gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Spermicidal Activity of Oxovanadium(IV) Complexes of 1,10-Phenanthroline, 2,2′-Bipyridyl, 5′-Bromo-2′-Hydroxyacetophenone and Derivatives in Humans (1999)

We have recently reported that tetrahedral metallocene complexes containing vanadium(IV) (vanadocene) have potent spermicidal activity against human sperm. The spermicidal activity was dependent on vanadium(IV) as the central metal ion within the bis-cyclopentadienyl (Cp2)-metal complex, but the variation of diacido groups and/or replacement with bidentate ligands coordinated to the Cp2-vanadium(IV) moiety also significantly modulated the spermicidal potency. To assess the structure-activity relationship between vanadocenes and other coordination complexes of vanadium(IV), a set of 11 oxovanadium(IV) complexes with different geometrical configurations were synthesized and evaluated for spermicidal activity by computer-assisted sperm analysis. These complexes included mono and bis ancillary ligands, 1,10-phenanthroline (phen): [VO(phen), VO(phen)2, VO(Me2-phen), VO(Me2-phen)2, VO(Cl-phen), and VO(Cl-phen)2]; 2,2'-bipyridyl (bipy): [VO(bipy), VO(bipy)2, VO(Me2-bipy), and VO(Me2-bipy)2], linked via nitrogen atoms; and 5'-bromo-2'-hydroxyacetophenone (acph): [VO(Br,OH-acph)2], linked via oxygen donor atoms. All 11 oxovanadium(IV) complexes elicited concentration-dependent spermicidal activity at micromolar concentrations (EC50 values: 5.5-118 microM). The bis-phenanthroline complex of oxovanadium(IV), VO(Cl-phen)2, was the most active, and the mono bipyridyl complex, VO(bipy), was the least active; the order of efficacy was VO(Cl-phen)2 > VO(phen)2 > VO(Br,OH-acph)2 > VO(Me2-phen) > VO(bipy)2 > VO(phen) > VO(Cl-phen) > VO(Me2-phen)2 > VO(Me2-bipy)2 > VO(Me2-bipy) > VO(bipy). The neutral complex, VO(Br, OH-acph)2, induced rapid sperm immobilization (T1/2 = 38 sec). The sperm-immobilizing activity of mono- and bis-ligated oxovanadium(IV) complexes was irreversible, since the treated sperm underwent apoptosis, as determined by the flow cytometric quantitation of mitochondrial membrane potential, surface Annexin V binding assay, and in situ DNA nick-end labeling of sperm nuclei. The percentages of apoptotic sperm quantitated by the flow cytometric assay correlated well with the spermicidal potency of oxovanadium(IV) complexes. These results provide unprecedented evidence that the spermicidal and apoptosis-inducing activities of vanadium(IV) complexes are determined by the oxidation state of vanadium as well as their geometry. Because of its rapid and potent sperm-immobilizing activity, the bromo-hydroxyacetophenone complex, [VO(Br,OH-acph)2], may be useful as a contraceptive agent.
Gas-Flow Simulation in Discrete Fracture-Network Models (2004)

Summary Advanced characterization methodologies are now able to provide realistic pictures of fracture networks. We recently developed software to simulate the transient and pseudosteady-state flows of a slightly compressible fluid in discrete fracture-network (DFN) models. This simulator is used to validate the fracture-network geometry and to calibrate the hydraulic properties of the fractures through dynamic data obtained from flowmeters, interference, and well tests. This paper is dedicated to the extension of the methodology to gas cases, taking into account the high fluid compressibility and the non-Darcy flow effects near the wellbore. The main features of our simulator are described and illustrated through demonstrative examples. Our DFN simulation approach is based on an optimized explicit representation for both matrix and fracture media and a specific treatment for matrix/fracture and matrix/matrix exchanges. A pseudopressure function is included in the diffusivity equation to take into account highly compressible fluids. The hydrodynamic behavior of gas fluid flow near the wellbore is taken into account through a skin effect proportional to the flow rate for both matrix/well and fracture/well transmissivities. This innovative numerical simulator is validated against existing analytical solutions and compared with finite-volume solutions computed with a suitable grid. Then, for application purposes, a complex realistic case involving a multiscale natural fracture network with small-scale fractures and major objects such as seismic and subseismic faults is presented. An interference test is simulated on a representative DFN model and on the equivalent dual-porosity model built thanks to upscaling procedures. This upscaled reservoir model is shown to remain consistent with the geological DFN model in terms of gas flow. This example illustrates the practical use of DFN models in our fractured-reservoir-modeling workflow.
A Review of Automated Pain Assessment in Infants: Features, Classification Tasks, and Databases (2017)

Bedside caregivers assess infants' pain at constant intervals by observing specific behavioral and physiological signs of pain. This standard has two main limitations. The first limitation is the intermittent assessment of pain, which might lead to missing pain when the infants are left unattended. Second, it is inconsistent since it depends on the observer's subjective judgment and differs between observers. Intermittent and inconsistent assessment can induce poor treatment and, therefore, cause serious long-term consequences. To mitigate these limitations, the current standard can be augmented by an automated system that monitors infants continuously and provides quantitative and consistent assessment of pain. Several automated methods have been introduced to assess infants' pain automatically based on analysis of behavioral or physiological pain indicators. This paper comprehensively reviews the automated approaches (i.e., approaches to feature extraction) for analyzing infants' pain and the current efforts in automatic pain recognition. In addition, it reviews the databases available to the research community and discusses the current limitations of the automated pain assessment.
Identification of Map4k4 as a Novel Suppressor of Skeletal Muscle Differentiation (2012)

Myoblast differentiation into mature myotubes is a critical step in the development and repair of human skeletal muscle. Here we show that small interfering RNA (siRNA)-based silencing of the Ste20-like mitogen-activated protein 4 kinase 4 (Map4k4) in C2C12 myoblasts markedly enhances expression of myogenic differentiation genes, myoblast fusion, and myotube diameter. In contrast, adenovirus-mediated expression of native Map4k4 in C2C12 cells attenuates each of these processes, indicating that Map4k4 is a negative regulator of myogenic differentiation and hypertrophy. Expression of a Map4k4 kinase-inactive mutant enhances myotube formation, suggesting that the kinase activity of Map4k4 is essential for its inhibition of muscle differentiation. Map4k4 regulation of myogenesis is unlikely to be mediated by classic mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways, because no significant difference in phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), p38, or c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) is observed in Map4k4-silenced cells. Furthermore, silencing of these other MAPKs does not result in a hypertrophic myotube phenotype like that seen with Map4k4 depletion. Uniquely, Map4k4 silencing upregulates the expression of the myogenic regulatory factor Myf5, whose depletion inhibits myogenesis. Furthermore, Myf5 is required for enhancement of myotube formation in Map4k4-silenced cells, while Myf5 overexpression rescues Map4k4-mediated inhibition of myogenic differentiation. These results demonstrate that Map4k4 is a novel suppressor of skeletal muscle differentiation, acting through a Myf5-dependent mechanism.
Influence of alpha-ketoisocaproate on lamb growth, feed conversion, and carcass composition. (1991)

Four experiments were conducted to determine whether leucine's alpha-ketoacid, alpha-ketoisocaproate (KIC), would influence lamb growth, feed conversion, and carcass composition. In the first experiment, lambs were injected intraperitoneally with 3.5 g of Na-KIC per day. In the second experiment, KIC unprotected from rumen degradation was fed at a rate of 15 g per animal daily. In a third experiment, KIC, leucine, and isovalerate (IVA), protected from rumen degradation, were fed to growing lambs at a rate of 1 g per animal per day. Finally, a fourth experiment was conducted in which ruminally protected KIC was fed to growing lambs at a rate of 1 g per animal per day. Ketoisocaproate tended to increase ADG and decrease fat deposition in all four experiments. Ketoisocaproate increased ADG by 11 (P less than .09), 10 (P less than .05), 9, and 13% in 1 through 4, respectively, and feed efficiency improved 5, 9 (P less than .02), 5, and 5%, respectively. Fat thickness over the 12th rib decreased 28 (P less than .06), 11, 17 (P less than .04), and 5% in Exp. 1 through 4, and the perirenal fat depot also decreased 13, 5, 18, and 3%, respectively. In contrast, neither ruminally protected leucine nor IVA affected the growth of young lambs. Together these studies indicate that administration of KIC to growing lambs can increase weight gain and muscle growth while decreasing fat deposition.
Measuring emotions using eye tracking (2008)

Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists are recommended as the first-line treatment in patients with bilateral primary aldosteronism. In patients with unilateral aldosterone-producing adenoma, adrenalectomy should be preferred. However, existing data presents significant limitations and is rather inconclusive. Future randomized control trials are required in order to illustrate the field.
Enhancement of resist resolution and sensitivity via applied electric field (2000)

This article presents a methodology for enhancing the resist sensitivity and resolution based on confining the photoacid drift/diffusion by external electric field. An alternating electric field applied to the resist film during postexposure bake can enhance the photoacid drift in the vertical direction, reduce the bake time, and thereby confine the lateral acid diffusion. A mathematical model is presented and a rigorous solution is obtained in the case of Fickean diffusion and constant electric field. The experiments were conducted on UVIIHS resist with a JEOL electron-beam exposure tool. The scanning electron microscope pictures show that electric-field enhanced postexposure bake (PEB) can reduce the PEB time requirement by 30%, and at the same time, improve the sharpness of two-dimensional corners and increase the verticality of resist sidewalls. Electric-field-enhanced PEB also significantly improves the tolerance of overexposure and provides better critical dimension control. It is estimated that it reduces the lateral acid diffusion length by about 70 nm, or 50%.
Inhibition of parvovirus minute virus of mice replication by a peptide involved in the oligomerization of nonstructural protein NS1 (1997)

The large nonstructural protein NS1 of the minute virus of mice and other parvoviruses is involved in essential steps of the viral life cycle, such as DNA replication and transcriptional regulation, and is a major contributor to the toxic effect on host cells. Various biochemical functions, such as ATP binding, ATPase, site-specific DNA binding and nicking, and helicase activities, have been assigned to NS1. Homo-oligomerization is a prerequisite for a number of proteins to be fully functional. In particular, helicases generally act as homo-oligomers. Indirect evidence of NS1 self-association has been recently obtained by a nuclear cotransport assay (J. P. Nüesch and P. Tattersall, Virology 196:637-651, 1993). In order to demonstrate the oligomerizing property of NS1 in a direct way and localize the protein region(s) involved, the yeast two-hybrid system was used in combination with deletion mutagenesis across the whole NS1 molecule, followed by high-resolution mapping of the homo-oligomerization domain by a peptide enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. This study led to the identification of a distinct NS1 peptide that contains a bipartite domain involved in NS1 oligomerization. Furthermore, this isolated peptide was found to act as a specific competitive inhibitor and suppress NS1 helicase activity in vitro and parvovirus DNA replication in vivo, arguing for the involvement of NS1 oligomerization in these processes. Our results point to drug targeting of oligomerization motifs of viral regulatory proteins as a potentially useful antiviral strategy.
Noise Plus Interference Power Estimation in Adaptive OFDM Systems (2005)

Noise variance and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) are important parameters for adaptive orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) systems since they serve as a standard measure of signal quality. Conventional algorithms assume that the noise statistics remain constant over the OFDM frequency band, and thereby average the instantaneous noise samples to get a single estimate. In reality, noise is often made up of white Gaussian noise along with correlated colored noise that affects the OFDM spectrum unevenly. This paper proposes an adaptive windowing technique to estimate the noise power that takes into account the variation of the noise statistics across the OFDM sub-carrier index as well as across OFDM symbols. The proposed method provides many local estimates, allowing tracking of the variation of the noise statistics in frequency and time. A mean-squared-error (MSE) expression in order to choose the optimal window dimensions for averaging in time and frequency is derived. Evaluation of the performance with computer simulations show that the proposed method tracks the local statistics of the noise more efficiently than conventional methods.
Enhanced stability of MFA-MOPA semiconductor lasers using a nonlinear, trumpet-shaped flare (1997)

Monolithically integrated flared amplifier master oscillator power amplifier (MFA-MOPA) lasers are studied using a high-resolution computational model that resolves time as well as longitudinal and transverse space dependences and includes Lorentzian gain and dispersion dynamics. By altering the linear flare of the power amplifier into a nonlinear, trumpet-shaped flare to overlap the gain region to the expanding field, the instability threshold of the MOPA is increased by /spl sim/2 for single-longitudinal, single-transverse mode operation and /spl sim/3 for single-transverse mode operation. This enables the MOPA to maintain a stable, near-diffraction limited output beam for higher currents before the onset of transverse instabilities. Thus the trumpet-flared MOPA emits an output beam of significantly higher power and brightness. This increased stability is due to a large reduction in feedback from the output facet of the trumpet shaped MFA-MOPA.
Message Routing (1997)

A routing switch (1) includes an input (4a) for receiving serial packets from a source node in a computer network, a plurality of outputs (6a...6n), switch circuitry (10) for selectively interconnecting said input to a selected one of said outputs and header reading circuitry (22) for reading the header portion of a packet received at the input prior to receiving all of the packet. The switch also has a random header generator (28) which produces header portions generated at random which are then read by the header reading circuitry. The header reading circuitry is coupled to the switch circuitry (10) to connect to said input one of said outputs in dependence on said random header. The random header portion is then discarded at the routing switch identified thereby to reveal the original header. There is also provided a computer network, having a plurality of computer devices and at least one routing switch, and a method of routing messages through such a network.
A method for repairing amplitude defects in multilayer-coated EUV mask blanks (2003)

EUV mask blanks are fabricated by depositing a reflective Mo/Si multilayer film onto super-polished substrates. Localized defects in this thin film coating can significantly perturb the reflected field and produce errors in the printed image. Ideally one would want to manufacture defect-free mask blanks; however, this may be very difficult to achieve in practice. One practical way to increase the yield of mask blanks is to be able to repair a significant number of the defects in the multilayer coating. In this paper we present a method for repairing defects that are near the top surface of the coating; we call these amplitude defects because they predominantly attenuate the amplitude of the reflected field. Although the discussion is targeted to the application of manufacturing masks for EUV lithography, the conclusions and results are also applicable to understanding the optical effects of multilayer erosion, including ion-induced multilayer erosion and condenser erosion in EUVL steppers.
Validated simulation of the ultrasonic wire bonding process (2016)

Ultrasonic wire bonding is an indispensable process in the manufacturing of power semiconductor devices. These devices consist of one or more semiconductors in a common housing with integrated connectors. To interconnect individual components, wire bonds are used. Bonding machines form a joint between bond wire and components using ultrasonic vibration. In high power applications, such as electric vehicles, wind turbines and solar power systems, the thermal and mechanical limits of aluminum interconnects are nearing. The limits could be overcome using copper wire bonds, but their manufacturing poses challenges due to the harder material, which leads to increased wear of the bond tools and to less reliable production. Parameter values for which a stable process can be maintained can only be changed within a small range, making it necessary to compute suitable parameters beforehand. To this end, and to gain insights into the process itself and allow automated process parameter adaptation at runtime, the ultrasonic bonding process is modeled. The process model is composed of several partial models, which were introduced before. This paper focuses on the validation of a coupled point contact model which is used to calculate the friction and bond formation in a discretized bonding area. By doing this, new insights into the bonding process can be shown. For example, the growth of the welded area in the interface of wire and substrate during the bonding can be shown for different points in time. At the end, an experimental validation of the process model reveals a high model quality. This is one major step towards truly understanding the parameter influences on bond quality.
Production of Tuber-Inducing Factor (2006)

A process for making a substance that regulates the growth of potatoes and some other economically important plants has been developed. The process also yields an economically important by-product: potatoes. The particular growth-regulating substance, denoted tuber-inducing factor (TIF), is made naturally by, and acts naturally on, potato plants. The primary effects of TIF on potato plants are reducing the lengths of the main shoots, reducing the numbers of nodes on the main stems, reducing the total biomass, accelerating the initiation of potatoes, and increasing the edible fraction (potatoes) of the overall biomass. To some extent, these effects of TIF can override environmental effects that typically inhibit the formation of tubers. TIF can be used in the potato industry to reduce growth time and increase harvest efficiency. Other plants that have been observed to be affected by TIF include tomatoes, peppers, radishes, eggplants, marigolds, and morning glories. In the present process, potatoes are grown with their roots and stolons immersed in a nutrient solution in a recirculating hydroponic system. From time to time, a nutrient replenishment solution is added to the recirculating nutrient solution to maintain the required nutrient concentration, water is added to replace water lost from the recirculating solution through transpiration, and an acid or base is added, as needed, to maintain the recirculating solution at a desired pH level. The growing potato plants secrete TIF into the recirculating solution. The concentration of TIF in the solution gradually increases to a range in which the TIF regulates the growth of the plants.
Disruption of the SapM locus in <i>Mycobacterium bovis</i> BCG improves its protective efficacy as a vaccine against <i>M. tuberculosis</i> (2011)

Mycobacterium bovis bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) provides only limited protection against pulmonary tuberculosis. We tested the hypothesis that BCG might have retained immunomodulatory properties from its pathogenic parent that limit its protective immunogenicity. Mutation of the molecules involved in immunomodulation might then improve its vaccine potential. We studied the vaccine potential of BCG mutants deficient in the secreted acid phosphatase, SapM, or in the capping of the immunomodulatory ManLAM cell wall component with α-1,2-oligomannoside. Both systemic and intratracheal challenge of mice with Mycobacterium tuberculosis following vaccination showed that the SapM mutant, compared to the parental BCG vaccine, provided better protection: it led to longer-term survival. Persistence of the SapM-mutated BCG in vivo resembled that of the parental BCG indicating that this mutation will likely not compromise the safety of the BCG vaccine. The SapM mutant BCG vaccine was more effective than the parental vaccine in inducing recruitment and activation of CD11c(+) MHC-II(int) CD40(int) dendritic cells (DCs) to the draining lymph nodes. Thus, SapM acts by inhibiting recruitment of DCs and their activation at the site of vaccination.
ChemInform Abstract: Monofunctional and Higher‐Valent Platinum Anticancer Agents (2013)

Abstract Review: 203 refs.
The delay-Doppler radar altimeter: robust and improved measurement capabilities (2003)

A delay-Doppler radar altimeter exploits coherent signal processing in addition to incoherent waveform averaging to achieve significantly better measurement precision and instrument efficiency than are possible from a conventional incoherent instrument such as TOPEX or Jason-1. The required processing can be built into the on-board system, whose output waveforms yield geophysical parameters with the analysis algorithms already developed for conventional altimetric data. The approach enables new architectures, ranging from a single-frequency geodetic instrument (Abyss-Lite), to a three-satellite constellation of TOPEX-class altimeters (WITTEX) small enough to fit into one launch vehicle.