gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Clonality of mouse and human cardiomyogenesis in vivo (2009)

An analysis of the clonality of cardiac progenitor cells (CPCs) and myocyte turnover in vivo requires genetic tagging of the undifferentiated cells so that the clonal marker of individual mother cells is traced in the specialized progeny. CPC niches in the atria and apex of the mouse heart were infected with a lentivirus carrying EGFP, and the destiny of the tagged cells was determined 1-5 months later. A common integration site was identified in isolated CPCs, cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells (ECs), and fibroblasts, documenting CPC self-renewal and multipotentiality and the clonal origin of the differentiated cell populations. Subsequently, the degree of EGFP-lentiviral infection of CPCs was evaluated 2-4 days after injection, and the number of myocytes expressing the reporter gene was measured 6 months later. A BrdU pulse-chasing protocol was also introduced as an additional assay for the analysis of myocyte turnover. Over a period of 6 months, each EGFP-positive CPC divided approximately eight times generating 230 cardiomyocytes; this value was consistent with the number of newly formed cells labeled by BrdU. To determine whether, human CPCs (hCPCs) are self-renewing and multipotent, these cells were transduced with the EGFP-lentivirus and injected after acute myocardial infarction in immunosuppressed rats. hCPCs, myocytes, ECs, and fibroblasts collected from the regenerated myocardium showed common viral integration sites in the human genome. Thus, our results indicate that the adult heart contains a pool of resident stem cells that regulate cardiac homeostasis and repair.
Mouse bone marrow-derived mast cells cocultured with fibroblasts. Morphology and stimulation-induced release of histamine, leukotriene B4, leukotriene C4, and prostaglandin D2. (1987)

Mouse bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMC), cultured for 2, 7, or 14 days in WEHI-3 conditioned medium in the absence or presence of mouse 3T3 fibroblasts, were examined morphologically and for their functional responses to IgE-Fc-mediated and calcium ionophore-mediated activation. The 7- and 14-day fibroblast-adherent and non-fibroblast-adherent populations of cocultured BMMC had more granules per cell and the granule contents were more electron dense than non-cocultured BMMC or BMMC cocultured for only 2 days. The adherent cocultured BMMC were usually located within multiple layers of fibroblasts, but did not form junctions with the fibroblasts. When activated immunologically, the adherent cocultured mast cells generally discharged their granules singly, but compound exocytosis was occasionally seen. Both the non-adherent cocultured BMMC and the BMMC that were cultured in the absence of fibroblasts were similar to one another in that they exocytosed 9 to 11% of their histamine when sensitized with anti-dinitrophenyl IgE and challenged with dinitrophenyl-bovine serum albumin and 27 to 29% of their histamine when challenged with calcium ionophore. In contrast, adherent cocultured BMMC exocytosed 27 and 61% of their histamine upon immunologic and calcium ionophore activation, respectively, representing a significant two- to three-fold increase relative to that obtained from the other populations of BMMC. When activated immunologically, BMMC cultured in WEHI-3 conditioned medium alone generated a mean of 12 ng of immunoreactive C-6-sulfidopeptide leukotrienes, 1.6 ng of leukotriene B4 (LTB4), and 1.0 ng of prostaglandin D2 (PGD2)/10(6) cells. The immunologic response of the nonadherent 7-day cocultured BMMC was similar. Fibroblast-adherent cocultured BMMC, on the other hand, generated 56 ng of immunoreactive C-6-sulfidopeptide leukotrienes, 6.4 ng of LTB4, and 5.6 ng of PGD2/10(6) mast cells, representing a significant increase for each product. When calcium ionophore was used as the agonist, the adherent cocultured mast cells also generated significantly more arachidonic acid metabolites than nonadherent cocultured BMMC or BMMC cultured in the absence of fibroblasts. Retention times on high performance liquid chromatography confirmed that the generated immunoreactive products were LTB4, PGD2, and LTC4. Thus, coculture of BMMC with fibroblasts induces an alteration in the composition of the secretory granules of the mast cells, as well as an augmentation of the activation-secretion response of the BMMC.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
A Novel Experimental Strategy for the Production of Thoracolumbar Burst Fractures Coupled with a Biomechanical Analysis by using Non‐invasive Optical Methods (2013)

ABSTRACT This work presents a novel methodology to generate in vitro burst fracture of spinal segments in conditions closest to trauma. Validation of this new experimental method of burst fracture production is aligned with an original experimental biomechanical analysis method. To pre‐select the vertebral level of the burst fracture generation, a slight vertebral body embrittlement is envisaged. Experimental tests were performed on two groups of ovine spinal segments. An Izod impact machine was used to generate burst fracture. In one group of spinal segments, the central vertebra of each specimen was embrittled by holes of 0.8 mm diameter before impact. Both groups of spinal segments (with embrittlement and without embrittlement) were impacted and fractured. X‐ray tomography was used to confirm burst fracture morphological characterization for both groups. Furthermore, to follow the mechanical response of each group, strain values were determined during impact by using non‐invasive optical methods, and the compression consequences were recorded using a high‐speed digital camera in real time. All fractured specimens were found to have the expected burst fracture configuration. Strain measurements allowed us to study the mechanical behaviour of spinal disks and determine the strain value (at least 5%) required to cause a burst fracture.
High quality Al(Ga)As/GaAs/Al(Ga)As quantum wells grown on (111)A GaAs substrates (1996)

We report the growth of high quality molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) AlGaAs, AlGaAs/GaAs/AlGaAs, and AlAs/GaAs/AlAs multiple quantum wells (MQWs) on (111)A GaAs substrates. For (111)A AlGaAs/GaAs/AlGaAs MQWs, there is no detectable photoluminescence (PL) at a growth temperature of 640 °C, and narrow PL linewidth can only be obtained at growth temperatures higher than 680 °C. A PL linewidth of 13.8 meV is measured at the growth temperature of 720 °C. To understand such growth temperature dependence of (111)A MQWs, we have investigated the material quality of (111)A AlGaAs at different growth temperatures. The strong PL integrated intensity of 640 °C grown (111)A AlGaAs indicates good material quality and a low concentration of non-radiative recombination centers. However, the broad PL linewidth of 640 °C grown (111)A AlGaAs indicates the strong compositional modulation and a rough growth front. We have used AlAs instead of AlGaAs in order to reduce the compositional modulation and smooth the interface. A PL linewidth of 13.4 meV is measured for 640 °C grown (111)A AlAs/GaAs/AlAs MQWs, which is the narrowest value for (111)A MQWs.
Development issues for speech-enabled mobile applications. (2007)

Developing a speech-based application for mobile devices requires work upfront, since mobile devices and speech recognition systems vary dramatically in their capabilities. While mobile devices can concisely be classified by their processing power, memory, operating system and wireless network speed it is a bit trickier for speech recognition engines. This paper presents a comprehensive approach that comprises a profound classification of speech recognition systems for mobile applications and a framework for mobile and distributed speech recognition. The framework called Gulliver speeds up the development process with multi-modal components that can be easily used in a GUI designer and with abstraction layers that support the integration of various speech recognition engines depending on the user’s needs. The framework itself provides the base for a model-driven development approach.
Biosynthesis of makisterone A and 20‐hydroxyecdysone from labeled sterols by the honey bee, <i>Apis mellifera</i> (1986)

Abstract In an effort to determine the sterol precursor(s) of the 28‐carbon ecdysteroid, makisterone A, honey bee pupae (13 days post‐oviposition) were injected with radiolabeled sterols and subsequently examined for labeled ecdysteroids. High performance liquid chromatography of the pupal extracts revealed that [ 3 H]campesterol was converted to a compound that behaved chromatographically identical to authentic makisterone A, and [ 14 C]cholesterol was incorporated into a compound chromatographically like 20‐hydroxyecdysone. No incorporation of either 24‐[ 3 H]methylenecholesterol or [ 14 C]sitosterol into an ecdysteroid was observed. The neutral sterols of uninjected honey bee pupae contained 49.8% 24‐methylenecholesterol on a relative percent basis and, with three other C 28 and C 29 sterols, accounted for over 99% of the total sterols present.
IGF-IR signaling attenuates the age-related decline of diastolic cardiac function (2012)

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) signaling has been implicated to play an important role in regulation of cardiac growth, hypertrophy, and contractile function and has been linked to the development of age-related congestive heart failure. Here, we address the question to what extent cardiomyocyte-specific IGF-I signaling is essential for maintenance of the structural and functional integrity of the adult murine heart. To investigate the effects of IGF-I signaling in the adult heart without confounding effects due to IGF-I overexpression or adaptation during embryonic and early postnatal development, we inactivated the IGF-I receptor (IGF-IR) by a 4-hydroxytamoxifen-inducible Cre recombinase in adult cardiac myocytes. Efficient inactivation of the IGF-IR (iCMIGF-IRKO) as assessed by Western analysis and real-time PCR went along with reduced IGF-I-dependent Akt and GSK3β phosphorylation. Functional analysis by conductance manometry and MRI revealed no functional alterations in young adult iCMIGF-IRKO mice (age 3 mo). However, when induced in aging mice (11 mo) diastolic cardiac function was depressed. To address the question whether insulin signaling might compensate for the defective IGF-IR signaling, we inactivated β-cells by streptozotocin. However, the diabetes-associated functional depression was similar in control and iCMIGF-IRKO mice. Similarly, analysis of the cardiac gene expression profile on 44K microarrays did not reveal activation of overt adaptive processes. Endogenous IGF-IR signaling is required for conservation of cardiac function of the aging heart, but not for the integrity of cardiac structure and function of young hearts.
Cause-of-Death Analysis in Rodent Aging Studies (2015)

In research studies using rats or mice, the cause of death is often not evaluated or reported. An analysis of the causes of death is particularly valuable for aging and carcinogenesis studies. Comparing causes of death among the study groups is often an important adjunct to the biochemical, molecular, clinical, and histopathologic findings. The methods for evaluating causes of death, contributing causes of death, and comorbidities have been suggested in several publications. Surprisingly, in important mouse aging studies, causes of death are often not reported. Cause-of-death assignment in preclinical rodent model aging research suffers from a lack of a standardized approach and an understanding of the value that it can add to longevity and interventional studies. While assigning single cause of death may facilitate data analysis, defining and publishing data on contributing causes (comorbidities) provides more information on associated underlying chronic conditions and health span in mouse models. This article reviews factors that affect determination of cause of death and the methods for evaluating causes of death and comorbidities. The proposed systematic pathology analysis includes assigning cause of death and comorbidities to define total disease burden. The combination of pathology with in vivo data will fully characterize the effect of tested interventions on multiple chronic diseases and health span of aging mice with improved translation to human aging and age-associated lesions.
A Comparison of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid Metabolism in Cultured Soybean Cells and in Embryogenic Carrot Cells (1981)

The removal or reduction in concentration of auxin is often a successful method for obtaining morphogenesis in cell cultures of higher plants, such as carrot, but not for soybean. For this reason, the metabolism of one auxin, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), was compared in both carrot and soybean cells. Whereas soybean cells conjugated a high percentage of their 2,4-D to amino acids, carrot cells contained primarily free 2,4-D. Moreover, after long-term exposure to 2,4-D, carrot cells released much more 2,4-D upon transfer to 2,4-D-free (embryogenic) medium than did soybean cells. It appears that the retention of 2,4-D by soybean cells might interfere with subsequent morphogenesis. Because no impairment of 2,4-D efflux was found with short-term exposure to radiolabeled 2,4-D, it was concluded that 2,4-D retention in soybean cells might be due to a time-dependent, metabolic process. The conjugation of 2,4-D to amino acids was shown to be one such time-dependent process. Additionally, the release of 2,4-D from the cells was shown to be due primarily to a loss of free 2,4-D and not 2,4-D-amino acid conjugates. It seems that the greater retention of 2,4-D by soybean cells upon transfer to 2,4-D-free medium is due to greater formation of 2,4-D-amino acid conjugates.
C-MAC videolaryngoscope compared with direct laryngoscopy for rapid sequence intubation in an emergency department (2016)

Clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT02297113.
Low noise silicon micromechanical bulk acoustic wave oscillator (2006)

A 180-nm gap micromechanical resonator biased at 20 V and full custom integrated electronics are used to implement a 13-MHz oscillator that has noise floor of -147 dBc/Hz and power consumption of 240 µW including both the loop amplifier and the buffer to a 10-pF load. The design of Pierce type MEMS oscillator is discussed in terms of noise, power, and oscillator stability. Mixing of 1/f-noise is simulated and nonlinear electrostatic coupling is identified as a significant noise aliasing mechanism.
Timing of infant feeding in relation to childhood asthma and allergic diseases (2013)

Background Emerging evidence questions current recommendations on the timing of infant feeding for the prevention of childhood allergies. The evidence for asthma is inconclusive. Objective We sought to investigate the associations between the duration of breast-feeding and timing of introduction of complementary foods and the development of asthma and allergies by the age of 5 years. Methods Data were analyzed for 3781 consecutively born children. The dietary exposures were categorized into thirds and analyzed as time-dependent variables. Asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic eczema end points were assessed by using the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire, whereas IgE antibodies were analyzed from serum samples at the age of 5 years. Cox proportional hazard and logistic regressions were used for the analyses. Results The median duration of exclusive and total breast-feeding was 1.4 months (interquartile range, 0.2-3.5 months) and 7.0 months (interquartile range, 4.0-11.0 months), respectively. Total breast-feeding of 9.5 months or less was associated with an increased risk of nonatopic asthma. Introduction of wheat, rye, oats, or barley at 5 to 5.5 months was inversely associated with asthma and allergic rhinitis, whereas introduction of other cereals at less than 4.5 months increased the risk of atopic eczema. Introduction of egg at 11 months or less was inversely associated with asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic sensitization, whereas introduction of fish at 9 months or less was inversely associated with allergic rhinitis and atopic sensitization. Conclusion Early introduction of wheat, rye, oats, and barley cereals; fish; and egg (respective to the timing of introduction of each food) seems to decrease the risk of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic sensitization in childhood. Longer duration of total breast-feeding, rather than its exclusivity, was protective against the development of nonatopic but not atopic asthma, suggesting a potential differing effect of breast-feeding on different asthma phenotypes.
Measurement of gain-length product and output energy in a capillary discharge soft X-ray laser (2003)

Summary form only given, as follows. In 1994, J.J. Rocca et al. reported that a capillary discharge could produce a laser amplification at 3p-3s level of Ne-like Ar line (J = 0-1, /spl lambda/ = 46.9 nm). This has led to a successful construction of a tabletop soft X-ray laser, which is capable to generate saturated laser energy of 1 mJ at 4 Hz, with a discharge current of 26 kA. In our laboratory, research has also been performed on capillary discharge to achieve the Ne-like Ar soft X-ray gas lasing. A ceramic capillary, which has an inner diameter of 3 mm and a length of 150 mm, has been used for soft X-ray laser amplification. Spike output signal which has a characteristics of directivity, has been observed, when operating the device with a predischarge current of 5 to 15 A, a current of 9 kA to 35 kA with a half period of 110 ns in an argon gas pressure range from 100 mTorr to 800 mTorr. Gain-length product gl = 12 (g = 0.8 cm/sup -1/) was obtained with a current amplitude of 30 kA at the optimum pressure of 400 mTorr. But, we have not yet observed the beginning of gain saturation. Compared with the result of J.J. Rocca et al., the spike output observed in our experiment is quite possibly attribute to the Ne-like Ar ion soft X-ray lasing at the same wave length of 46.9 nm. However, spectroscopic measurement is needed to be conducted to confirm this. For the current of 9 kA with optimum pressure of 150 mTorr, estimated output energy is 300 nJ. And for the current of 30 kA and the optimum pressure of 400 mTorr, the estimated output energy of laser reaches 5-6 /spl mu/J. The output energy is significantly low because the lasing in our case does not reach the saturation level. Therefore, measurement of gain-length and output energy with longer capillary is needed to reveal the saturation of soft X-ray amplification and more output energy.
Hardware for visual image processing (1975)

Emphasis in this survey of hardware for visual image processing is on centers which specialize in "computer vision" research, although some of the findings are generally applicable to all areas of image processing. Tradeoffs between parameters of speed, dynamic range, and resolution are discussed as they apply to industrial and research applications. A discussion of various types of imaging devices and analog-to-digital converters follows. Next, problems which occur in various devices are discussed and some methods of compensation are suggested. Then, the three most popular methods of computer entry of image data are compared. The paper concludes with a brief description of visual image processing research in progress at nine laboratories, with emphasis on the hardware used by those laboratories as it relates to the problems being worked on.
On the accuracy of the ground force estimated in vibroseis acquisition (2009)

ABSTRACT For a linear elastic Earth the time derivative of the ground force is considered proportional to the far‐field wavelet. Under the assumption that the baseplate is stiff and the bending forces of the baseplate are negligible, the ground force is also approximated by the sum of the accelerations of the baseplate and the reaction mass weighted by the respective masses. Combining these two assumptions, the time derivative of the weighted sum is considered proportional to the far‐field wavelet. This result, often referred to as the far‐field wavelet assumption, although convenient and most often employed is not always valid. We explore its validity using the spectral harmonic ratios of recorded data, which are used extensively in data filtering and analysis of vibratory data. We show that the far‐field wavelet assumption fails particularly for harmonic components of even order. More compact soil after repeated shots further invalidates this assumption. Non‐linear modelling of the ground under the vibrator point may provide a direction towards solving this discrepancy. Finally, we describe a method for the estimation of the harmonic spectral ratios.
Conceptual study of a Bipolar modular high voltage Pulse generator with sequential charging (2016)

Repetitive Pulsed Electric Field (PEF) is a common technique for disinfecting liquids. By applying adequate PEF across germ cell membranes, an irreversible electroporation process, and cell destruction can be achieved. The PEF can be generated by applying a repetitive pulsed voltage using a high-voltage pulse generator across the cell membrane. Unipolar and bipolar high-voltage pulse generators are commonly used. Bipolar pulse generators can be implemented by employing a unipolar generator with an H-bridge output stage. The main disadvantage of this method is that the switches of the H-bridge are rated at the output high-voltage level, i.e. series-stacked semiconductor devices should be employed with static and dynamic voltage sharing to implement high-voltage switches. In this paper, a half-bridge submodule-based bipolar modular high-voltage pulse-generator fed from a relatively low-voltage dc supply is proposed. In the proposed approach, relatively low-voltage Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors (IGBTs) are required to generate the high-voltage bipolar pulses. A detailed illustration of the proposed concept is presented. Simulation results are used to assure the viability of the proposed concept. Finally, experimental results have been obtained from a low-voltage model of the proposed generator.
A Putative Stimulatory Role of Progesterone Acting via Progesterone Receptors in the Steroidogenic Cells of the Human Corpus Luteum1 (2000)

To further explore the proposed auto-regulatory role of progesterone action in the human corpus luteum (CL), the expression and functional roles of progesterone receptor (PR) isoforms A and B during the luteal phase (LP) of the menstrual cycle were investigated. A total of 27 otherwise healthy patients previously scheduled for surgery were recruited after informed consent. An LH rise was detected, and CL were grouped according to age (Days 2-5 post-LH-rise, early LP; Days 6-10, mid LP; Days 11-14, late LP). Using a semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay, the PR-B mRNA levels, which were 100- to 1000-fold lower than PR-A/B mRNA, were 46% lower (P < 0.05, n = 24) in mid LP, compared to early and late LP. CL tissue levels of progesterone and PR-A/B protein levels were inversely correlated to increasing CL age; i.e., significantly reduced levels were observed in the late LP (r(2) = 0.34, P < 0.01, n = 23). Expression of PR-A/B mRNA as well as PR-A/B protein were detected by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Both methods revealed a clear and distinct localization to cells in the steroidogenic layer of the CL. Freshly obtained mid-luteal CL cells were cultured in vitro, and media were analyzed for progesterone concentrations after treatment by incremental doses of hCG and the stable PR antagonist mifepristone, alone or in combination. Mifepristone did not per se alter progesterone synthesis, but when it was added in conjunction with hCG, a dose-related inhibitory response was seen, with a maximal 47% reduction in progesterone output at a 10 microM addition (P < 0.05, n = 3). Collectively, these data implicate a stimulatory role of progesterone receptor-mediated action in the steroidogenic cells of the human CL, which may serve as an important pathway for maintaining functional homeostasis during early pregnancy.