gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Identification of a Novel Indoline Derivative for in Vivo Fluorescent Imaging of Blood-Brain Barrier Disruption in Animal Models (2013)

Disruption of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) can occur in various pathophysiological conditions. Administration of extraneous tracers that can pass the disrupted, but not the intact, BBB and detection of the extravasation have been widely used to assess BBB disruption in animal models. Although several fluorescent tracers have been successfully used, the administration of these tracers basically requires intravascular injection, which can be laborious when using small animals such as zebrafish. To identify fluorescent tracers that could be easily administered into various animal models and visualize the BBB disruption in vivo, we prepared nine structurally related indoline derivatives (IDs) as a minimum set of diverse fluorescent compounds. We found that one ID, ZMB741, had the highest affinity for serum albumin and emitted the strongest fluorescence in the presence of serum albumin of the nine IDs tested. The affinity to serum albumin and the fluorescence intensity was superior to those of Evans blue and indocyanine green that have been conventionally used to assess the BBB disruption. We showed that ZMB741 could be administered into zebrafish by static immersion or mice by intraperitoneal injection and visualizes the active disruption of their BBB. These results suggest that ZMB741 can be a convenient and versatile tool for in vivo fluorescent imaging of BBB disruption in various animal models. The strategy used in this study can also be applied to diversity-oriented libraries to identify novel fluorescent tracers that may be superior to ZMB741.
Telomerase: Structure and Function (2013)

Abstract In contrast to normal cells, tumour cells generally have short telomere lengths and show no continuing loss of telomere length with successive cell divisions, suggesting that telomere stability may be required for cells to escape from replicative senescence and proliferate indefinitely. Most, but not necessarily all, malignant tumours are immortal to sustain their growth, thus, the cellular ribonucleoprotein (reverse transcriptase) enzyme complex termed telomerase may be a rate‐limiting step required for the continuing proliferation of advanced cancers. Telomerase, the enzyme that completes deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) replication at the termini of eukaryotic chromosomes, is an important factor in DNA replication, chromosomal stability and tumorigenesis. In human tumours, telomere length is maintained by a balance between processes that lengthen telomeres (telomerase) and processes that shorten telomeres (lack of complete lagging DNA strand synthesis ‘end replication problem’ and other end processing events). Telomerase stabilises telomere length by adding TTAGGG repeats onto the telomeric ends of the chromosomes, thus compensating for the continued erosion of telomeres that occurs in its absence. As telomerase is expressed in almost all human cancers, approaches for inhibiting telomerase as a target for cancer therapeutics are currently progressing through clinical trials. Key Concepts: Telomeres, the ends of human chromosomes progressively shorten throughout life in all dividing human cells and when critically shortened become ‘uncapped’ leading to a DNA damage signal and then undergo growth arrest termed replicative senescence (cell ageing). A hallmark of cancer cells is unlimited cell growth. Advanced cancer cells accomplish immortality almost universally by activating or upregulating the ribonucleoprotein complex termed telomerase. Telomerase is composed of two essential components, TERT (reverse transcriptase component) and TERC (functional or template RNA that recognises the ends of chromosomes). Telomerase is expressed during early human development and remains silent in almost all human tissues except transiently amplified stem cells throughout life. Approximately 90% of all human cancers express telomerase activity. A small fraction of human tumours do not express telomerase and some of these may engage a DNA recombination mechanism to maintain telomeres termed ALT, alternative lengthening of telomeres. Introduction of hTERT into normal telomerase silent cells is sufficient to immortalise cells in appropriate culture conditions without the cells becoming cancerous. As telomerase is almost a universal oncology target, inhibiting telomerase should be a potent anticancer therapeutic target.
Costless: Optimizing Cost of Serverless Computing through Function\n Fusion and Placement (2018)

Serverless computing has recently experienced significant adoption by several\napplications, especially Internet of Things (IoT) applications. In serverless\ncomputing, rather than deploying and managing dedicated virtual machines, users\nare able to deploy individual functions, and pay only for the time that their\ncode is actually executing. However, since serverless platforms are relatively\nnew, they have a completely different pricing model that depends on the memory,\nduration, and the number of executions of a sequence/workflow of functions. In\nthis paper we present an algorithm that optimizes the price of serverless\napplications in AWS Lambda. We first describe the factors affecting price of\nserverless applications which include: (1) fusing a sequence of functions, (2)\nsplitting functions across edge and cloud resources, and (3) allocating the\nmemory for each function. We then present an efficient algorithm to explore\ndifferent function fusion-placement solutions and find the solution that\noptimizes the application's price while keeping the latency under a certain\nthreshold. Our results on image processing workflows show that the algorithm\ncan find solutions optimizing the price by more than 35%-57% with only 5%-15%\nincrease in latency. We also show that our algorithm can find non-trivial\nmemory configurations that reduce both latency and price.\n
Natural Flavone Jaceosidin is a Neuroinflammation Inhibitor (2012)

Jaceosidin is a naturally occurring flavone with pharmacological activity. Jaceosidin, as one of the major constituents of the medicinal herbs of the genus Artemisia, has been shown to exert anticancer, anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and immunosuppressive effects. This study was undertaken to determine the effect of jaceosidin on microglia and neuroinflammation. Microglia are the innate immune cells in the central nervous system, and they play a central role in the initiation and maintenance of neuroinflammation. We report that jaceosidin inhibits inflammatory activation of microglia, reducing nitric oxide (NO) production and proinflammatory cytokine expression. IC50 for NO inhibition was 27 ± 0.4 μM. The flavone also attenuated microglial neurotoxicity in the microglia/neuroblastoma co-culture. Systemic injection of jaceosidin ameliorated neuroinflammation in the mouse model of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis. These results indicate that plant flavone jaceosidin is a microglial inhibitor with anti-neuroinflammation activity.
Dispersion division multiplexing in subcarrier modulated data transmission using channel-specific RF fading (2002)

We demonstrate a novel all-optical multiplexing technique for doubling the usable spectral bandwidth and number of channels in subcarrier-modulated data transmission over optical fiber. By taking advantage of the chromatic-dispersion-induced RF power fading of a given subcarrier frequency, we transmit two subcarrier channels that occupy the same frequency space. This is accomplished by designing the dispersion of each subcarrier channel in a system such that one subcarrier channel can be >99% faded at the same time that another subcarrier can be recovered. We have successfully transmitted and received two 155-Mb/s data channels that are both located at 7.1 GHz and on the same optical carrier wavelength.
Long QT Syndrome: (2000)

Long QT syndrome type 1 (LQT1) causes torsades de pointes arrhythmia, ventricular fibrillation, and sudden death. It usually is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait (Romano-Ward syndrome). The primary defect in LQT1 is a mutation in KVLQT1, a gene that encodes the pore-forming alpha-subunit of a K+ channel. KvLQT1 alpha-subunits coassemble with minK beta-subunits to form channels that conduct the slow delayed rectifier K+ current (I(Ks)) in the heart. Recessive mutations in KVLQT1 cause Jervell and Lange-Nielsen syndrome, which is characterized by more severe arrhythmias and congenital neural deafness. Heterologous expression studies demonstrated that mutations in KVLQT1 reduce I(Ks) by causing loss of channel function, altered channel gating, and/or a dominant-negative effect. It remains to be proven that an understanding of the molecular basis of LQT1 will lead to more effective therapy.
Artificial Induction of Native Aquaporin-1 Expression in Human Salivary Cells (2017)

Gene therapy for dry mouth disorders has transitioned in recent years from theoretical to clinical proof of principle with the publication of a first-in-man phase I/II dose escalation clinical trial in patients with radiation-induced xerostomia. This trial used a prototype adenoviral vector to express aquaporin-1 (AQP1), presumably in the ductal cell layer and/or in surviving acinar cells, to drive transcellular flux of interstitial fluid into the labyrinth of the salivary duct. As the development of this promising gene therapy continues, safety considerations are a high priority, particularly those that remove nonhuman agents (i.e., viral vectors and genetic sequences of bacterial origin). In this study, we applied 2 emerging technologies, artificial transcriptional complexes and epigenetic editing, to explore whether AQP1 expression could be achieved by activating the native gene locus in a human salivary ductal cell line and primary salivary human stem/progenitor cells (hS/PCs), as opposed to the conventional approach of cytomegalovirus promoter-driven expression from an episomal vector. In our first study, we used a cotransfection strategy to express the components of the dCas9-SAM system to create an artificial transcriptional complex at the AQP1 locus in A253 and hS/PCs. We found that AQP1 expression was induced at a magnitude comparable to adenoviral infection, suggesting that AQP1 is primarily silenced through pretranscriptional mechanisms. Because earlier literature suggested that pretranscriptional silencing of AQP1 in salivary glands is mediated by methylation of the promoter, in our second study, we performed global, chemical demethylation of A253 cells and found that demethylation alone induced robust AQP1 expression. These results suggest the potential for success by inducing AQP1 expression in human salivary ductal cells through epigenetic editing of the native promoter.
Interactions among Multiple Lines in the 8446-Å Atomic-Oxygen Laser (1973)

The atomic-oxygen laser oscillates at four closely spaced frequencies on the gain profile of the 8446-\AA{} fine-structure transitions. A set of experiments is reported which studies the competition among these four lines by suppressing one of them. The results are explained on the basis of the interaction of laser lines oscillating on Doppler-broadened transitions sharing a common lower level.
Effect of Ionic Transport and Separation on the Meniscus in Molten Carbonate Electrolyte (2012)

Abstract Migrational separation due to differences in cationic mobility is commonly observed during current passage in molten carbonate mixtures, and this might be responsible for the improved wetting observed upon polarization, as found experimentally according to the literature. To check this, a 2D transport model based on concentrated‐solution theory was applied to analyze the movement of ions in and near the meniscus. The effect of differences in cationic mobility and of ionic transport in general on current distribution, reaction rate, and electrolyte composition in the meniscus region was quantified, and corresponding surface tension gradients over the meniscus surface predicted. The resulting surface tension gradients were found to be too small to account for the experimentally observed meniscus rise. It is, therefore, concluded that the polarization effect on electrode wetting is not due to the gradient of surface tension caused by cationic separation. A plausible alternative explanation is that a gradient of the S/L interfacial tension exists but that this is due to specifically adsorbed intermediate reaction products, in particular oxides. Such a current density dependent adsorption layer would be in dynamic equilibrium with the local melt composition, and, thereby, drive the wetting/dewetting of the electrode surface that is experimentally observed.
Synthesis and Characterization of Cyclohexadienyl-Based Constrained Geometry Complexes (1999)

The novel constrained geometry complexes [η5:η1-C5H4EMe2−SiMe2−N(t-Bu)]TiX2, 5a (E = C, X = Cl), 5b (E = C, X = Me), 6a (E = Si, X = Cl), and 6b (E = Si, X = Me), based on dimethylcyclohexadienyl and dimethylsilacyclohexadienyl ligands have been prepared and characterized by 1H and 13C{1H} NMR spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray structure analysis (5a and 6a). These complexes are the first examples of compounds containing η5 “open” dienyl ligands (pentadienyl or cyclohexadienyl) for titanium in its highest (4+) oxidation state. The crystallographic and electrochemical analysis of these complexes demonstrate that “open” dienyl ligands can be used as a viable replacement for the cyclopentadienyl ring in complexes containing a pendant amido group.
Increasing Binding Efficiency via Reporter Shape and Flux in a Viral Nanoparticle Lateral-Flow Assay (2017)

To identify factors controlling the performance of reporter particles in a sensitive lateral-flow assay (LFA), we investigated the effect of the flux and shape of filamentous bacteriophage (phage) on the performance of phage LFAs. Phage of three different lengths and diameters were modified with biotin and AlexaFluor 555 as binding and read-out elements, respectively. The binding efficiencies of the functionalized phage were tested in a fibrous glass LFA membrane modified with avidin. The total binding rate, quantified using real-time particle counting and particle image velocimetry, decreased monotonically with the average bulk flux of phage through the membrane. At the pore scale, more phage bound in regions with faster local flow, confirming that both average and local flux increased binding. The number of bound phage increased with the aspect ratio of the phage and scaled with the phage surface area, consistent with a binding interaction controlled by the number of recognition elements on the surface. Together, these results indicate that increasing the likelihood that recognition elements on the surface of phage encounter the fibers enhances the assay binding efficiency and suggests one origin for the improved performance of nonspherical phage reporters.
Insecticides and Herbicides (2018)

The term ‘insecticide’, in a broad sense, includes substances used for the destruction of insects and related pests. For centuries, various kinds of plant materials have been used to combat insects, rats and other pests in different parts of the world. At present, over a thousand plants are known to have insecticidal properties, yet only a few are of any commercial value. Pyrethrum, derris, cubé and tobacco are the best known and most commonly used insecticides of vegetable origin. Even these better-known insecticides tend to be overshadowed by the development of synthetic insecticides, such as DDT (dichlorodiphenyl-trichloroethane), chlordane, aldrin, malathion, benzene hexachlorides and others.
Study questions use of pre-op cultures to prevent prosthetic infection (2016)

In this video, Dr. Nicholas Kavoussi sits down with Dr. Arthur L. Burnett, II, of the Urology Times Editorial Council to discuss his 2016 AUA presentation, Preoperative urine cultures for prosthetic urological surgery: What is the evidence?
6H and 4H-SiC Avalanche Photodiodes (2009)

We report on the fabrication and testing of SiC p-i-n avalanche photodiodes. APDs of 0.25 mm2 area on a-plane (1120) 6H-SiC as well as off-axis Si face 6H and 4H-SiC were successfully fabricated. A beveled mesa was used as edge termination. Recessed windows were formed using reactive ion etching to enhance low-wavelength UV performance. We performed current-voltage tests with and without UV illumination to determine dark current, photocurrent, and gain on selected devices. Dark current was less than 1 pA at 0.5Vbr on multiple devices. Quantum efficiency of 40% or greater was observed for all orientations and polytypes.
Generalized phase matching condition for lossy periodic photonic structures (2010)

The phase matching condition relating the real transverse wave vectors across a periodic boundary has been generalized to the case of complex transverse wave vectors. Based on this generalization, we describe diffraction of a complex Bloch wave propagating within a composite prism, and show that the resulting light in free space is an inhomogeneous plane wave in the presence of losses within the prism.
Laser direct deposition of nickel-based metal matrix composite (2011)

In the present work, laser direct deposition was used to build multi-layer structures of nickel-based alloy Inconel 690 reinforced with titanium carbide particles at 18.4%, 27.2%, and 40.0% by volume. Optical and electron microscopy of sectioned specimens revealed uniform distribution of titanium carbide particles throughout the multi-layer depositions and a near absence of internal voids. The ratios of Inconel 690 to TiC in the depositions matched the levels in the initial powder mixtures. The presence of carbide particles coincided with refinement of matrix microstructure and introduction of a finely dispersed crystalline phase. High-temperature dissolution of titanium carbide was not detected.
Characterization of theYersinia enterocoliticaType III Secretion ATPase YscN and Its Regulator, YscL (2006)

Type III secretion is a mechanism used by a broad range of gram-negative bacteria to neutralize eukaryotic defenses by enabling translocation of bacterial proteins directly into the cytoplasm of host cells. The bacterial energy source for secretion is ATP, which is consumed by an ATPase that couples ATP hydrolysis to the unfolding of secreted proteins and the dissociation of their chaperones just prior to secretion. By studying the biochemical properties of YscN and YscL of Yersinia enterocolitica, we have characterized them as the ATPase and ATPase regulator, respectively, of the type III secretion system of this organism. In vivo, YscL and YscN interact with each other, and the overexpression of glutathione S-transferase-YscL abolishes secretion and down-regulates the expression of secretion apparatus components.
Effects of ascorbic acid on neutrophil function. Studies on normal and chronic granulomatous disease neutrophils. (1982)

Ascorbic acid is able to stimulate neutrophil oxidative metabolism in normal neutrophils, as well as other several functions of these cells, either in the normal state or in the defective one. In the present study, we have investigated the effects of ascorbic acid on the hexose monophosphate shunt (HMPS) and on the bactericidal activity of neutrophils from Chronic Granulomatous Disease (CGD) patients. Furthermore, we have investigated the effects of ascorbic acid on the antibody dependent cell cytotoxicity (ADCC) of normal neutrophils. Ascorbic acid in vitro was able to significantly improve both HMPS activity and bacterial killing of CGD neutrophils. Its prolonged administration to such patients led to consistent clinical improvement, possibly related to the enhancement of chemotaxis, although the effects on HMPS and bacterial killing seen in vitro could not be confirmed. Ascorbic acid was also able to interfere with neutrophil ADCC with different results depending on its concentration and the experimental conditions.
Identification of Anaerobic Threshold with strucchange (2018)

Recently, various exercises have been performed including the participation in citizens' marathon meet in various scenes by a health-oriented surge. On the other hand, aging rate goes ahead through our country, it is inevitable that the senior citizens who deteriorated of the ADL (activity of daily living) increase. In late years, a certain exercise work load index AT (Anaerobic Threshold) comes to be used widely in the field of the exercise physiology. The anaerobic threshold (AT) is defined to be the maximum exercise workload in some range in which can do exercise without onset of the 1st blood lactate accumulation during a gradual incremental workload exercise. AT is generally determined by the lactate threshold (LT) method with a blood lactate sampling or by the ventilation threshold (VT) method with a ventilation expired gas volume measurement. These methods, however, were based on the experimental rule. The purpose of this study is to identify the AT by using the objective technique that does not depend on the experimental rule. Specifically, the inflection point of VE, VCO2 with a gradual incremental workload exercise for AT determination is identified by the strucchange.
Text-Mining and Gamification for the Qualification of Service Technicians in the Maintenance Industry of Offshore Wind Energy (2017)

The competition of maintenance services in the offshore wind industry is continually increasing. The quality of the services acts as the distinguishing feature in the industry. Furthermore, there are public standards, which lead to the permanent necessity to offer further education and training programs for employees. To meet the requirements for further training in the specific field of application within the offshore wind industry, a gamified e-learning application has been developed and is introduced in this paper. It consists of a complete solution, which contains the automated analysis of service protocols to identify qualification needs, the involvement of service technicians in the generation of learning materials, the preparation, transmission as well as the further development of those materials in accordance with the principles of e-learning. Finally, the solution contains a gamified mobile application for qualification, which is designed to meet the individual learning needs of the service technicians. This concept paper follows a problem-centred approach. Based on the current state of technology and research, the problem and motivation are identified and the urgency is verified. Furthermore, a detailed specification of the solution and a first implementation approach is presented.