gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
<scp>GPCR</scp> heterodimers: asymmetries in ligand binding and signalling output offer new targets for drug discovery (2012)

This article is a commentary on the research paper by Siddiquee et al., pp. 1104-1117 of this issue. To view this paper visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1476-5381.2012.02192.x.
Normal polymorphic variations and transcription of the decay accelerating factor gene in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria cells. (1988)

In paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), an acquired hemolytic anemia, deficiency of decay accelerating factor (DAF) renders blood cells susceptible to increased deposition of autologous complement activation fragments (C3b) and complemented-mediated injury. To investigate the mechanism of the DAF defect, DNA and mRNA from normal and PNH leukocytes were compared in blot hybridization assays by using DAF cDNA and oligonucleotide probes. Southern analyses of DNA from normal cells revealed a single gene spanning approximately equal to 35 kilobases of DNA. Six HindIII banding patterns were distinguishable among normal individuals. In family studies, the patterns segregated as three homozygous and three heterozygous genotypes deriving from three haplotypes: A, B, and C with frequencies of 0.47, 0.36, and 0.17, respectively. Oligonucleotide mapping localized the polymorphic HindIII sites to two noncoding regions in the vicinity of exons encoding (i) the protein oligosaccharide-rich domain and (ii) the mRNA 3'-untranslated region. Analyses of DNA from DAF-negative leukocytes of eight PNH patients demonstrated restriction fragment profiles identical to those of normal individuals for all enzymes studied. Three patients had the BC (normals = 3/32), three patients had the AA (normals = 6/32), and two patients had the AC (normals = 8/32) HindIII genotype. Of the three PNH patients exhibiting the BC genotype, family studies of two demonstrated the expected inheritance patterns, and RNA gel blot analyses of two showed mRNA transcripts indistinguishable from those in normal cells. The absence of DAF gene or mRNA alterations in affected PNH cells that lack other glycolipid-anchored proteins as well as DAF argues that the lesion underlying PNH cells resides in the glycolipid-anchor pathway.
Reliability and differentiation of pelvic floor muscle electromyography measurements in healthy volunteers using a new device: The multiple array probe leiden (MAPLe) (2012)

The MAPLe is a reliable instrument measuring the EMG signals of the different sides and levels nearest to the pelvic floor musculature and is capable to differentiate between men and women, nulliparous, parous, pre- and postmenopausal. The findings of this study have implications for the diagnosis and treatment of pelvic floor dysfunction in the future.
Collagen plug sealing of iatrogenic fetal membrane defects after fetoscopic surgery for congenital diaphragmatic hernia (2013)

No evidence was found that collagen plugs reduce the risk of PPROM after FETO for CDH.
Detecting Horizontally Transferred and Essential Genes Based on Dinucleotide Relative Abundance (2008)

Various methods have been developed to detect horizontal gene transfer in bacteria, based on anomalous nucleotide composition, assuming that compositional features undergo amelioration in the host genome. Evolutionary theory predicts the inevitability of false positives when essential sequences are strongly conserved. Foreign genes could become more detectable on the basis of their higher order compositions if such features ameliorate more rapidly and uniformly than lower order features. This possibility is tested by comparing the heterogeneities of bacterial genomes with respect to strand-independent first- and second-order features, (i) G + C content and (ii) dinucleotide relative abundance, in 1 kb segments. Although statistical analysis confirms that (ii) is less inhomogeneous than (i) in all 12 species examined, extreme anomalies with respect to (ii) in the Escherichia coli K12 genome are typically co-located with essential genes.
Synthesis of Magnetic Molecularly Imprinted Poly(ethylene-<i>co</i>-vinyl alcohol) Nanoparticles and Their Uses in the Extraction and Sensing of Target Molecules in Urine (2010)

Superparamagnetic nanoparticles are of great current interest for biomedical applications in both diagnostics and treatment. Magnetic nanoparticles (MNP) can be manipulated by magnetic fields, so that when functionalized, they can be used for the purification and separation of biomolecules and even whole cells. Here we report combining the separation capabilities of MNPs with the functional (binding) capability of molecularly imprinted polymers. Albumin- creatinine-, lysozyme-, and urea-imprinted polymer nanoparticles were synthesized from poly(ethylene-co-ethylene alcohol) via phase inversion, with both target molecules and hydrophobic magnetic nanoparticles mixed within the polymer solution. Several ethylene:ethylene alcohol mole ratios were studied. The rebinding capacities for those three target molecules varied from 0.76 ± 0.02 to 5.97 ± 0.04 mg/g of molecularly imprinted magnetic nanoparticles. Lastly, the composite nanoparticles were used for separation and sensing of template molecules (e.g., human serum albumin) in real samples (urine) and results were compared with a commercial ARCHITECT ci 8200 system.
Geometric source coding and vector quantization (1989)

A geometric formulation is presented for source coding and vector quantizer design. Motivated by the asymptotic equipartition principle, the authors consider two broad classes of source codes and vector quantizers: elliptical codes and quantizers based on the Gaussian density function, and pyramid codes and quantizers based on the Laplacian density function. Elliptical and weighted pyramid vector quantizers are developed by selecting codewords as points in a lattice that lie on (or near) a specified ellipse or pyramid. The combination of geometric structure and lattice basis allows simple encoding and decoding algorithms.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">></ETX>
Detecting SQL Injection Vulnerabilities in Web Services (2009)

Web services are often deployed with critical software bugs that can be maliciously exploited. Web vulnerability scanners are regarded as an easy way to test Web applications against security vulnerabilities. However, previous research shows that the effectiveness of these tools in Web services environments is very poor. In fact, the high number of false-positives and the low coverage observed in practice highlight the strong limitations of these tools. The goal of this paper is to demonstrate that it is possible to develop a vulnerability scanner for Web services that performs much better than the commercial ones currently available. Thus, we propose an approach to detect SQL injection vulnerabilities, one of the most common and most critical types of vulnerabilities in web environments. Experimental evaluation shows that our approach performs much better than well-known commercial tools, achieving very high detection coverage while maintaining the false positives rate quite low.
Transplantation of neural stem cells into explants of Rat inner ear (2004)

Damage and loss of hair cells in the inner ear is the most frequent cause of hearing loss and balance disorders. Mammalian hair cells do not regenerate in the conventional ways. To regenerate the hair cell in the mammalian inner ear we transplanted neural stem cells into explants of rat inner ear. The stem cells integrated successfully into the sensory epithelium of the vestibular organs, but not into the organ of Corti. This method is useful to investigate efficient ways to transplant stem cells into the inner ear.
Remote control of a robotic boat via the internet (2006)

This paper introduces a boat prototype capable of being controlled remotely over an Internet connection. This function is achieved in four major parts: hull and frame construction, electronics implementation, communication interfacing, and software integration. A successful test of the prototype was accomplished on March 11, 2005. Since then, minor adjustments to the software and rudder system have been made, but the boat itself remains sea-worthy, or at the very least pond-worthy.
Nouveaux types d'aimants NdFeB à comportement amélioré vis-à-vis de la corrosion et de la température (1990)

Des niveaux de coercivite de l'ordre de 1 350 kA/m (17 kOe) sont obtenus sans addition de dysprosium. En remplacant de plus le neodyme par 1,5 at % de dysprosium, des conditions operatoires telles que − B/μ o H=0,5 a 180°C sont possibles sans pertes irreversibles. La resistance a la corrosion est tres fortement amelioree. Des revetements organiques permettent alors d'atteindre, en tests a l'autoclave, des durees de vie qu'une quarantaine de jours, soit cinq fois plus qu'avec les aimants habituels
Reboxetine versus fluoxetine: an overview of efficacy and tolerability. (1998)

Serotonin selective reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are widely used to treat depression and offer the advantage of being better tolerated compared with tricyclic antidepressants, which inhibit both serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake. Against this background, 2 clinical studies were conducted comparing the efficacy and tolerability of reboxetine, a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, with fluoxetine, an SSRI. Both studies were of double-blind, randomized, parallel-group, multicenter design. One included a placebo control group. Five hundred forty-nine patients with major depression, under inpatient care or attending outpatient or day hospital clinics, received reboxetine (8-10 mg/day) or fluoxetine (20-40 mg/day) over 8 weeks. The overall efficacy of reboxetine and fluoxetine was similar, and superior to placebo, as assessed by the mean reduction in Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression total score. Reboxetine demonstrated superior efficacy compared with fluoxetine in severely ill patients and was associated with greater improvement in social functioning, especially in terms of motivation toward action and negative self-perception. Both treatments were well tolerated. In summary, reboxetine is an effective and well-tolerated antidepressant and is superior to fluoxetine in the treatment of severely ill patients and in terms of improving social functioning.
An improved pi /4-QPSK with nonredundant error correction for satellite mobile broadcasting (1991)

An improved pi /4-quadrature phase-shift keying (QPSK) receiver that incorporates a simple nonredundant error correction (NEC) structure is proposed for satellite and land-mobile digital broadcasting. The bit-error rate (BER) performance of the pi /4-QPSK with NEC is analyzed and evaluated in a fast Rician fading and additive white Gaussian noise. (AWGN) environment using computer simulation. It is demonstrated that with simple electronics the performance of a noncoherently detected pi /4-QPSK signal in both AWGN and fast Rician fading can be improved. When the K-factor (a ratio of average power of multipath signal to direct path power) of the Rician channel decreases, the improvement increases. An improvement of 1.2 dB could be obtained at a BER of 10/sup -4/ in the AWGN channel. This performance gain is achieved without requiring any signal redundancy and additional bandwidth. Three types of noncoherent detection schemes of pi /4QPSK with NEC structure, such as intermediate frequency band differential detection, baseband differential detection, and FM discriminator, are discussed. It is concluded that the pi /4-QPSK with NEC is an attractive scheme for power-limited satellite land-mobile broadcasting systems.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">></ETX>
Measurement of gluconeogenesis in exercising men by mass isotopomer distribution analysis (2002)

We evaluated the hypothesis that coordinated adjustments in absolute rates of gluconeogenesis (GNG ab ) and hepatic glycogenolysis (Gly) would maintain euglycemia and match glucose production (GP) to peripheral utilization during rest and exercise. Specifically, we evaluated the extent to which gradations in exercise power output would affect the contribution of GNG ab to GP. For these purposes, we employed mass isotopomer distribution analysis (MIDA) and isotope-dilution techniques on eight postabsorptive (PA) endurance-trained men during 90 min of leg cycle ergometry at 45 and 65% peak O 2 consumption (V˙o 2 peak ; moderate and hard intensities, respectively) and the preceding rest period. GP was constant in resting subjects, whereas the fraction from GNG (f GNG ) increased over time during rest (22.3 ± 0.9% at 11.25 h PA vs. 25.6 ± 0.9% at 12.0 h PA, P < 0.05). In the transition from rest to exercise, GP increased in an intensity-dependent manner (rest, 2.0 ± 0.1; 45%, 4.0 ± 0.4; 65%, 5.84 ± 0.64 mg · kg −1 · min −1 , P < 0.05), although glucose rate of disappearance exceeded rate of appearance during the last 30 min of exercise at 65%V˙o 2 peak . Compared with rest, increases in GP were sustained by 92 and 135% increments in GNG ab during moderate- and hard-intensity exercises, respectively. Correspondingly, Gly (calculated as the difference between GP and MIDA-measured GNG ab ) increased 100 and 203% over rest during the two exercise intensities. During moderate-intensity exercise, f GNG was the same as at rest; however, during the harder exercise f GNG decreased significantly to account for only 21% of GP. The highest sustained GNG ab observed in these trials on PA men was 1.24 ± 0.3 mg · kg −1 · min −1 . We conclude that, after an overnight fast, 1) absolute GNG rates increased with intensity of effort despite a reduced f GNG at 65% V˙o 2 peak , 2) during exercise Gly is more responsible than GNG ab for maintaining GP, and 3) in 12-h fasted men, neither increased Gly or GNG ab nor was their combination able to maintain euglycemia during prolonged hard (65%V˙o 2 peak ) exercise.
Identification and functional activity of prolactin receptors in thymic epithelial cells. (1991)

Thymic epithelial cells (TECs), the major component of the thymic microenvironment, can be modulated by pituitary hormones. We have shown previously that prolactin (PRL) can influence the endocrine activity of TECs and stimulate TEC proliferation as well as cytokeratin expression, suggesting the existence of PRL receptors on TECs. Using a series of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to the extracellular domain of the rat liver PRL receptor, we have demonstrate that rat TECs bear specific receptors for PRL, as assessed by immunoblotting as well as by immunocytochemistry experiments. Using a probe specific for the long form of PRL receptor, mRNAs of 6.7 and 10.1 kilobases were detected, although by immunoblot the major protein in TECs had a molecular mass of 43 kDa. Functionally, these mAbs were able to modulate thymulin secretion, as well as TEC proliferation. Moreover, the mAbs cross-reacted with human TECs and were able to mimic the action of PRL on these cells. These data bring further support for the general concept of the neuroendocrine immune circuit and extend the notion for a pleiotropic role of PRL as an immunomodulatory hormone.
Expression of trkA cDNA in neuroblastomas mediates differentiation in vitro and in vivo. (1993)

The human trkA cDNA was transfected into a malignant human neuroblastoma (NB) cell line (HTLA230) to investigate its role in NB growth and differentiation. This cell line lacks expression of both endogenous trkA and gp75NGFR genes. Transfectants expressing the trkA mRNA and surface-bound receptors transcriptionally activate immediate-early genes (c-fos, c-jun, and jun-B) following nerve growth factor (NGF) stimulation. NGF treatment induces growth arrest as well as down-regulation of the amplified N-myc oncogene. Genes selectively expressed in mature neurons (SCG-10, ret proto-oncogene, GAP-43, etc.) are transcriptionally activated, and neurite outgrowth further demonstrates differentiation of transfectants following NGF stimulation. trkA-expressing NB cells remain tumorigenic in nude mice; however, subcutaneous treatment of tumor-bearing mice with NGF induces Schwannian and neuronal cell differentiation similar to the induction seen in human ganglioneuroblastomas. Thus, trkA expression in HTLA230 cells is sufficient to generate a functional NGF receptor complex that leads to growth-arrested and differentiated NB cells in vitro and in vivo in the presence of NGF. Hence, NGF may play a crucial role in NB cell differentiation and regression in vivo.
Atomistic Simulation of Surface Effects on Magnetic Properties of Alloy Nanomaterials (2018)

In the magnetic recording industry, L10 ordered CoPt and FePt nanoparticles have been considered as promising material candidates to advance the recording density beyond 1Tbit/in2. Compared with their bulk form, these alloy nanoparticles exhibit inferior magnetic properties. Surface effects, which are much more pronounced in nanometer scale, have been suggested to contribute to the deteriorated properties. In this work, surface related phenomena in these alloys are explored using atomistic simulation method. Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations on the surface segregation effect have been performed in cuboidal, cuboctahedral nanoparticles and the related low index surfaces of L10 ordered CoPt alloy. Pt surface segregation to the outermost surface is found thermodynamically favorable in both nanoparticles and crystallographic surfaces. This segregation causes directly the break in structural, chemical ordering and accordingly the reduction in magnetic moment and change in magnetic anisotropy. Under 2nd order perturbation theory, the magnetic anisotropy energy on surface slabs has been associated with the change in d_(z^2 ) state density of surface Co atoms in the minority spin channel. Moreover, the magnetic properties of CoPt and FePt nanoparticles are demonstrated to be affected by particle shape using DFT calculations. This shape dependent magnetism is found correlated with the contraction in atomic spacing and local chemical composition. In addition, the surface spin canting mechanisms are identified for CoPt and FePt cuboctahedral nanoparticles. The different spin canting fashions for these two materials have been reproduced by micromagnetic simulation using Néel’s surface anisotropy model. The relationship between magnetoelastic coupling and Néel’s anisotropy constant in tetragonal lattice has been established. Through the calculation of Néel’s anisotropy constant from first principles, the different spin canting mechanisms have been explained. Finally, the effect of doping Cu, Ag and Au atoms on CoPt and FePt surfaces has been investigated. The Pt surface segregation has been found suppressed by the impurity atoms and the magnetic moment of surface Co/Fe atoms is restored up to the value of corresponding bulk-terminated surface. These additive atoms are proved to be beneficial for the improvement of magnetic properties on CoPt (001) surface and FePt (100) surface.
Enhancement of transverse thermoelectric power factor in tilted Bi/Cu multilayer (2009)

We investigated transverse thermoelectric response in tilted Bi/Cu multilayer. Estimation through an equivalent circuit model showed that transverse thermoelectric power factor (PF) reaching 155 μW/cm K2 is possible with optimum device parameters. Finite element analysis confirmed the validity of the estimation using tensorial representation, which implicitly assumes homogeneous anisotropy. The Bi/Cu multilayer was fabricated by pressure injection of molten Bi into a periodically slitted Cu block. The measurement of the fabricated sample verified an enhancement in transverse PF up to 50.1 μW/cm K2, which is approximately 1.5 times greater than the conventional PF of constituent Bi, 34 μW/cm K2.
Investigation of polarization structure of ultrawideband radiation pulses (2002)

Summary form only given. Applications of high-power sources of ultrawideband (UWB) radiation require knowing the polarization structure (PS) of the field of radiated pulses. The paper presents the design of a vector receiving antenna and technique of measuring the polarization structure of UWB pulses radiated and scattered on objects. The receiving antenna consists of mutually perpendicular identical dipoles, the signals from them being recorded simultaneously and independently by a two-channel oscilloscope. The dipole length is approximately 1/4 of the UWB pulse space length and the ratio of the transverse dimension to the longitudinal one is 1/4. To spread the receiving antenna passband, the dipoles were loaded to the screened symmetric feeders with the wave impedance of 150 Ohm via impedance transformers 4:1. An algorithm has been developed allowing determination of the electric field vector E orientation in a Cartesian coordinate system related to two mutually perpendicular dipoles placed at the plane of the incident wave front by the registered current values at the loads. The suggested vector antenna was used to investigate the PS the field of a combined radiator excited by a 2-ns long bipolar voltage pulse. It was shown that in the direction of radiation maximum, vector E didn't change its position during a pulse, i.e., it was linearly polarized. At the essential angle deviation from the direction of radiation maximum, vector E is rotating during a pulse making 1.5 circles. The velocity of vector E rotation during a pulse isn't constant. In the pulse reflected from the objects, vector E rotates in the transverse direction. The error of determination of vector E angular position is 2-4 degrees.
Timed multitasking for real-time embedded software (2003)

An event-triggered programming model, timed multitasking, is introduced that also takes a time-centric approach to real-time programming but controls timing properties through deadlines and events rather than time triggers.
State management in a distributed UNIX system (1996)

Operating systems maintain and manipulate objects that represent resources such as processes, files and I/O devices. In an operating system distributed across multiple nodes, management of object state and object references is a critical factor affecting the system's architecture, performance and complexity. This paper discusses object state management and caching in AD 2, a distributed, single-system-image UNIX operating system that runs on multicomputers and clusters. AD 2 maintains the coherency of distributed objects via token abstraction; support for tokens is implemented by the Token Module, a generic state-management facility that enables AD 2 services to efficiently control access to object state that is distributed across multiple nodes. The paper details the Token Module's architecture and functionality, including the features supporting scalability, piggybacking of tokens to avoid messages, and flexibility with respect to maintaining cache coherency and resolving conflicting accesses. Also described is how AD 2 services use tokens and the associated Token Module features to implement distributed access to UNIX files, mounted file systems and shared open file structures.