gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Binding of the 2F5 Monoclonal Antibody to Native and Fusion-Intermediate Forms of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 gp41: Implications for Fusion-Inducing Conformational Changes (2004)

We investigated how the broadly neutralizing monoclonal antibody 2F5 affects the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 envelope glycoprotein as it undergoes receptor-induced conformational changes and show that 2F5 binds both native and fusion-intermediate conformations, suggesting inhibition of a late step in virus entry. We also demonstrate conformational changes in the C heptad of gp41.
Adaptive Optics for Free Space Laser Communications (2010)

We discuss adaptive optics (AO) role in free-space laser communications with focus on two major challenges: the high cost of AO deployment, and high intensity scintillation levels that are typical for most communication scenarios.
Minimum-Landing-Error Powered-Descent Guidance for Mars Landing Using Convex Optimization (2010)

To increase the science return of future missions to Mars and to enable sample return missions, the accuracy with which a lander can be deliverer to the Martian surface must be improved by orders of magnitude. The prior work developed a convex-optimization-based minimum-fuel powered-descent guidance algorithm. In this paper, this convex-optimization-based approach is extended to handle the case when no feasible trajectory to the target exists. In this case, the objective is to generate the minimum-landing-error trajectory, which is the trajectory that minimizes the distance to the prescribed target while using the available fuel optimally. This problem is inherently a nonconvex optimal control problem due to a nonzero lower bound on the magnitude of the feasible thrust vector. It is first proven that an optimal solution of a convex relaxation of the problem is also optimal for the original nonconvex problem, which is referred to as a lossless convexification of the original nonconvex problem. Then it is shown that the minimum-landing-error trajectory generation problem can be posed as a convex optimization problem and solved to global optimality with known bounds on convergence time. This makes the approach amenable to onboard implementation for real-time applications.
The railplug: Development of a new ignitor for internal combustion engines. Final report (1994)

A three year investigation of a new type of ignitor for internal combustion engines has been performed using funds from the Advanced Energy Projects Program of The Basic Energy Sciences Division of the U.S. Department of Energy and with matching funding from Research Applications, Inc. This project was a spin-off of {open_quotes}Star Wars{close_quotes} defense technology, specifically the railgun. The {open_quotes}railplug{close_quotes} is a miniaturized railgun which produces a high velocity plume of plasma that is injected into the combustion chamber of an engine. Unlike other types of alternative ignitors, such as plasma jet ignitors, electromagnetic forces enhance the acceleration of the plasma generated by a railplug. Thus, for a railplug, the combined effects of electromagnetic and thermodynamic forces drive the plasma into the combustion chamber. Several engine operating conditions or configurations can be identified that traditionally present ignition problems, and might benefit from enhanced ignition systems. One of these is ultra-lean combustion in spark ignition (SI) engines. This concept has the potential for lowering emissions of NOx while simultaneously improving thermal efficiency. Unfortunately, current lean burn engines cannot be operated sufficiently lean before ignition related problems are encountered to offer any benefits. High EGR engines have similar potential for emissions improvement, but also experience similar ignition problems, particularly at idle. Other potential applications include diesel cold start, alcohol and dual fuel engines, and high altitude relight of gas turbines. The railplug may find application for any of the above. This project focused on three of these potential applications: lean burn SI engines, high EGR SI engines, and diesel cold start.
Antigen discovery: A postgenomic approach to paratuberculosis diagnosis (2007)

Paratuberculosis is a chronic enteritis caused in domestic and wild ruminant species by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) that is responsible for major economic losses to the agricultural industry. To date, no satisfactory therapeutic, vaccine, or diagnostic tools are available, globally impairing all control programs. In this study, we have undertaken a large-scale postgenomic analysis of MAP proteins, to identify specific antigens that could potentially improve the diagnosis of paratuberculosis. Two complementary approaches were implemented, the first one consisting in the systematic proteomic identification of proteins present in MAP culture filtrates (CFs), followed by the selection of MAP-specific proteins by BLAST query on available mycobacterial genomes. The resulting database represents the first established secretome of MAP and a useful source of potentially specific antigens. The second approach consisted in the immunoproteomic analysis of both MAP extracts and CFs, using sera from MAP-infected and uninfected cattle. Combining results obtained with both approaches resulted in the identification of 25 candidate diagnostic antigens. Five of these were tested in an ELISA assay for their diagnostic potential, on a limited panel of field sera, and the combination of three of them competed in performance with available commercial assays, reaching a test sensitivity of 94.74% and specificity of 97.92%.
Submicrosecond electro-optic switching in the liquid-crystal smectic <i>A</i> phase: The soft-mode ferroelectric effect (1987)

A new liquid-crystal electro-optic modulating device similar to the surface-stabilized ferroelectric liquid-crystal device is described. It uses the same kind of ferroelectric chiral smectics and the same geometry as that device (thin sample in the ‘‘bookshelf ’’ layer arrangement) but instead of using a tilted smectic phase like the C* phase, it utilizes the above-lying, nonferroelectric A phase, taking advantage of the electroclinic effect. The achievable optical intensity modulation that can be detected through the full range of the A phase is considerably lower than for the surface-stabilized device, but the response is much faster. Furthermore, the response is strictly linear with respect to the applied electric field. The device concept is thus appropriate for modulator rather than for display applications. We describe the underlying physics and present measurements of induced tilt angle, of light modulation depth, and of rise time.
High gain radiating structure using multi-layered metallic disks [microstrip antenna] (2004)

In this paper, a new metallic disk array structure, stacked uniformly and finitely towards the boresight direction on a microstrip patch element, was proposed for high gain. The proposed multi-layered disk array structure (MDAS) plays the role of parasitic elements of the microstrip patch exciter. It is light and low-cost, and is not affected by environmental temperature characteristics because the metal disk arrays are implemented on a thin dielectric film. The MDAS can produce an element beam pattern focused in the boresight by the natural mutual coupling characteristics between longitudinal parasitic elements in free space. Therefore, radiation efficiency is high.
Somatostatin Receptor 1 Selective Analogues:  4. Three-Dimensional Consensus Structure by NMR (2004)

The three-dimensional NMR structures of six analogues of somatostatin (SRIF) are described. These analogues with the amino acid 4-(N-isopropyl)-aminomethylphenylalanine (IAmp) at position 9 exhibit potent and highly selective binding to human SRIF subtype 1 receptors (sst(1)). The conformations reveal that the backbones of these analogues have a hairpin-like structure similar to the sst(2)-subtype-selective analogues. This structure serves as a scaffold for retaining a unique arrangement of the side chains of d-Trp(8), IAmp(9), Phe(7), and Phe(11) or m-I-Tyr(11) (m-I-Tyr = mono-iodo-tyrosine). The conformational preferences and results from biological analyses of these analogues(1,2) allow a detailed study of the structure-activity relationship of SRIF. The proposed consensus pharmacophore of the sst(1)-selective analogues requires a unique set of distances between an indole/2-naphthyl ring, an IAmp side chain, and two aromatic rings. This motif is necessary and sufficient to explain the binding affinities of all of the analogues studied and is distinct from the existing models suggested for sst(4) as well as sst(2)/sst(5) selectivity.
A Wavelength Dispersive Instrument for Characterizing Fluorescence and Scattering Spectra of Individual Aerosol Particles on a Substrate (2016)

Abstract. We describe a novel, low-cost instrument to acquire both elastic and inelastic (fluorescent) scattering spectra from individual micron-size particles in a multi-particle collection on a microscope slide. The principle of the device is based on a slitless spectroscope often employed in astronomy to determine the spectra of individual stars in a star cluster, but that had not been applied to atmospheric particles. Under excitation, most commonly by either a 405 nm diode laser or a UV light emitting diode (LED), fluorescent emission spectra of many individual particles can be determined simultaneously. The instrument can also acquire elastic scattering spectra from particles illuminated by a white light source. Advantages and disadvantages of using black-and-white cameras compared to color cameras are given. The primary motivation for this work has been to develop an inexpensive technique to characterize fluorescent biological aerosol particles. An example of an iPhone-enabled device is also shown as a means for collecting data on biological aerosols at lower cost or utilizing citizen scientists for expanded data collection.
Synthesis and determination of configuration of natural 25-hydroxyvitamin D <sub>3</sub> 26,23-lactone (1981)

The four stereoisomers of 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3) 26,23-lactone were synthesized by a stereoselective lactonization method. Natural 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3) 26,23-lactone was produced from 25-hydroxy-[3alpha-(3)H]vitamin D(3) by in vitro incubation of kidney homogenate prepared from vitamin D-supplemented chickens or was isolated from the serum of rats given 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) and 25-hydroxy-[3alpha-(3)H]vitamin D(3). The four synthetic isomers and the naturally produced 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3) 26,23-lactone were subjected to high-performance liquid chromatography in a system capable of separating the four isomers. The natural lactone comigrated with synthetic (23S,25R)-25-hydroxyvitamin D(3) 26,23-lactone, establishing it as the natural vitamin D(3) metabolite.
Stabilization of the Collagen Triple Helix by<i>O</i>-Methylation of Hydroxyproline Residues (2008)

Collagen is the most abundant protein in animals, including humans. The prevalent (2S,4R)-4-hydroxyproline (Hyp) residues of collagen are known to confer great stability upon its triple-helical conformation. The basis for that stability has been attributed to hydration of the pendant hydroxyl groups. Here, that attribution is shown to be incorrect. Replacement of the natural Hyp residues with synthetic (2S,4R)-4-methoxyproline (Mop) residues is shown by circular dichroism spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry to increase the conformational stability of the collagen triple helix. The thermodynamic parameters indicate that, as expcted, O-methylation decreases the hydration of the triple helix. Apparently, hydration of Hyp residues is deleterious, rather than advantageous, to the collagen triple helix. The crystal structure of Ac-Mop-OMe reveals the manifestation of two stereoelectronic effects: a gauche effect and an n → π* interaction, which preorganize the main-chain atoms properly for triple-helix formation. Thus, the conformational stability conferred upon the collagen triple helix by O-methylation provides strong evidence that the hydroxyl group of Hyp acts primarily through stereoelectronic effects and that its hydration provides no benefit. This information could have practical utility, as Mop could be prepared in situ by the O-methylation of Hyp residues in natural collagen. Such a semisynthetic collagen could have superior properties as a biomaterial.
ChemInform Abstract: Electrosynthesis of Imidazolium Carboxylates. (2014)

Abstract For the first time the synthesis of imidazolium carboxylates is efficiently achieved by electrochemical reduction of imidazolium salts under very mild conditions.
Design and analysis of control strategies for vehicle platooning (2016)

This paper presents a novel vehicle platoon control algorithm using Vehicle to Vehicle (V2V) and Vehicle to Infrastructure (V2I) wireless communications between platoon members. A platoon forms a chain of vehicles (e.g., trucks) for improved traffic and fuel efficiency. Platooning algorithms aim to maintain small inter-vehicular distance between vehicles under dynamic driving conditions like acceleration and deceleration. The random delay and dropped messages have a pronounced impact on the control algorithm especially in a congested communication network. In this work, a decentralized platooning control strategy is proposed such that each vehicle can independently switch between multiple controller strategies dependent on communication topologies or the pattern of information exchange from vehicles in-front. The control strategy takes into account V2V communication delay of up to 100ms. In order to overcome the impact of dropped messages a predictive control scheme is proposed. We show the existence of well-known Common Quadratic Lyapunov Function (CQLF), to prove the stability of this switched system. Simulation results show that the proposed control algorithm maintains stability and can keep the inter-vehicle gap deviation less than ±6.3% under imperfect communication conditions for a sinusoidal acceleration input between ±2m/s <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sup> :
Selection of a nucleopolyhedrovirus isolate from <i>Helicoverpa armigera</i> as the basis for a biological insecticide (2013)

The insecticidal properties of HearSNPV-SP1 mean that this strain is likely to prove useful as the basis for a biological insecticide for control of Helicoverpa armigera in Spain.
Computer vision and pursuit–evasion game theoretical controls for ground robots (2019)

A hardware-in-loop control framework with robot dynamic models, pursuit–evasion game models, sensor and information solutions, and entity tracking algorithms is designed and developed to demonstrate discrete-time robotic pursuit–evasion games for real-world conditions. A parameter estimator is implemented to learn the unknown parameters in the robot dynamics. For visual tracking and fusion, several markers are designed and selected with the best balance of robot tracking accuracy and robustness. The target robots are detected after background modeling, and the robot poses are estimated from the local gradient patterns. Based on the robot dynamic model, a two-player discrete-time game model with limited action space and limited look-ahead horizons is created. The robot controls are based on the game-theoretic (mixed) Nash solutions. Supportive results are obtained from the robot control framework to enable future research of the robot applications in sensor fusion, target tracking and detection, and decision making.
Cycloalkyl-Substituted Amidrazones: A Novel Class of Insect Control Agents (1998)

A series of cycloalkyl-substituted amidrazones has been prepared. Certain members of this series have shown activity against coleopteran pests such as Southern corn rootworms and boll weevils. Activity against certain lepidopterous species including southern armyworms and tobacco budworms has also been observed. This report details the synthesis and insecticidal activity of these compounds. Preliminary structure-activity relationships are also presented.
Evaluation of an Artificial Pancreas with Enhanced Model Predictive Control and a Glucose Prediction Trust Index with Unannounced Exercise (2018)

In this population of well-controlled patients, we conclude that eMPC with trust index AP achieved nearly 90% time in the target glucose range. Additional studies will further validate these results.
(Invited) Textile-based Electronic/fluidic Platforms Towards Wearable Diagnostic Sensor Systems (2022)

The fields of flexible electronics and microfluidic-based labs-on-a-chip continue to advance, with new devices and systems-level technologies reported on a daily basis. However, much of this advancement is limited to each of these fields separately, rather than development of platforms for combining flexible electronics and microfluidics together to realize wearable sensors and sensor systems. We present new approaches for combining electronics and microfluidic devices together on wearable textile-based substrates, resulting in combined systems that are highly portable, mechanically flexible, and can be easily integrated with clothing. We develop polymer materials traditionally used for artistic designs on clothing for use as engineering materials, i.e., as the base polymer for conductive electronics that can be integrated with polymer microfluidic channels printed in the same materials. Unlike other techniques, our technologies and materials are highly compatible with clothing-based textiles, and result in non-polarizable electrodes for improved frequency response. Our platforms can be laundered, facilitating rugged wearable devices and systems for biomedical and environmental monitoring. Application areas for our flexible and wearable platforms include health care, worker safety, food safety, consumer devices, personalized medicine and biomedical and environmental monitoring. We present technologies for specific applications that include: lighting and health monitors for safety vests; heart and perspiration (pH, lactate) monitors for athletic clothing; and wearable bioelectric and biochemical monitoring.
Midwave-infrared semiconductor lasers with InAs/GaInSb broken-gap-superlattice active regions (1995)

InAs/GalnSb broken-gap superlattices (BGSLs) are attractive candidates for midwave-infrared (MWIR) laser active regions because they possess sufficient degrees of freedom to tailor the valence band structure while keeping the strain low enough to prevent the formation of misfit dislocations. The valence band structure can be optimized to suppress Auger recombination and to reduce the density of states at k = 0, thereby reducing laser threshold. Here we report the first MWIR MQW laser diodes with InAs/Ga0 75In0.25Sb BGSL quantum wells. The laser structures employ Ga0.75In0.25As0.22Sb0.78 barrier layers, and InAs/AlSb superlattice cladding layers with an AlSb blocking layer deposited directly on top of the p-type superlattice clad for enhanced electron confinement. The Ga„ 75In0 75As0 22Sb0 78 barriers yield a type- 1 MQW with the BGSL active region, confining both electrons and holes, as well as enhancing the optical confinement factor of the structure due to their relatively large refractive index.
Bimodal “matrix-free” polymer nanocomposites (2015)

“Matrix-free” nanocomposites with a bimodal population of polymer brushes for optimizing filler loading while maintaining controlled dispersion.
A modified time-switching relaying protocol for multi-destination relay networks with SWIPT (2018)

In this paper, we propose a modified time-switching relaying (TSR) protocol for dual-hop relay networks with simultaneous wireless information and power transfer (SWIPT) technique. We study the outage performance of the proposed TSR protocol and compare it with the conventional TSR and power-splitting relaying (PSR) protocols. A unified analytical expression is derived for the outage probability, in addition to studying the performance at high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) values where a unified approximate expression for the outage probability is provided and analyzed in terms of diversity order and coding gain. The results show that the proposed TSR protocol outperforms the conventional TSR protocol existing in literature. Also, findings illustrate that applying the SWIPT technique in multi-destination relay networks results in a unity diversity order.
Acetylcholine receptor–specific immunosuppressive therapy of experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis and myasthenia gravis (2018)

Experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis (EAMG) and myasthenia gravis (MG) are caused by autoantibodies to the extracellular domain of muscle nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (AChRs). Autoantibodies to the cytoplasmic domain of AChRs do not cause EAMG because they cannot bind AChRs in vivo. The ideal MG therapy would quickly and permanently suppress only the pathological autoimmune response to AChRs. We have developed a specific immunosuppressive therapy for EAMG that involves immunizing rats with bacterially expressed cytoplasmic domains of human muscle AChRs. Therapy prevents onset of chronic EAMG, rapidly suppresses ongoing EAMG, and is potent, robust, long lasting, and safe, because the therapeutic antigen cannot induce EAMG. The therapy was developed using incomplete Freund's adjuvant, but is likely to work equally well with alum adjuvants routinely used for human immunizations. Therapeutic mechanisms may involve a combination of antibody-mediated feedback suppression and regulatory T and/or B lymphocytes.
A subharmonic mixer using a planar doped barrier diode with symmetric conductance (1982)

Planar doped barrier (PDB) diodes with symmetric IV characteristics have been successfully used in a subharmonically-pumped coplanar stripline mixer circuit. A conversion loss around 6 dB has been measured using a 1.2 GHz local oscillator at a pump power of 7 dBm and a 2 GHz signal frequency for large area, 100 µm diameter PDB mesa diodes. The particular advantages of this device structure are that a single PDB replaces two critically matched Schottky barrier diodes in conventionally balanced mixers, and the PDB's designable barrier height reduces the local oscillator power requirement.
Metal-Supported Carbogenic Molecular Sieve Membranes:  Synthesis and Applications (1997)

Carbogenic molecular sieve membranes supported on macroporous sintered stainless steel flat plates have been synthesized by pyrolysis of a (poly)furfuryl alcohol−acetone solution imbibed within the surface pores of the support. Permeances of H2, He, Ar, O2, N2, and SF6 were measured to determine the permselectivity of these membranes. Experiments performed on flat-plate membranes revealed molecular sieving behavior with the permeance decreasing with increasing molecular size. Separation factors of 2−3 for O2/N2 and up to 30 for H2/N2 were obtained from single gas permeation experiments at 293 K. Higher temperature experiments demonstrated the activated nature of transport of various molecules. A 1:1 O2/N2 mixture was partially separated over a range of pressures at steady state. The lack of pressure dependence of the permeances indicated that shape- and size-selective effects dominated the separation. An EDAX analysis of the flat-plate surface reveals a defect-free CMS layer.