRISPR/Cas9‐Mediated Cancer Gene Therapy via Liposome‐Templated Hydrogel Nanoparticles (2017)

Due to its simplicity, versatility, and high efficiency, the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/Cas9 technology has emerged as one of the most promising approaches for treatment of a variety of genetic diseases, including human cancers. However, further translation of CRISPR/Cas9 for cancer gene therapy requires development of safe approaches for efficient, highly specific delivery of both Cas9 and single guide RNA to tumors. Here, novel core-shell nanostructure, liposome-templated hydrogel nanoparticles (LHNPs) that are optimized for efficient codelivery of Cas9 protein and nucleic acids is reported. It is demonstrated that, when coupled with the minicircle DNA technology, LHNPs deliver CRISPR/Cas9 with efficiency greater than commercial agent Lipofectamine 2000 in cell culture and can be engineered for targeted inhibition of genes in tumors, including tumors the brain. When CRISPR/Cas9 targeting a model therapeutic gene, polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1), is delivered, LHNPs effectively inhibit tumor growth and improve tumor-bearing mouse survival. The results suggest LHNPs as versatile CRISPR/Cas9-delivery tool that can be adapted for experimentally studying the biology of cancer as well as for clinically translating cancer gene therapy.
Thin and Low-Resistivity Tantalum Nitride Diffusion Barrier and Giant-Grain Copper Interconnects for Advanced ULSI Metallization (1998)

The barrier performance and properties (resistivity, crystalline phase and surface microroughness) of tantalum nitride films, as well as the relationship between grain size and diffusivity of copper films, are reported. The resistivity and Ra roughness of Ta2N film formed by reactive sputtering using argon and nitrogen plasma are ~200 µΩcm and ~0.35 nm, respectively. The Ta2N diffusion barrier exhibits better barrier performance than Ta4N and bcc-Ta diffusion barriers. Giant-grain copper interconnects formed by sputtering in low-energy ion bombardment process show lower diffusivity than small-grain copper interconnects. The barrier performance of tantalum nitride film was evaluated by electrical measurement. An n+p junctions having 20 µm×20 µm contact holes filled with 10-nm-thick Ta2N diffusion barriers and giant-grain copper interconnects exhibit no increase in reverse-bias current after annealing at 700°C for 30 min in argon ambient.
An adaptive control system for an industrial tunnel kiln (2002)

An adaptive control system for imposing a given temperature profile in the firing zone of a ceramic tunnel kiln is described. The system is composed of a central unit connected to several remote (satellite) controllers by a serial field bus. The central unit performs system identification and synthesis of the control function, and the remote controllers implement the control function. A pole-placement algorithm is used. Several solutions are possible, depending on how the different tasks are distributed among the functional blocks. One of these allows the system to go on operating (although at the cost of the loss of the adaptive characteristic) in the case of a fault in the central unit, as the remote controllers will ensure local control. These solutions are discussed and results pertinent to control system performance, obtained from a reduced-scale version of the kiln, are given.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">></ETX>
Effect of Cadmium on Growth, Bacoside A, and Bacopaside I of<i>Bacopa monnieri</i>(L.), a Memory Enhancing Herb (2014)

Bacopa monnieri (L.) is an important medicinal plant mainly known as a memory enhancing herb. It is important to see the effect of metal pollution on its active constituents. In this context, efforts have been made to observe the effect of Cd on the triterpenoid saponins bacoside A and bacopaside I in this plant. The influence of the metal on growth parameters like protein, chlorophyll content, and biomass has also been observed. It is interesting to note that the bacoside A and bacopaside I gradually increased by the Cd treatment up to 10 μM and then decreased at higher concentrations, that is, 50 and 100 μM, but the concentration of these components was more in all the treated plants as compared to control. On the contrary, protein, chlorophyll content, and biomass decreased with the increase in metal concentration and exposure duration due to metal toxicity.
Effects of indomethacin on sunburn and suntan reactions in hairless descendants of Mexican hairless dogs. (1998)

The inhibitory effects of topical indomethacin (IM)-treatment on sunburn and suntan reactions after ultraviolet (UV)-irradiation were investigated in the dorsal skin of hairless descendants of Mexican hairless dogs. Skin color, plasma prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and histological features were examined. At 1 day after UV-irradiation, the IM-untreated sites showed prominent erythema, while the IM-treated sites exhibited few visible erythematous reactions. From 4 days after UV-irradiation, both the IM-treated and -untreated sites began to develop skin pigmentation. Assessment of skin color changes, using a colorimeter, reflected precisely the color changes in visual sunburn and suntan reactions. Plasma PGE2 concentration began to increase from 2 hours after UV-irradiation, reached the maximal values at 24 hours and recovered at 96 hours after UV-irradiation. Histologically, at 1 day after UV-irradiation, the IM-untreated sites showed remarkable epidermal degeneration (thickening and sunburn cells) and moderate alteration in the dermis. On the other hand, the IM-treated sites showed only minor histological changes. At 4 days after UV-irradiation, deposition of melanin granules was found in both the IM-treated and -untreated sites. At 7 days after UV-irradiation, pigmentation became more prominent in the stratum basale. These results revealed that UV-induced erythematous reactions of hairless dogs were closely related to the action of PGE2. Visually and histologically, topical IM-treatment had apparent inhibitory effects on erythematous reactions, while this agent showed no protective effects on epidermal pigmentation after UV-irradiation.
Risperidone-induced neutropenia: an adverse side-effect in the palliative management of delirium in a patient with lymphoma (2012)

Delirium remains a common and distressing problem for many palliative care patients, their families and staff. The effective management of delirium is an evolving area of study and traditionally has incorporated a combination of pharmacological and non-pharmacological measures. Antipsychotics remain the mainstay of pharmacological treatment but are associated with a number of common and less well known adverse effects. We report the case of a gentleman in his 80s who developed marked neutropenia following commencement of risperidone for delirium.

The patient had been diagnosed with small cell lymphocytic lymphoma on bone marrow biopsy in late 2010. He remained well until early 2012 when he developed constitutional symptoms and axillary lymphadenopathy. A lymph node biopsy confirmed Richter's transformation to diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. The patient was admitted to hospital, where he responded to prednisolone both clinically and biochemically, with the decision made for a palliative management approach. His acute hospital admission was complicated by intermittent periods of confusion and agitation. He was transferred to the palliative care unit for ongoing management and discharge planning.

No reversible cause was identified for the patient's hyperactive delirium and he was commenced on olanzapine, with resolution of his symptoms. Olanzapine was chosen for ease of administration …
Synthesis of the bacterial coenzyme methoxatin (1983)

A. R. MacKenzie, C. J. Moody and C. W. Rees, J. Chem. Soc., Chem. Commun., 1983, 1372 DOI: 10.1039/C39830001372
Putting the Brakes on Cardiac Hypertrophy (2005)

We know a great deal about the receptors and signaling pathways in cardiomyocytes that contribute to hypertrophic growth. Although drugs that target them have proven effective in substantially reducing left ventricular hypertrophy and associated mortality, cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in the West. Another approach may rest with exploiting naturally occurring regulators of maladaptive cardiac hypertrophy that have been identified in the past few years. These endogenous negative regulators can be grouped, for the most part, into those constitutively active but whose activity is decreased by hypertrophic stimulation, and those with little or no baseline activity that are activated by hypertrophic stimulation. Spanning both groups are 4 systems that converge on cyclic guanosine 3', 5'-monophosphate (cGMP) generation, namely natriuretic peptides (ANP and BNP), kinins, nitric oxide (NO), and the angiotensin II type 2 receptor (AT2). Although holding promise as a means for restricting hypertrophy, each of these signaling molecules has certain limitations that need to be overcome. What follows is an overview of research over the past 2 years, much of it published in Hypertension, which has dealt with the antihypertrophic action of this particular group of endogenous signaling molecules. Understanding the function and regulation of the antihypertrophic NO-cGMP system offers the promise of novel therapeutic strategies for treating cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure.
Short communication: Expression and alternative splicing of POU1F1 pathway genes in preimplantation bovine embryos (2011)

Early embryo loss is a major contributing factor to cow infertility and that 70 to 80% of this loss occurs between d 8 and 16 postfertilization. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms and the nature of genes involved in normal and abnormal embryonic development. Moreover, information is limited on the contributions of the genomes of dams and of embryos to the development and survival of preimplantation embryos. We hypothesized that proper gene expression level in the developing embryo is essential for embryo survival and pregnancy success. As such, the characterization of expression profiles in early embryos could lead to a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in normal and abnormal embryo development. To test this hypothesis, 2 d-8 embryo populations (degenerate embryos and blastocysts) that differed in morphology and developmental status were investigated. Expression levels of POU1F1 pathway genes were estimated in 4 sets of biological replicate pools of degenerate embryos and blastocysts. The OPN and STAT5A genes were found to be upregulated in degenerate embryos compared with blastocysts, whereas STAT5B showed similar expression levels in both embryo groups. Analysis of splice variants of OPN and STAT5A revealed expression patterns different from the total expression values of these genes. As such, measuring expression of individual transcripts should be considered in gene expression studies.
All-optical demultiplexing of 8x2.5-Gb/s pseudorandom OTDM data stream using nonlinear optical loop mirror (1998)

We demonstrate an optical time division demultiplexing from 8x2.5Gb/s pseudorandom data stream using a nonlinear optical loop mirror, or nonlinear fiber Sagnac interferometer switch. To ensure good extinction ratio of the demultiplexed signal, some experimental results show it is necessary to adjust carefully the dc bias, modulation current, compression fiber length and switching width and synchronous between the data and control pulses.