gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Inorganic Nanocrystal Self-Assembly via the Inclusion Interaction of β-Cyclodextrins:  Toward 3D Spherical Magnetite (2005)

Synthesis and three-dimensional (3D) assembly of magnetite nanocrystals were realized by a one-pot procedure, in which Fe(acac)3 (acac = acetylacetonate) was partly reduced by hydrazine accompanied with ethylene glycol and spontaneously assembled into spherical nanostructures in the presence of surfactants including beta-cyclodextrin, oleic acid, and oleylamine. The size of the assembled spheres can coarsely be controlled in a limited range (100 nm to 2 microm) by changing the reaction temperature and the concentration of beta-cyclodextrin. X-ray diffraction and far Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were employed to clarify the structures of magnetite in the assembled spheres. Electron diffraction pattern in a selected-area exhibits a high-crystallinity characteristic of cubic structure magnetite. We found that the formation of spherical magnetite aggregates highly depends on the presence of beta-cyclodextrin, while oleic acid and oleylamine improve the morphology of individual magnetite nanoparticles in the assembled spheres. In addition, the thermal gravimetric analysis and differential thermal analysis were applied to determine the content of magnetite in the products. Magnetic properties were also studied by using a superconducting quantum interference device magnetometer.
Experimental Studies of Plasma Actuator Performance for Separation Control (2010)

on airfoils 1-4 . A plasma actuator is a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) device that can be used to selectively add momentum to fluid flow over a surface to effect flow separation. Our research program is directed at studying the potential application of plasma actuators for improving the performance and efficiency of low-pressure turbines. In this application, plasma actuators can trigger the transition between laminar and turbulent flow, thus reducing drag and leading to an increase in the turbine’s efficiency. The study reported in this paper focuses on the behavior and characteristics of the plasma actuator itself and its operation under different experimental conditions, with the goal of finding ways to improve and control the plasma actuator’s efficiency for low-pressure turbine applications. In this work, DBD plasma actuators are studied in an experimental system that allows precise control of the discharge environment. The plasma actuator is operated in a vacuum chamber and its operation monitored by an array of diagnostic techniques. Measurements of the discharge current and voltage along with time resolved imaging of the discharge utilizing an Intensified Charge-Coupled Device (ICCD) camera provide information about the discharge characteristics. A lever-style balance scale system is used for measurement of the thrust generated by the plasma actuator. A capacitor-based technique allows for power measurements, from which the efficiency (thrust/power) of plasma actuators of varying designs can be compared. A key goal of this study is to arrive at scaling laws for plasma actuator performance as a function of the operating parameters (e.g., permittivity of the dielectric, frequency and amplitude of the applied voltage, and geometry of the plasma actuator). We expect such scaling laws to be of great value in the design of more effective plasma actuators for use in low-pressure turbines.
Quantitative Evaluation of Endothelial Progenitors and Cardiac Valve Endothelial Cells: Proliferation and Differentiation on Poly-glycolic acid/Poly-4-hydroxybutyrate Scaffold in Response to Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Transforming Growth Factor <i>β</i> <sub>1</sub> (2003)

Three-dimensional scaffolds made of bioabsorbable polymeric constituents are currently being tested for use in tissue engineering of various tissues. A composite scaffold of poly-glycolic acid (PGA) non-woven mesh dip-coated in a 1% solution of poly-4-hydroxybutyrate (P4HB) was shown to be suitable as a scaffold for creation of tissue-engineered trileaflet pulmonic valve replacements in sheep [Hoerstrup, S.P., et al., Circulation 102(Suppl. 3), III44, 2000]. However, little is known about how cells seeded on PGA/P4HB respond in vitro to soluble factors supplied in the culture medium. To optimize tissue development in vitro, before implantation, we set out to develop quantitative biochemical assays to measure how cells seeded on PGA/P4HB respond to growth and differentiation factors. Herein we show that ovine aortic valvular endothelial cells and circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) seeded onto PGA/P4HB proliferate in response to vascular endothelial growth factor and transdifferentiate to a mesenchymal phenotype in response to transforming growth factor beta(1). Transdifferentiation from an endothelial to mesenchymal phenotype is a critical step during embryonic development of cardiac valves. Our results demonstrate that valvular endothelial cells and EPCs isolated from peripheral blood can recapitulate critical developmental steps on PGA/P4HB. These results demonstrate that PGA/P4HB provides a conducive environment for cellular proliferation, differentiation, and tissue development.
Mitochondrial DNA mutations activate the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway and cause dilated cardiomyopathy (2002)

mtDNA mutations therefore are pathogenic, and seem to trigger apoptosis through the mitochondrial pathway.
Mechanism-Based Therapeutics for Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease: Recent Progress and Future Prospects (2011)

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most common inherited kidney disease, accounting for up to 10% of patients on renal replacement therapy. There are presently no proven treatments for ADPKD and an effective disease-modifying drug would have significant implications for patients and their families. Since the identification of PKD1 and PKD2, there has been an explosion in knowledge identifying new disease mechanisms and testing new drugs. Currently, the three major treatment strategies are to: (1) reduce cAMP levels; (2) inhibit cell proliferation, and (3) reduce fluid secretion. Several compounds shown to be effective in preclinical models have already undergone clinical trials and more are planned. In addition, a whole raft of other compounds have been developed from preclinical studies. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the results of recent published trials, review current trials and highlight the most promising compounds in the pipeline. There appears to be no shortage of potential candidates, but several key issues need to be addressed to facilitate clinical translation.
Microbial Interactions during Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (2008)

Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, and Staphylococcus aureus often colonize the nasopharynx. Children are susceptible to bacterial infections during or soon after upper respiratory tract infection (URI). We describe colonization with these 4 bacteria species alone or in combination during URI. Data were from a prospective cohort of healthy children 6 to 36 months of age followed up for 1 year. Analyses of 968 swabs from 212 children indicated that S. pneumoniae colonization is negatively associated with colonization by H. influenzae. Competitive interactions shifted when H. influenzae and M. catarrhalis colonized together. In this situation, the likelihood of colonization with all 3 species is higher. Negative associations were identified between S. pneumoniae and S. aureus and between H. influenzae and S. aureus. Polymicrobial interactions differed by number and species of bacteria present. Antimicrobial therapy and vaccination strategies targeting specific bacterial species may alter the flora in unforeseen ways.
Lessons learned from installation of an environmental horizontal well (1994)

At Williams Air Force Base near Phoenix, Arizona, a Pilot Study/Demonstration Study is being performed to evaluate the effectiveness of horizontal vs vertical wells in remediating and containing a jet fuel contaminant plume. An early stage of this project included successful installation of the world`s longest, deepest environmental horizontal wells. The horizontal well was installed using river crossing technology developed for drilling boreholes and installing utility conduits under rivers. Boreholes over 5,000 ft long have been successfully installed using river crossing technology. However, these boreholes are typically shallower than 100 ft below land surface (BLS). Installation of the environmental horizontal well proved to be extremely challenging because of the depth (235 ft BLS), the length (2,500 ft) of the borehole, and the requirements dictated by well installation criteria. Two installation attempts failed before the successful installation.
Do augmentative and alternative communication interventions really make a difference?: the challenges of efficacy research (1999)

The empirical evidence to support the efficacy of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) interventions is still quite limited. Further efficacy research is urgently needed to establish best practices, maximize outcomes, ensure accountability, and justify cost. However, conducting efficacy research in the AAC field poses significant challenges because of the heterogeneity of the population of AAC users, the complexity of AAC systems and interventions, and the intricacies of the communication process. This paper discusses some of the challenges confronted when conducting AAC efficacy research—challenges in defining meaningful research questions, determining appropriate methods to investigate these questions, and analyzing the results or outcomes of efficacy research. Some potential solutions to these challenges are discussed and illustrated using examples from current efficacy research on AAC interventions to build communicative competence.
Oligosaccharide Esters from the Roots of <i>Polygala </i><i>a</i><i>rillata</i> (2000)

Two new sucrose esters, arillatoses A (1) and B (2), and four new trisaccharide esters, arillatoses C-F (3-6), were isolated from the roots of Polygala arillata, together with four known sucrose esters, glomeratose E (7) and sibiricoses A(1) (8), A(5) (9), and A(6) (10). The structures of the new compounds were elucidated on the basis of chemical and spectroscopic evidence.
Development of a Situational Interaction Game for Improving Preschool Children' Performance in English-Vocabulary Learning (2018)

Nowadays, obtaining the competitive advantage of global, a foreign language, especially English, has great importance. Prior studies have noted that many English learning materials were presented in the form of papers, digital games and digital animation, lacking of efficient interaction and emotional connection. For this reason, this study incorporated the features of Augmented Reality and mobile devices to develop a mobile augmented reality game in preschool English-vocabulary learning. To evaluate the effectiveness of this system, an experiment has been conducted in northern Taiwan to examine the students' performance in term of learning achievements, learning interests and cognition load. As measuring tools, a pre-test, a post-test and a questionnaire were used. From the experimental results, it is found that even the students who learn with the mobile AR interaction game have similar learning achievements with those who learn with the traditional physical cards approach, the situational interaction gaming approach could significantly improve the students' learning interest and decrease cognition load.
The Gmicro/100 32-bit microprocessor (1991)

A description is given of the Gmicro/100, a 32-b VLSI microprocessor based on the TRON specification. The Gmicro/100 five-stage pipeline, prejump mechanism, and bitmap manipulation are examined. Performance results are reported. They show that the prejump mechanism, implemented as a hardware solution for the jump problem, executes benchmark programs 16.8% faster on the average. Optimized microinstructions permit bitmap-manipulation instructions to perform two to five times faster than the software loops. The application-specific standard product approach used to implement Gmicro/100 is discussed.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">></ETX>
Modulation of quantum-electronic devices by bending of special mems structures (2005)

Micromechanical structures can be employed to modulate the performance of quantum-electronic devices. The available possibilities are reviewed and the resulting device behaviour is estimated. In particular one- and zero-DEG concepts are evaluated first. Then, resonant tunnelling and quantum cascading are discussed. The applications concern microwave and optical concepts. Finally, quantum structures for field emission of electrons are reviewed.
Long-Term Bile Diversion Enhances Basal and Duodenal Oleate-Stimulated Pancreatic Exocrine Secretion in Dogs (2004)

There have been no previous reports whether long-term bile diversion enhances pancreatic exocrine secretion. The aim of this study was to elucidate the effect of long-term bile diversion on pancreatic exocrine secretion. Four mongrel dogs were prepared for chronic gastric and pancreatic fistulas and received intraduodenal sodium oleate infusion (controls). These dogs, then underwent diversion of bile from the intestines by ligating the common bile duct and interposing a segment of jejunum between the gallbladder and the urinary bladder (total biliary diversion [TBD]). After three weeks, the dogs received an identical sodium oleate infusion. TBD augmented basal pancreatic exocrine secretion compared with controls (4.4-fold increase in basal flow volume; 9.0-fold increase in bicarbonate output; and 3.3-fold increase in protein output). Likewise, TBD augmented oleate-stimulated exocrine secretion (2.0-fold increase in cumulative flow volume; 2.6-fold increase in bicarbonate output; and 1.4-fold increase in protein output). TBD also augmented basal and oleate-stimulated plasma cholecystokinin levels. Administration of a Cholecystokinin-A receptor antagonist (loxiglumide) after TBD reduced the flow volume and bicarbonate output to the control levels, and the protein output to less than a half of the control level. Long-term bile diversion enhances basal and oleate-stimulated pancreatic exocrine secretion, at least partly via increased cholecystokinin secretion.
Minimum classification error training for a small amount of data enhanced by vector-field-smoothed Bayesian learning (2002)

This paper describes an efficient method of attaining the highest level of recognition performance yet achieved in minimum classification error (MCE) training for a small amount of data. This method combines MCE and vector-field-smoothed Bayesian learning called MAP/VFS. In the proposed method, the training capability of MCE in robust acoustic modeling can be significantly enhanced with MAP/VFS. In the method, MCE training is performed using an initial model trained through MAP/VFS. The same data are used in both training. For speaker adaptation using 50-word training data, the error reduction rate drastically rises to 47% compared with 16.5% when using only MCE. This high rate, in which 39% is due to MAP, an additional 4% is due to VFS, and a further improvement of 4% is due to MCE, can be attained by enhancing MCE training capability with MAP/VFS.
The Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor mGlu7 Activates Phospholipase C, Translocates Munc-13-1 Protein, and Potentiates Glutamate Release at Cerebrocortical Nerve Terminals (2010)

At synaptic boutons, metabotropic glutamate receptor 7 (mGlu7 receptor) serves as an autoreceptor, inhibiting glutamate release. In this response, mGlu7 receptor triggers pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein activation, reducing presynaptic Ca(2+) influx and the subsequent depolarization evoked release. Here we report that receptor coupling to signaling pathways that potentiate release can be seen following prolonged exposure of nerve terminals to the agonist l-(+)-phosphonobutyrate, l-AP4. This novel mGlu7 receptor response involves an increase in the release induced by the Ca(2+) ionophore ionomycin, suggesting a mechanism that is independent of Ca(2+) channel activity, but dependent on the downstream exocytotic release machinery. The mGlu7 receptor-mediated potentiation resists exposure to pertussis toxin, but is dependent on phospholipase C, and increased phosphatidylinositol (4,5)-bisphosphate hydrolysis. Furthermore, the potentiation of release does not depend on protein kinase C, although it is blocked by the diacylglycerol-binding site antagonist calphostin C. We also found that activation of mGlu7 receptors translocate the active zone protein essential for synaptic vesicle priming, munc13-1, from soluble to particulate fractions. We propose that the mGlu7 receptor can facilitate or inhibit glutamate release through multiple pathways, thereby exerting homeostatic control of presynaptic function.
24 GHz automotive radar planar Luneburg lens (2007)

A planar Luneburg lens whose permittivity distribution is modified by two types of hole density control in the central region and by dielectric thickness control in the edge region is reported. The lens was designed to operate at 24 GHz in Transverse Electromagnetic (TEM) mode. Experimental radiation patterns show good agreement with the simulation. The measured 3 dB beamwidth of the vertical polarised H-plane pattern is 5° with 14 dB gain at 24 GHz for a 12.2λ, 15.24 cm diameter lens, cross polar levels were below −30 dB. Its small size and lightweight, 53% of material is removed, and better than 20% bandwidth makes it useful for vehicular use in the 24 GHz unlicensed Industrial, Scientific, Medical (ISM) equipment band and for 24 GHz short range radar applications.
Mobility Shift DNA‐Binding Assay Using Gel Electrophoresis (2001)

DNA-binding assay using nondenaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) provides a simple, rapid, and extremely sensitive method for detecting sequence-specific DNA-binding proteins. Proteins that bind specifically to an end-labeled DNA fragment retard the mobility of the fragment during electrophoresis, resulting in discrete bands corresponding to the individual protein-DNA complexes. The assay described in this unit can be used to test binding of purified proteins or of uncharacterized factors found in crude extracts. This assay also permits quantitative determination of the affinity, abundance, association rate constants, dissociation rate constants, and binding specificity of DNA-binding proteins. Three additional protocols describe a competition assay using unlabeled competitor DNA, an antibody supershift assay, and multicomponent gel shift assays.
A Novel Therapeutic Strategy for the Treatment of Glioma, Combining Chemical and Molecular Targeting of Hsp90a (2011)

Hsp90a's vital role in tumour survival and progression, together with its highly inducible expression profile in gliomas and its absence in normal tissue and cell lines validates it as a therapeutic target for glioma. Hsp90a was downregulated using the post-transcriptional RNAi strategy (sihsp90a) and a post-translational inhibitor, the benzoquinone antibiotic 17-AAG. Glioblastoma U87-MG and normal human astrocyte SVGp12 were treated with sihsp90a, 17-AAG and concurrent sihsp90a/17-AAG (combined treatment). Both Hsp90a gene silencing and the protein inhibitor approaches resulted in a dramatic reduction in cell viability. Results showed that sihsp90a, 17-AAG and a combination of sihsp90a/17-AAG, reduced cell viability by 27%, 75% and 88% (p < 0.001), respectively, after 72 h. hsp90a mRNA copy numbers were downregulated by 65%, 90% and 99% after 72 h treatment with sihsp90a, 17-AAG and sihsp90a/17-AAG, respectively. The relationship between Hsp90a protein expression and its client Akt kinase activity levels were monitored following treatment with sihsp90a, 17-AAG and sihsp90a/17-AAG. Akt kinase activity was downregulated as a direct consequence of Hsp90a inhibition. Both Hsp90a and Akt kinase levels were significantly downregulated after 72 h. Although, 17-AAG when used as a single agent reduces the Hsp90a protein and the Akt kinase levels, the efficacy demonstrated by combinatorial treatment was found to be far more effective. Combination treatment reduced the Hsp90a protein and Akt kinase levels to 4.3% and 43%, respectively, after 72 h. hsp90a mRNA expression detected in SVGp12 was negligible compared to U87-MG, also, the combination treatment did not compromise the normal cell viability. Taking into account the role of Hsp90a in tumour progression and the involvement of Akt kinase in cell signalling and the anti-apoptotic pathways in tumours, this double targets treatment infers a novel therapeutic strategy.
Factors influencing neuropathic pain behaviour in the chronic constriction injury models in rodents. (2004)

Contains fulltext : 59037.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access)
Progressive Parking Fines (2018)

Progressive parking fines are a way to deter the chronic violators without unfairly punishing anyone else. Progressive fines are lenient for the many cars with only a few tickets but punitive for the few cars with many tickets. When Los Angeles faced a major budget crisis in 2009, it increased the fines for all parking tickets by $5, regardless of the violation. This across-the-board hike suggests that the higher fines are more about raising money than about enforcing the law. The many tickets for a few repeat offenders suggest that modest fines do not deter drivers who view parking tickets as an acceptable gamble or just another cost of doing business. If cities raise parking fines high enough to deter the few chronic violators, they unfairly penalize many more drivers for occasional violations. Most drivers rarely or never receive a parking ticket, and for these drivers modest fines are a sufficient deterrent.
Lambda‐Toxin of <i>Clostridium perfringens</i> Activates the Precursor of Epsilon‐Toxin by Releasing Its N‐ and C‐Terminal Peptides (1997)

The effect of lambda-toxin, a thermolysin-like metalloprotease of Clostridium perfringens, on the inactive epsilon-prototoxin produced by the same organism was examined. When the purified epsilon-prototoxin was incubated with the purified lambda-toxin at 37 C for 2 hr, the 32.5-kDa epsilon-prototoxin was processed into a 30.5-kDa polypeptide, as determined by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. A mouse lethality test showed that the treatment activated the prototoxin: the 50% lethal doses (LD50) of the prototoxin with and without lambda-toxin treatment were 110 and 70,000 ng/kg of body weight, respectively. The lethal activity of the prototoxin activated by lambda-toxin was comparable to that with trypsin plus chymotrypsin and higher than that with trypsin alone: LD50 of the prototoxin treated with trypsin and trypsin plus chymotrypsin were 320 and 65 ng/kg of body weight, respectively. The epsilon-toxin gene was cloned and sequenced. Determination of the N-terminal amino acid sequence of each activated epsilon-prototoxin revealed that lambda-toxin cleaved between the 10th and 11th amino acid residues from the N-terminus of the prototoxin, while trypsin and trypsin plus chymotrypsin cleaved between the 13th and 14th amino acid residues. The molecular weight of each activated epsilon-prototoxin was also determined by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The C-terminus deduced from the molecular weight is located at the 23rd or 30th amino acid residue from the C-terminus of the prototoxin, suggesting that removal of not only N-terminal but also C-terminal peptide is responsible for activation of the prototoxin.