gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Performance and kinetic evaluation of phenol biodegradation by mixed microbial culture in a batch reactor (2010)

Mixed microbial culture collected from effluent treatment plant of a coke oven industry has been studied for its phenol biodegrading potential under aerobic condition in a batch reactor. The result showed that, after acclimatization, the culture could biodegrade up to 700 mg/l of phenol. The results showed that specific growth rate of microorganisms and specific substrate degradation rate increased up to 300 mg/l of initial phenol concentration and then started decreasing. The biodegradation kinetics is fitted to different substrate inhibition models by MATLAB 7.1©. Among all models, Haldane model was best fitted (Root Mean Square Error = 0.0067) for phenol degradation. The different biodegradation constants (Ks, Ki, Sm, mmax, YX/S, kd) estimated using these models showed good potential of the mixed microbial culture in phenol biodegradation.

	 

	Key words: Mixed culture, phenol biodegradation, kinetics, inhibition model.
The Role of Structural Elements of the 5'-Terminal Region of p53 mRNA in Translation under Stress Conditions Assayed by the Antisense Oligonucleotide Approach (2015)

The p53 protein is one of the major factors responsible for cell cycle regulation and stress response. In the 5'-terminal region of p53 mRNA, an IRES element has been found which takes part in the translational regulation of p53 expression. Two characteristic hairpin motifs are present in this mRNA region: G56-C169, with the first AUG codon, and U180-A218, which interacts with the Hdm2 protein (human homolog of mouse double minute 2 protein). 2'-OMe modified antisense oligomers hybridizing to the 5'-terminal region of p53 mRNA were applied to assess the role of these structural elements in translation initiation under conditions of cellular stress. Structural changes in the RNA target occurring upon oligomers' binding were monitored by the Pb2+-induced cleavage method. The impact of antisense oligomers on the synthesis of two proteins, the full-length p53 and its isoform Δ40p53, was analysed in HT-29, MCF-7 and HepG2 cells, under normal conditions and under stress, as well as in vitro conditions. The results revealed that the hairpin U180-A218 and adjacent single-stranded region A219-A228 were predominantly responsible for high efficacy of IRES-mediated translation in the presence of stress factors. These motifs play a role of cis-acting elements which are able to modulate IRES activity, likely via interactions with protein factors.
Testing opvar accuracy: an empirical back-testing on the loss distribution approach (2012)

The application of the Value at Risk (VaR) concept to the Loss Distribution Approach
(LDA) is encouraged by the Basel Committee for measuring the operational risk. Moreover,
complementary analysis such as the back testing exercise plays an important role in assessing
the excedancees beyond Operational Value at Risk (OpVaR) forecasts and providing with
valuable feedback on the soundness of such advanced measurement approach (AMA).
In this paper, we conduct an empirical back-testing analysis on the LDA by using an Internal
Operational Losses Database (IOLD) provided by a medium sized Spanish Savings Bank. We
apply different techniques for carrying out the back-testing exercise: the Basic Analysis and
Extremal Index, and more complex statistical methods such as Kupiec and Christoffersen�s
Tests. Our empirical results bring into light that the application of the LDA model for the Savings
bank analyzed would be rejected according to the regulatory framework.
Shape effect on the real parts of equivalent permeability of chevron thin films of silver (2011)

One symmetric and two asymmetric chevron thin films of silver were fabricated by bidepositing oppositely tilted nanorods sequentially via oblique angle deposition. The equivalent electromagnetic parameters of the films for s and p polarizations were retrieved at a wavelength of 639 nm for normal incidence using walk-off and polarization interferometers. Experimental results indicate that the symmetric chevron thin film has the strongest magnetic field reversal among the three different shapes. The coupling of the transverse magnetic field between two separate rods makes the equivalent permeability negative real.
Study of the Influence of Spheronization and Drying Conditions on the Physico-Mechanical Properties of Neutral Spheroids Containing Avicel PH 101 and Lactose (1993)

Beginning with binary Avicel-lactose (20/80) mixtures, the present study focuses on the influence of the spheronization speed and the drying process on the porousness, surface condition and the pressure resistance of neutral spheroids prepared by extrusion/ spheronization. Any increase in the spheronization speed provokes a decrease in the porousness and the average diameter of the pores, and gives a greater hardness and a smoother surface condition. In the final production phase, oven drying gives less porous and harder minigranules and a more homogenous surface than those dried by microwaves. In the experiment conditions, a negative correlation between porousness and hardness was established.
Nano-structured CuO-Cu2O Complex Thin Film for Application in CH3NH3PbI3 Perovskite Solar Cells (2016)

Nano-structured CuO-Cu2O complex thin film-based perovskite solar cells were fabricated on an indium tin oxide (ITO)-coated glass and studied. Copper (Cu) thin films with a purity of 99.995 % were deposited on an ITO-coated glass by magnetron reactive sputtering. To optimize the properties of the nano-structured CuO-Cu2O complex thin films, the deposited Cu thin films were thermally oxidized at various temperatures from 300 to 400 °C. A CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite absorber was fabricated on top of CuO-Cu2O complex thin film by a one-step spin-coating process with a toluene washing treatment. Following optimization, the maximum power conversion efficiency (PCE) exceeded 8.1 %. Therefore, the low-cost, solution-processed, stable nano-structured CuO-Cu2O complex thin film can be used as an alternative hole transport layer (HTL) in industrially produced perovskite solar cells.
Modeling of Deep Si Etching in Two-Frequency Capacitively Coupled Plasma in SF<sub>6</sub>/O<sub>2</sub> (2007)

We developed the simulation model of deep Si etching for MEMS fabrication. This model includes the physical effect of ions under the presence of plasma molding, chemical etching by radicals, and the formation of a passivation layer on the wafer. The simulation was carried out in SF6/O2 in two-frequency capacitively coupled plasma using an extended vertically integrated computer aided design for device processing (VicAddress). We estimated the local characteristics of plasma structures (such as potential distribution, ion velocity distribution) near an artificial microscale hole pattern on the wafer. In this case, the sheath thickness is comparable to or even smaller than the size of the hole. Thus, the sheath tends to wrap around the hole on the wafer. The distorted sheath field directly affects the incident flux and velocity distributions of ions. The angular distribution of ions at the edge of the hole is strongly distorted from the normal incidence. The ion flux becomes radially nonuniform in the vicinity of the hole pattern. That is, the etching profile is distorted particularly at the bottom corner because of the removal of the passivation layer by energetic ion under the presence of plasma molding.
NLRP3 deficiency protects from type 1 diabetes through the regulation of chemotaxis into the pancreatic islets (2015)

Studies in animal models and human subjects have shown that both innate and adaptive immunity contribute to the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes (T1D). Whereas the role of TLR signaling pathways in T1D has been extensively studied, the contribution of the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain, leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain-containing protein (NLRP) 3 inflammasome pathway remains to be explored. In this study, we report that NLRP3 plays an important role in the development of T1D in the nonobese diabetic (NOD) mouse model. NLRP3 deficiency not only affected T-cell activation and Th1 differentiation, but also modulated pathogenic T-cell migration to the pancreatic islet. The presence of NLRP3 is critical for the expression of the chemokine receptors CCR5 and CXCR3 on T cells. More importantly, NLRP3 ablation reduced the expression of chemokine genes CCL5 and CXCL10 on pancreatic islet cells in an IRF-1-dependent manner. Our results suggest that molecules involved in chemotaxis, accompanied by the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, may be effective targets for the treatment of T1D.
Electro-optic characteristics of the fringe in-plane switching liquid crystal device for a liquid crystal with negative dielectric anisotropy (2012)

Fringe-field switching (FFS) liquid crystal (LC) mode is mainly used for high-end LC displays. At present, an LC with positive dielectric anisotropy is utilised, although light efficiency of the device in a white state is not maximised due to generation of tilt angle near the edge of electrodes along the field direction. In order to overcome the demerit, an LC with negative dielectric anisotropy has been challenged. In this article, FFS mode, which shows a high light efficiency and a low operating voltage, is investigated with the utilisation of fringe in-plane electric field. The optimised device shows improved electro-optic characteristics in comparison with not only conventional LC modes, but also previously proposed FFS device using a positive type of LC.
A critical review on wavelet based feature extraction for Iris Recognition (2017)

Iris Recognition, an evolving biometric identification technique which provides individual authentication based on unique feature or characteristic possessed by the individual. This paper provides general framework and related work in the iris recognition. Iris recognition improves the efficiency of biometric identification. This paper provides a critical review on different wavelet based feature extraction techniques proposed up till now along with efficiency comparison of each technique.
Path planning of robot in three-dimensional grid environment based on genetic algorithms (2008)

Considering the mobile robot faces complex environments, this paper proposes a path planning method in three-dimensional grid environment. Combined with plane path planning method, according to design target the robot can surpass or climb up to some obstacles and surpass higher obstacles which cannot be leaped over directly and could move downwards in turn. The height and position of the obstacles are known in advance and the path is optimized through genetic algorithm (GA), meanwhile an improved GA is proposed. Path planning in three-dimensional grid environment is a breakthrough from plane environment. Experimental results show the effectiveness and feasibility of the improved GA in three-dimensional path planning for mobile robot.
Improvement of the MR imaging behavior of vascular implants (2006)

Vascular implants can cause significant MR image artifacts due to the material (susceptibility artifact) or the electromagnetic characteristics (RF artifact). These artifacts are caused by the distortion of the magnetic field and interferences with the radio frequency (RF) waves of the MR imaging process. Void or complete vanishing of signals occurs in close proximity or inside implants. The artifacts can be minimized by using a material with low magnetic susceptibility and a design of the implant which avoids electrical conductive loops. But not all designs can be made loop-free and non conductive. A resonant circuit tuned to the Larmor frequency of the MR tomography overcomes the RF artifact and thus improves the visualization of the implant lumen. The paper reviews the state-of-the-art technology of the MR-signal improvement in implants lumen, with particular regard to the use of resonant circuits such as stents or Vena Cava Filter (VCF), with resonators in 1.0 Tesla and 1.5Tesla MRT.
MIMO Layer Shifting for LTE-Advanced Uplink (2010)

In this paper, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) layer shifting with cubic metric (CM) preserving precoder and downlink control signal sharing is proposed as a uplink transmission scheme for 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE). The design criteria for CM preserving precoder are presented and uplink precoder is designed accordingly. By sharing MCS (modulation and coding scheme) and/or HARQ (hybrid automatic repeat request) among codewords, downlink control signal sharing reduces the control signal overhead at the expense of performance degradation, which motivates this paper. The proposed MIMO layer shifting on a per SC-FDMA (single-carrier frequency division multiple access) symbol basis eliminates the discrepancy of channel quality among codewords, and thus improves the performance in the presence of MCS and/or HARQ sharing. Simulation results show that layer shifting is beneficial to both minimum mean square error (MMSE) and successive interference cancellation (SIC) receivers.
Exploring Alternative Approaches to Implement an Elasticity Policy (2011)

An elasticity policy governs how and when resources (e.g., application server instances at the PaaS layer) are added to and/or removed from a cloud environment. The elasticity policy can be implemented as a conventional control loop or as a set of heuristic rules. In the control-theoretic approach, complex constructs such as tracking filters, estimators, regulators, and controllers are utilized. In the heuristic, rule-based approach, various alerts(e.g., events) are defined on instance metrics (e.g., CPU utilization), which are then aggregated at a global scale in order to make provisioning decisions for a given application tier. This work provides an overview of our experiences designing and working with both approaches to construct an auto scaler for simple applications. We enumerate different criteria such as design complexity, ease of comprehension, and maintenance upon which we form an informal comparison between the different methods. We conclude with a brief discussion of how these approaches can be used in the governance of resources to better meet a high-level goal over time.
Enantioselective Syntheses of 2-Alkyl- and 2,6-Dialkylpiperidine Alkaloids:  Preparations of the Hydrochlorides of (−)-Coniine, (−)-Solenopsin A, and (−)-Dihydropinidine (1999)

[reaction: see text] Sequences of lithiation-substitution, enantioselective hydrogenation, and diastereoselective lithiation-substitution provide efficient highly enantioselective syntheses of 2-substituted and cis and trans 2,6-disubstituted piperidines. The methodology is demonstrated by syntheses of (-)-coniine, (-)-solenopsin A, and (-)-dihydropinidine as their hydrochlorides.
Chemical looping reforming: process fundamentals and oxygen carriers (2022)

Abstract Chemical looping reforming (CLR) provides a viable process intensification approach for clean and efficient syngas production from carbonaceous fuel with inherent gas–gas separation. The rational design of metal oxide-based oxygen carriers and the scale-up of associated CLR reactor systems play important roles in CLR process development. This review first introduces the concept and advantages of CLR as well as its historical development. The process fundamentals, including basic schemes, reaction stoichiometry, thermodynamics, kinetics and reactor system design, are reviewed. The integral approach for CLR process development is illustrated, showing that the design and compatibility of oxygen carriers and reactor systems are critical for CLR performance. The reaction principle during the reduction of oxygen carriers is discussed, followed by strategies for improving the redox reactivity and stability. We further review and discuss the latest exciting advances on this subject with the purpose of illustrating factors that govern fundamental mechanisms in the redox reaction chemistry of oxygen carriers and their design principles for sustained chemical looping reactor applications. It is expected that these new advances will inspire more effective oxygen carriers and efficient reactor systems for the development and deployment of various CLR processes.
Estradiol With or Without Progesterone and Ambulatory Blood Pressure in Postmenopausal Women (1999)

The purpose of this study was to determine whether transdermal estradiol and intravaginal progesterone given in doses to mimic the premenopausal state would lower blood pressure (BP) in postmenopausal women. Fifteen healthy postmenopausal women were studied in each of 3 conditions: on placebo, after 8 weeks of transdermal estradiol 0.2 mg twice per week, and again 2 weeks after addition of intravaginal progesterone 300 mg/d. Women were studied at each point after 2 days of 100 mmol/d sodium intake. Twenty-four-hour ambulatory BP monitoring was performed, and blood was assayed for estradiol, progesterone, and hormones of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). ANOVA with pairwise comparisons was used for analysis. Urinary sodium excretion was similar at each time point. Levels of estrogen and progesterone similar to those in premenopausal women were achieved. On estradiol, nocturnal systolic BP (110+/-3 mm Hg), diastolic BP (63+/-2 mm Hg), and mean BP (77+/-2 mm Hg) fell significantly (P<0.02) compared with placebo systolic BP (116+/-2 mm Hg), diastolic BP (68+/-2 mm Hg), and mean BP (82+/-2 mm Hg). Daytime BP followed the same trend but was significantly lower only for mean BP. There was no activation of the RAAS. The addition of progesterone resulted in no further fall in BP but a significant activation of the RAAS. Thus, contrary to what is often assumed, administration of estradiol with or without progesterone not only did not raise BP but rather substantially lowered BP. This BP-lowering effect may be responsible for the lower incidence of hypertension in premenopausal than in postmenopausal women.
<i>In vivo</i> effects of anti-asialo GM1. I. Reduction of NK activity and enhancement of transplanted tumor growth in nude mice. (1981)

Intravenous injection of anti-asialo GM1, which has been shown to eliminate natural killer (NK) activity in vitro in the presence of complement, completely abolished NK activity against lymphoma cell line (YAC-1) in spleen cells from athymic nude mice as well as from conventional mice. An immunofluorescence study revealed a decreased number of asialo GM1 positive cells in the spleens of mice injected with anti-asialo GM1 than in those of mice injected with normal rabbit serum. In the nude mice with reduced NK activity, incidence of tumor take and the growth were enhanced when syngeneic (RL male-1), and allogeneic (YAC-1) tumors and human tumors were transplanted subcutaneously. These results strongly suggest that NK cells play an important role in transplanted-tumor growth in vivo.
The CaMK4/CREB/IRS-2 Cascade Stimulates Proliferation and Inhibits Apoptosis of β-Cells (2012)

Progressive reduction in β-cell mass is responsible for the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus, and alteration in insulin receptor substrate 2 (IRS-2) abundance plays a critical role in this process. IRS-2 expression is stimulated by the transcription factor cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) and we recently demonstrated that Ca(2+)/calmodulin dependent kinase 4 (CaMK4) is upstream of CREB activation in β-cells. This study investigated whether CaMK4 is also a potential target to increase β-cell mass through CREB-mediated IRS-2 expression, by quantifying mouse MIN6 β-cell proliferation and apoptosis following IRS-2 knockdown, CaMKs inhibition and alterations in CaMK4 and CREB expression. Expression of constitutively active CaMK4 (ΔCaMK4) and CREB (CREB(DIEDLM)) significantly stimulated β-cell proliferation and survival. In contrast, expression of their corresponding dominant negative forms (Δ(K75E)CaMK4 and CREB(M1)) and silencing of IRS-2 increased apoptosis and reduced β-cell division. Moreover, CREB(DIEDLM) and CREB(M1) expression completely abolished the effects of Δ(K75E)CaMK4 and of ΔCaMK4, respectively. Our results indicate that CaMK4 regulates β-cell proliferation and apoptosis in a CREB-dependent manner and that CaMK4-induced IRS-2 expression is important in these processes.
Inhibition of glutathione synthesis reverses Bcl-2-mediated cisplatin resistance. (2003)

Cisplatin is a potent cytotoxic agent that functions as a bivalent electrophile, forming both interstrand and intrastrand DNA cross-links. Cisplatin-mediated DNA damage results in cell cycle arrest and initiation of apoptotic cell death. Increased cellular glutathione concentrations have been closely correlated with cisplatin resistance but do not reduce the extent of cisplatin-DNA adduct formation. One hypothesis to explain the ability of glutathione to inhibit cisplatin cytotoxicity is that glutathione, through its antioxidant function, plays a role in apoptotic regulatory pathways. We tested this hypothesis using MCF-7 breast cancer cells transfected with the apoptotic inhibitor Bcl-2. Bcl-2 overexpression in MCF-7 cells was associated with a nearly 3-fold increase in cellular glutathione levels and with increased resistance to cell death after cisplatin exposure. Treatment of MCF-7 lines with buthionine sulfoximine, an inhibitor of glutathione synthesis, normalized glutathione levels in Bcl-2 and control transfectants and completely abrogated Bcl-2-mediated cisplatin resistance without affecting Bcl-2 expression. Bcl-2 overexpression and up-regulation of glutathione were not associated with a change in either cisplatin-DNA adduct formation or repair over time. These results suggest that Bcl-2-mediated cisplatin resistance in MCF-7 cells is dependent on up-regulation of glutathione production, which contributes to cell survival by mechanisms independent of cisplatin inactivation or inhibition of DNA adduct formation. A similar dependence on glutathione for Bcl-2-mediated inhibition of cisplatin toxicity was confirmed in a second cell line, the lymphocytic precursor FL5.12. Taken together, these data suggest that apoptotic signaling after genotoxic exposure can be inhibited by the antioxidant activity of glutathione. Inhibition of glutathione synthesis or modulation of glutathione stores in tumors that overexpress Bcl-2 may comprise a novel anticancer strategy.
The Efficacy of an Immunoisolating Membrane System for Islet Xenotransplantation in Minipigs (2013)

Developing a device that protects xenogeneic islets to allow treatment and potentially cure of diabetes in large mammals has been a major challenge in the past decade. Using xenogeneic islets for transplantation is required in light of donor shortage and the large number of diabetic patients that qualify for islet transplantation. Until now, however, host immunoreactivity against the xenogeneic graft has been a major drawback for the use of porcine islets. Our study demonstrates the applicability of a novel immunoprotective membrane that allows successful xenotransplantation of rat islets in diabetic minipigs without immunosuppressive therapy. Rat pancreatic islets were encapsulated in highly purified alginate and integrated into a plastic macrochamber covered by a poly-membrane for subcutaneous transplantation. Diabetic Sinclair pigs were transplanted and followed for up to 90 days. We demonstrated a persistent graft function and restoration of normoglycemia without the need for immunosuppressive therapy. This concept could potentially offer an attractive strategy for a more widespread islet replacement therapy that would restore endogenous insulin secretion in diabetic patients without the need for immunosuppressive drugs and may even open up an avenue for safe utilization of xenogeneic islet donors.