gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Sperm membrane proteins DCST1 and DCST2 are required for sperm-egg interaction in mice and fish (2022)

The process of sperm-egg fusion is critical for successful fertilization, yet the underlying mechanisms that regulate these steps have remained unclear in vertebrates. Here, we show that both mouse and zebrafish DCST1 and DCST2 are necessary in sperm to fertilize the egg, similar to their orthologs SPE-42 and SPE-49 in C. elegans and Sneaky in D. melanogaster. Mouse Dcst1 and Dcst2 single knockout (KO) sperm are able to undergo the acrosome reaction and show normal relocalization of IZUMO1, an essential factor for sperm-egg fusion, to the equatorial segment. While both single KO sperm can bind to the oolemma, they show the fusion defect, resulting that Dcst1 KO males become almost sterile and Dcst2 KO males become sterile. Similar to mice, zebrafish dcst1 KO males are subfertile and dcst2 and dcst1/2 double KO males are sterile. Zebrafish dcst1/2 KO sperm are motile and can approach the egg, but are defective in binding to the oolemma. Furthermore, we find that DCST1 and DCST2 interact with each other and are interdependent. These data demonstrate that DCST1/2 are essential for male fertility in two vertebrate species, highlighting their crucial role as conserved factors in fertilization.
Invariants of deformations of quotient surface singularities (2018)

We find all $P$-resolutions of quotient surface singularities (especially, tetrahedral, octahedral, and icosahedral singularities) together with their dual graphs, which reproduces Jan Steven's list [Manuscripta Math. 1993] of the numbers of $P$-resolutions of each singularities. We then compute the dimensions and Milnor numbers of the corresponding irreducible components of the reduced base spaces of versal deformations of each singularities. Furthermore we realize Milnor fibers as complements of certain divisors (depending only on the singularities) in rational surfaces via the minimal model program for 3-folds. Then we compare Milnor fibers with minimal symplectic fillings, where the latter are classified by Bhupal and Ono [Nagoya Math. J. 2012]. As an application, we show that there are 6 pairs of entries in the list of Bhupal and Ono [Nagoya Math. J. 2012] such that two entries in each pairs represent diffeomorphic minimal symplectic fillings.
Determination of Contact Angle in Porous Molten‐Carbonate Fuel‐Cell Electrodes (1997)

A method of capillary rise (gravimetrically measured) has been investigated for determination of the electrolyte contact angle in porous electrodes for the molten‐carbonate fuel cell. The experiments were conducted on electrodes in air, at different temperatures (555 to 740°C), to monitor the influence of the temperature on the contact angle. The results indicate that the contact angle decreases with increasing temperature. The results obtained were of good reproducibility, and the method shows promise as a useful tool in characterization of wetting phenomena in porous fuel‐cell electrodes, making it possible to study electrodes as manufactured, and under electrochemical conditions. The wetting‐in was characterized also by post‐test measurements, and it was found that the wetting‐in front (i.e., from no electrolyte to fully flooded), extends over several millimeters.
Identification, Characterization, and Crystal Structure ofBacillus subtilis Nicotinic Acid Mononucleotide Adenylyltransferase (2002)

The nadD gene, encoding the enzyme nicotinic acid mononucleotide (NaMN) adenylyltransferase (AT), is essential for the synthesis of NAD and subsequent viability of the cell. The nadD gene in Bacillus subtilis (yqeJ) was identified by sequence homology with other bacterial nadD genes and by biochemical characterization of the gene product. NaMN AT catalyzes the reversible adenylation of both NaMN and the nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) but shows specificity for the nicotinate. In contrast to other known NMN ATs, biophysical characterizations reveal it to be a dimer. The NaMN AT crystal structure was determined for both the apo enzyme and product-bound form, to 2.1 and 3.2 A, respectively. The structures reveal a "functional" dimer conserved in both crystal forms and a monomer fold common to members of the nucleotidyl-transferase alpha/beta phosphodiesterase superfamily. A structural comparison with family members suggests a new conserved motif (SXXXX(R/K)) at the N terminus of an alpha-helix, which is not part of the shared fold. Interactions of the nicotinic acid with backbone atoms indicate the structural basis for specificity.
Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of agar for pets and non‐food‐producing animals (Hispanagar) (2022)

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of agar as a feed additive for pets and non-food-producing animals. Owing the lack of information, the FEEDAP Panel is not in the position to conclude on the safety of agar for pets and other non-food-producing animals and for the user. The FEEDAP Panel concludes that the additive is efficacious as a gelling agent, thickener and contributes to stabilise canned pet feed. No conclusion can be drawn on the efficacy of the additive as a binder.
ChemInform Abstract: A Study of High Oxidation State Complexes of the Type (W(η5‐C5Me5)Me2X)2(μ‐N2), Including X‐Ray Structures of (W(η5‐C5Me5)Me2(OC6F5))2(μ‐N2) and (W(η5‐C5Me5)Me2(S‐2,4,6‐C6H2Me3))2(μ‐N2). (1990)

Abstract A high yield route to the bridging dinitrogen complex (III) consists of the reduction of (I) by sodium amalgam in the presence of N2.
Scaling of small-aperture photonic crystal vertical cavity lasers (2003)

Photonic crystal confinement incorporated into vertical cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) produces reduced excess loss as the aperture diameter decreases. The improved scaling enables a new topology of coupled vertical cavity lasers.
Digital suppression of A/D interface nonlinearities (2011)

The analog-to-digital converter (ADC) is one of the key components in modern radio front-end design. Real-world ADC components always have certain trade-offs in performance which have to be taken into account. One reason for that is the rather slow development of ADCs compared to other technical achievements in radio technology [22], [33]. The fundamental trade-offs are illustrated in Figure 15.1. Power dissipation is a very important aspect especially in mobile devices, but low-power ADCs tends to have low resolution and sampling rate. On the other hand, if high resolution is required, it usually means that the sampling rate of that high-precision ADC is not very high.
Inhibition of PPARγ during rat pregnancy causes intrauterine growth restriction and attenuation of uterine vasodilation (2013)

Decreased peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) activity is thought to have a major role in preeclampsia through abnormal placental development. However, the role of PPARγ in adaptation of the uteroplacental vasculature that may lead to placental hypoperfusion and fetal growth restriction during pregnancy is not known. Here, pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 11/group) were treated during the second half of pregnancy with the PPARγ inhibitor GW9662 (10 mg/kg/day in food) or vehicle. Pregnancy outcome and PPARγ mRNA, vasodilation and structural remodeling were determined in maternal uterine and mesenteric arteries. PPARγ was expressed in uterine vascular tissue of both non-pregnant and pregnant rats with ~2-fold greater expression in radial vs. main uterine arteries. PPARγ mRNA levels were significantly higher in uterine compared to mesenteric arteries. GW9662 treatment during pregnancy did not affect maternal physiology (body weight, glucose, blood pressure), mesenteric artery vasodilation or structural remodeling of uterine and mesenteric vessels. Inhibition of PPARγ for the last 10 days of gestation caused decreased fetal weights on both day 20 and 21 of gestation that was associated with impaired vasodilation of radial uterine arteries in response to acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside. These results define an essential role of PPARγ in the control of uteroplacental vasodilatory function during pregnancy, an important determinant of blood flow to the placenta and fetus. Strategies that target PPARγ activation in the uterine circulation could have important therapeutic potential in treatment of pregnancies complicated by hypertension, diabetes or preeclampsia.
Total synthesis of (±)-fredericamycin A. Use of radical spirocyclization (1992)

(±)-Fredericamycin A 1 is synthesized using 5-exo-digonal radical closure of selenide 15(Scheme 2), and an unusual procedure for both selective demethylation of the advanced intermediate 22 and adjustment of the stereochemistry in the pentadienyl side chain.
Beiträge zur Chemie des Bors, 213. Reaktionen eines Amino–imino–borans mit Triboran(7) und Decaboran(14) (1992)

Contributions to the Chemistry of Boron, 213 [1] . – Reactions of an Amino–imino–borane with Triborane(7) and Decaborane(14) Triborane(7)‐THF hydroborates ( tert ‐butylimino)(tetramethylpiperidino)borane 1 slowly to form μ‐( tert ‐butylamino)‐μ‐(tetramethylpiperidino)tetraborane(8) 5 . This molecule shows fluxional behaviour at ambient temperature in solution. In the solid state, an X–ray structure analysis reveals the presence of the asymmetric 1104–styx valence tautomer. 1 does not react at ambient temperature with pentaborane(9) in dichloromethane/hexane solution. However, 1 reacts rapidly with decaborane(14) to produce a tetramethylpiperidine adduct of an 11‐( tert ‐butylamino)undecaborane(14) as determined by an X–ray structure analysis. The same kind of reaction occurs between decaborane(14) and (2,6–diisopropylphenylimino)‐(2,2,6,6–tetramethylpiperidino)borane. Thus, decaborane(14) acts as a diprotic acid towards amino–imino–boranes.
Artificial Bacterial Flagella for Remote‐Controlled Targeted Single‐Cell Drug Delivery (2014)

An approach for batch preparation of liposome-functionalized microdevices is demonstrated for remotely controlled single-cell drug delivery. The liposome functionalized artificial bacterial flagella exhibit corkscrew swimming in 3D with micrometer positioning precision by applying an external rotating magnetic field. The devices are also capable of delivering water-soluble drugs to single cells in vitro.
The year in cardiology: arrhythmias and pacing (2020)

During this last year, there has been much progress with regard to anticoagulant and ablation therapy for atrial fibrillation (AF). Apart from recently issued European Society of Cardiology Guidelines for the management of patients with supraventricular arrhythmias, there has been little progress in research in this field. Ventricular arrhythmias and device therapy have seen modest progress.
Differential gene expression in liver and small intestine from lactating rats compared to age-matched virgin controls detects increased mRNA of cholesterol biosynthetic genes (2011)

We detected differential expression of mRNA from several pathways in lactating dams, including upregulation of the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway in liver and intestine, consistent with Srebp activation. Differential T-Cell signaling in the two most distal regions of the small intestine (ileum and jejunum) was also noted, as well as differential expression of transporters that likely play a key role in nutrient uptake.
A Novel Dispersion-Free Interleaver for Bidirectional DWDM Transmission Systems (2007)

We propose a novel dispersion-free interleaver using optical delay lines by accurately locating the zeros in the transfer function. It has been implemented with the design of interleaver pairs with the same amplitude responses but opposite phase responses for bidirectional dense wavelength-division multiplexed (DWDM) transmission systems. The measured results are consistent with device simulation. We have further modified the original three-port design using unidirectional amplification, and a fourport interleaver has been built and demonstrated to achieve bidirectional DWDM transmission. In this paper, we fully studied and verified the applications of our four-port interleavers in bidirectional transmission. We demonstrated a bidirectional strain-line system over 210 km and a recirculating loop transmission over a 500-km standard single-mode fiber using 10-Gb/s on-off keying signals. Furthermore, we also demonstrated return-to-zero differential phase-shift keying (DPSK) and nonreturn-to-zero DPSK modulation formats for more than 230 km of transmission. For comparison, the different amplification functions, such as the erbium-doped fiber amplifier and the semiconductor optical amplifier, have also been probed in this paper. The experimental results have clearly illustrated the desirable functions of this novel bidirectional amplifier in this dispersion-free interleaver.
Early treatment re-direction based on functional tumor volume at 3 and 6-week MRI for breast cancer patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy (2023)

In the I-SPY2 breast cancer trial, functional tumor volume (FTV) derived from dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI is used as a longitudinal measure of response to adjust patient randomization and evaluate drug efficacy. I-SPY2 is introducing a treatment &amp;ldquo;escalation&amp;rdquo; option, giving patients the opportunity to re-direct to potentially more effective treatment based on early indication of inferior response by MRI. We retrospectively investigated the ability of FTV reduction to predict inferior outcome. Combined criteria using FTV reduction at 3 and 6 weeks of treatment showed high PPV and high sensitivity in early detection of non-responders.
Limitations of the Arrhenius Methododolgy (1998)

The Arrhenius methodology has been utilized for many years to NOV 171998 predict polymer lifetimes in various applications. Unfortunately, there are numerous potential limitations associated with this methodology, o ST I many of which can lead to non-Arrhenius behavior. This paper will review several of these limitations, including a brief mention of diffusion-limited oxidation (DLO) effects and a more extensive discussion of the implication of changes in the effective Arrhenius activation energy E. or in the dominant reactions as the temperature changes. Changes in Ea or in the dominant reactions with temperature can happen for any material, making extrapolations beyond the experimental temperature range problematic. Unfortunately, when mechanistic changes occur, they invariably result in a reduction in effective Arrhenius activation energy, leading to lower than expected material lifetimes. Thus it is critically important to derive methods for testing the Arrhenius extrapolation assumption. One approach that we have developed involves ultrasensitive oxygen consumption measurements. Results from the application of this approach will be reviewed.
Bioreducible Polymers As a Determining Factor for Polyplex Decomplexation Rate and Transfection (2012)

Polyplex formation (complexation) and gene release from the polyplexes (decomplexation) are major events in polymeric gene delivery; however, the effect of the decomplexation rate on transfection has been rarely investigated. This study employed mixed polymers of poly((L)-lysine) (PLL: MW ~7.4 kDa) and reducible PLL (RPLL) (MW ~6.7 kDa) to design decomplexation rate-controllable PLL(100-x)RPLL(x)/pDNA complexes (PRL(x) polyplexes). The transfection efficiency of a model gene (luciferase) in MCF7 and HEK293 cell lines increased with increasing x (RPLL content) in the PRL(x) polyplexes until peaking at x = 2.5 and 10, respectively, after which point transfection efficiency declined rapidly. In MCF7 cells, PRL(2.5) polyplex produced 3 or 223 times higher gene expression than PLL or RPLL polyplexes, respectively. Similarly, the transfection efficiency of PRL(10) polyplex-transfected HEK293 cells was 3.8 or 67 times higher than that of PLL or RPLL polyplexes, respectively. The transfection results were not apparently related to the particle size, surface charge, complexation/compactness, cellular uptake, or cytotoxicity of the tested polyplexes. However, the decomplexation rate varied by RPLL content in the polyplexes, which in turn influenced the gene transfection. The nuclear localization of pDNA delivered by PRL(x) polyplexes showed a similar trend to their transfection efficiencies. This study suggests that an optimum decomplexation rate may result in high nuclear localization of pDNA and transfection. Understanding in decomplexation and intracellular localization of pDNA may help develop more effective polyplexes.
Measurement of the transport spin polarization of doped strontium ruthenates using point contact Andreev reflection (2008)

Electrical conductivity, magnetic susceptibility, and point contact Andreev reflection (PCAR) studies were done on bulk, polycrystalline SrRu1−x(TM)xO3 (TM=Cr, Mn, Ti) and SrRu0.92O3 with a high degree of disorder. Fits of the temperature dependence of the latter using the Curie–Weiss law yielded values for the Curie–Weiss temperature, Θ. Furthermore, the values of the Curie temperature, TC were identified by determining the maximum susceptibility as a function of temperature. PCAR measurements were done to determine the transport spin polarization, Pt (0⩽Pt⩽1.0). Pure SrRuO3 undergoes ferromagnetic ordering at a Curie temperature of TC∼160K and has a relatively high spin polarization (∼0.6). Our results indicate that when the lattice is disordered from either the presence of Ru lattice site defects or the substitution of a transition metal for the Ru, TC changes by a factor of 2, and Θ by a factor of 1.7. By contrast, the spin polarization is unchanged for both SrRu0.94Ti0.06O3 and SrRu0.9Mn0.1O3, while it is barely changed (P=0.5) for SrRu0.9Cr0.1O3.
The Amyloid–Congo Red Interface at Atomic Resolution (2011)

The analytical “gold standard” for amyloid characterization and diagnostics, Congo red, was studied in complex with an amyloid (see picture). Based on details of the binding mode, a point mutation of the amyloid was prepared which has the same three-dimensional structure as the wild-type protein but is not congophilic. This surprising specificity may aid in the design of selective anti-amyloidogenic drugs. Detailed facts of importance to specialist readers are published as ”Supporting Information”. Such documents are peer-reviewed, but not copy-edited or typeset. They are made available as submitted by the authors. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.
Elongating and breaking of nanoparticles during the drawing of optical fibers (2018)

International audience
Bayesian Optimization for Field-Scale Geological Carbon Storage (2022)

We present a framework that couples a high-fidelity compositional reservoir simulator with Bayesian optimization (BO) for injection well scheduling optimization in geological carbon sequestration. This work represents one of the first at tempts to apply BO and high-fidelity physics models to geological carbon storage. The implicit parallel accurate reservoir simulator (IPARS) is utilized to accurately capture the underlying physical processes during CO2 sequestration. IPARS provides a framework for several flow and mechanics models and thus supports both stand-alone and coupled simulations. In this work, we use the compositional flow module to simulate the geological carbon storage process. The compositional flow model, which includes a hysteretic three-phase relative permeability model, accounts for three major CO2 trapping mechanisms: structural trapping, residual gas trapping, and solubility trapping. Furthermore, IPARS is coupled to the International Business Machines (IBM) Corporation Bayesian Optimization Accelerator (BOA) for parallel optimizations of CO2 injection strategies during field-scale CO2 sequestration. BO builds a probabilistic surrogate for the objective function using a Bayesian machine learning algorithm—the Gaussian process regression, and then uses an acquisition function that leverages the uncertainty in the surrogate to decide where to sample. The IBM BOA addresses the three weaknesses of standard BO that limits its scalability in that IBM BOA supports parallel (batch) executions, scales better for high-dimensional problems, and is more robust to initializations. We demonstrate these merits by applying the algorithm in the optimization of the CO2 injection schedule in the Cranfield site in Mississippi, USA, using field data. The optimized injection schedule achieves 16% more gas storage volume and 56% less water/surfactant usage compared with the baseline. The performance of BO is compared with that of a genetic algorithm (GA) and a covariance matrix adaptation (CMA)-evolution strategy (ES). The results demonstrate the superior performance of BO, in that it achieves a competitive objective function value with over 60% fewer forward model evaluations.
ChemInform Abstract: Design, Synthesis, and Evaluation of Fibrinogen Inhibitors, ω‐(p‐ Amidinophenoxy)alkanoylaspartic Acid Derivatives. (1996)

Abstract ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 100 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
Smart PEEK Modified by Self-Initiated Surface Graft Polymerization for Orthopedic Bearings (2014)

Poly(ether-ether-ketone) (PEEK)s are a group of polymeric biomaterials with excellent mechanical properties, chemical stability, and nonmagnetism. In the present study, we propose a novel self-initiated surface graft polymerization technique, using which we demonstrate the fabrication of a highly hydrophilic and biocompatible nanometer-scale layer on the surfaces of PEEK and carbon fiber-reinforced PEEK (CFR-PEEK) by the photoinduced graft polymerization of 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) without using any photoinitiators. The thus formed hydrophilic and smooth 100-nm-thick PMPC-grafted layer caused a significant reduction in the sliding friction of the bearing interface because the thin water film and hydrated PMPC layer acted as extremely efficient lubricants (so-called fluid-film lubrication or hydration lubrication). Fluid-film lubrication suppressed the direct contact of the counter-bearing surface with the PEEK substrate and thus reduced the frictional force. A PMPC-grafted layer is therefore expected to significantly increase bearing durability. Furthermore, the PMPC-grafted layer shows unique phenomena, e.g., it prevents damage of the metal counter surface regardless of the carbon fiber content of CFR-PEEK. Smart PEEK using the self-initiated surface graft polymerization of MPC should lead to development of novel orthopedic bearings. Keywords: poly(ether-ether-ketone), 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine, surface modification, photopolymerization, joint replacement, wear mechanism