gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Selective Incorporation of Polyanionic Molecules into Hamster Prions (2007)

The central pathogenic event of prion disease is the conformational conversion of a host protein, PrPC, into a pathogenic isoform, PrPSc. We previously showed that the protein misfolding cyclic amplification (PMCA) technique can be used to form infectious prion molecules de novo from purified native PrPC molecules in an autocatalytic process requiring accessory polyanions (Deleault, N. R., Harris, B. T., Rees, J. R., and Supattapone, S. (2007) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 104, 9741-9746). Here we investigated the molecular mechanism by which polyanionic molecules facilitate infectious prion formation in vitro. Ina PMCA reaction lacking PrPSc template seed, synthetic polyA RNA molecules induce hamster HaPrPC to adopt a protease-sensitive, detergent-insoluble conformation reactive against antibodies specific for PrPSc. During PMCA, labeled nucleic acids form nuclease-resistant complexes with HaPrP molecules. Strikingly, purified HaPrPC molecules subjected to PMCA selectively incorporate an approximately 1-2.5-kb subset of [32P]polyA RNA molecules from a heterogeneous mixture ranging in size from approximately 0.1 to >6 kb. Neuropathological analysis of scrapie-infected hamsters using the fluorescent dye acridine orange revealed that RNA molecules co-localize with large extracellular HaPrP aggregates. These findings suggest that polyanionic molecules such as RNA may become selectively incorporated into stable complexes with PrP molecules during the formation of native hamster prions.
Solar Thermal Power System for Lunar ISRU Processes (2005)

Lunar In‐Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) processes require thermal energy at various temperatures. Chemical recovery process (pyrolysis, gas‐solid reactions, gas‐liquid or three‐phase reactions and desorption) requires thermal energy at temperatures from 1000 K to 2500 K. Manufacturing processes (hot liquid processing, sinter forming, composite forming, welding, etc.) can be accomplished with thermal energy at temperatures 1200 K ∼ 1800 K. For these materials process applications, solar thermal power can be effectively utilized. Physical Sciences Inc. has been developing a innovative solar power system in which solar radiation is collected by the concentrator which transfers the concentrated solar radiation to the optical waveguide transmission line made of low loss optical fiber. In this paper we will present the recent progress of the solar thermal power source being developed at PSI, and discuss potential applications of the system to Lunar ISRU processes.
Elimination of damaged mitochondria through mitophagy reduces mitochondrial oxidative stress and increases tolerance to trichothecenes (2014)

Trichothecene mycotoxins are natural contaminants of small grain cereals and are encountered in the environment, posing a worldwide threat to human and animal health. Their mechanism of toxicity is poorly understood, and little is known about cellular protection mechanisms against trichothecenes. We previously identified inhibition of mitochondrial protein synthesis as a novel mechanism for trichothecene-induced cell death. To identify cellular functions involved in trichothecene resistance, we screened the Saccharomyces cerevisiae deletion library for increased sensitivity to nonlethal concentrations of trichothecin (Tcin) and identified 121 strains exhibiting higher sensitivity than the parental strain. The largest group of sensitive strains had significantly higher reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels relative to the parental strain. A dose-dependent increase in ROS levels was observed in the parental strain treated with different trichothecenes, but not in a petite version of the parental strain or in the presence of a mitochondrial membrane uncoupler, indicating that mitochondria are the main site of ROS production due to toxin exposure. Cytotoxicity of trichothecenes was alleviated after treatment of the parental strain and highly sensitive mutants with antioxidants, suggesting that oxidative stress contributes to trichothecene sensitivity. Cotreatment with rapamycin and trichothecenes reduced ROS levels and cytotoxicity in the parental strain relative to the trichothecene treatment alone, but not in mitophagy deficient mutants, suggesting that elimination of trichothecene-damaged mitochondria by mitophagy improves cell survival. These results reveal that increased mitophagy is a cellular protection mechanism against trichothecene-induced mitochondrial oxidative stress and a potential target for trichothecene resistance.
Synthesis of Analogues of Congo Red and Evaluation of Their Anti-Prion Activity (2004)

No cure as of yet exists for any of the transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. In this paper, we describe the synthesis of analogues of Congo red and evaluation against a cellular model of infection, the SMB (scrapie mouse brain) persistently infected cell line, for their ability to inhibit the infectivity of the abnormal form of prion protein (PrP-res). The compounds have also been tested for their ability to inhibit the polymerization of PrPC by PrP-res. A number of analogues showed inhibition of PrP-res infectivity at nanomolar concentrations. Several analogues show promise; the most active compound, 2a, inhibits the formation of PrP-res in SMB cells with an EC50 of 25-50 nM.
Optimal dosage of cyclopentolate 1% for cycloplegic refraction in hypermetropes with brown irides (2011)

To find the optimal dosage of cyclopentolate 1% for cycloplegic refraction in hypermetropes with brown irides, we investigated the difference in cycloplegic auto-refractions obtained after one, two, and three instillations in the same patient. The mean hypermetropia found after three instillations was statistically significantly more compared to that found after one instillation. There was no statistically significant difference in the mean hypermetropia between two and three instillations. There was no significant effect of gender, age, and the presence and type of horizontal deviation. These observations suggest that two drops of cyclopentolate 1% 10 min apart are sufficient for cycloplegic refraction in hypermetropes.
The Garlic project (1996)

The goal of the Garlic [1] project is to build a multimedia information system capable of integrating data that resides in different database systems as well as in a variety of non-database data servers. This integration must be enabled while maintaining the independence of the data servers, and without creating copies of their data. "Multimedia" should be interpreted broadly to mean not only images, video, and audio, but also text and application specific data types (e.g., CAD drawings, medical objects, &hellip;). Since much of this data is naturally modeled by objects, Garlic provides an object-oriented schema to applications, interprets object queries, creates execution plans for sending pieces of queries to the appropriate data servers, and assembles query results for delivery back to the applications. A significant focus of the project is support for "intelligent" data servers, i.e., servers that provide media-specific indexing and query capabilities [2]. Database optimization technology is being extended to deal with heterogeneous collections of data servers so that efficient data access plans can be employed for multi-repository queries.A prototype of the Garlic system has been operational since January 1995. Queries are expressed in an SQL-like query language that has been extended to include object-oriented features such as reference-valued attributes and nested sets. In addition to a C++ API, Garlic supports a novel query/browser interface called PESTO [3]. This component of Garlic provides end users of the system with a friendly, graphical interface that supports interactive browsing, navigation, and querying of the contents of Garlic databases. Unlike existing interfaces to databases, PESTO allows users to move back and forth seamlessly between querying and browsing activities, using queries to identify interesting subsets of the database, browsing the subset, querying the content of a set-valued attribute of a particularly interesting object in the subset, and so on.
An Evaluation of the Quantitative and Radiation Features of a Scanning X-Ray Transverse Axial Tomograph: The EMI Scanner (1974)

Evaluation of the EMI Scanner, an x-ray transverse axial tomograph, has shown that the unit provides numerical values which are linearly related to the 73 keV attenuation coefficient values with an agreement of better than one half of one per cent. Precision of these determinations has also been shown to be 0.5%. Independence of spatial location and accurate resolution of objects as small as 6 mm have been demonstrated. An adjacency effect at a bone-brain matter interface was measured. Radiation exposures arc comparable to those received in many diagnostic roentgenologic procedures.
Preventing rapid platelet accumulation under very high shear stress (2012)

Atherosclerosis is a major cause of mortality in industrialized nations. Atherosclerosis is characterized by plaque deposition which decreases the lumen diameter into a stenosis. The creation of a restriction increases shear rates pathologic levels exceeding 3,500/s. Following plaque cap rupture, thrombus may form from the accumulation of millions of platelets, occluding the vessel, leading to heart attack and stroke. Studies of high shear thrombosis show that platelet activation, GPIIb/IIIa and vWF are involved. However, some recent studies also suggest that high shear aggregation is not dependent on activation or GPIIb/IIIa. Several antiplatelet pharmaceuticals against activation\nand GPIIb/IIIa have been proposed, but their efficacy in patients remains mixed. The overall\nobjective of this project is to determine the factors necessary for thrombosis to occlusion in very high shear regions seen in diseased arteries. Our central hypotheses are that platelet activation and the subsequent conformational change in GPIIb/IIIa are\nnecessary for thrombosis, and that higher concentrations of vWF in the plasma will\nincrease thrombosis.\nTo this end, we developed a new high shear hemodynamic model utilizing 30mLs of whole blood and quantified thrombus thickness, volume accumulation and accumulation rates. We demonstrate that thrombosis to occlusion stems from a second phase of Rapid Platelet Accumulation (RPA). Thrombus accumulation is completely prevented by PGE1 inhibition of platelet activation. Similarly, GPIIb/IIIa blockade via abciximab prevented significant thrombus deposition and RPA. We also found that\nincreasing plasma vWF levels in high shear regions increased thrombus thickness and\nsuggestively increased RPA rates. The results clarify the need for activation of mural\nplatelets for long term thrombus accumulation without the activation of circulating platelets.
A survey of lactic acid bacteria for enzymes of interest to oenology (2006)

Isolates from wine-associated genera of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), including Lactobacillus, Oenococcus and Pediococcus, were examined for enzymatic properties that could be of value in the production and processing of wine. Up to 438 combinations of bacterial isolates and substrates were examined. Across the 50 isolates investigated, all were found to hydrolyse esters, with the greatest activity being seen amongst the oenococci followed by the lactobacilli and pediococci. Lipase activity was restricted to three Lactobacillus isolates, while all tested isolates displayed tannase activity. Cellulase, -glucanase and lichenase activities were observed for almost all Pediococcus and Lactobacillus isolates, while such activities were seen for only a minority of oenococci. No degradation of the xylan substrate was detected. Once confirmed under winelike conditions, our findings will help define potentially interesting genera of LAB for winemaking.
Genetic complexity of absence seizures in substrains of C3H mice (2008)

Absence epilepsy is a common form of idiopathic generalized epilepsy whose etiology is poorly understood because of genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity. The inbred mouse strain C3H/He exhibits spontaneous absence seizures characterized by spike and wave discharges (SWD) on the electroencephalogram concomitant with behavioral arrest. Previous studies using the C3H/HeJ (HeJ) substrain identified a mutation in the Gria4 gene as a major susceptibility locus. In the present study, we found that two closely related substrains C3H/HeOuJ (OuJ) and C3H/HeSnJ, which have a similar SWD incidence as HeJ, do not contain the Gria4 mutation. Further analysis of backcross mice segregating OuJ and C57BL/6J alleles shows that, unlike the HeJ substrain, OuJ does not have a major locus for SWD but has suggestive loci at best that would explain only a fraction of the phenotypic variance. These results illustrate how the genetic etiology of a common neurological disorder can differ between substrains with similar phenotypes. We infer that all C3H strains are sensitized to SWD and that additional mutations affecting SWD arose or were fixed independently in the years since the substrains diverged.
[The circular regarding the organization of care in cancerology of February 22, 2005]. (2005)

Auteur(s) : Therese Bouchez Medecin coordonnateur du reseau de cancerologie Concorde, 162 avenue Lacassagne, 69003 Lyon.  Ce 22 fevrier, la DHOS publiait une circulaire (n° DHOS/SDO/2005/10) relative a l’organisation des soins en cancerologie, tres attendue par de nombreux acteurs de la cancerologie puisqu’elle precise leurs champs d’action et leurs responsabilites en conformite avec le Plan Cancer.  En introduction de [...]
Frequent Genetic Aberrations in the CDK4 Pathway in Acral Melanoma Indicate the Potential for CDK4/6 Inhibitors in Targeted Therapy (2017)

<b>Purpose:</b> Effective therapies for the majority of metastatic acral melanoma patients have not been established. Thus, we investigated genetic aberrations of CDK4 pathway in acral melanoma and evaluated the efficacy of CDK4/6 inhibitors in targeted therapy of acral melanoma.<b>Experimental Design:</b> A total of 514 primary acral melanoma samples were examined for the copy number variations (CNV) of CDK4 pathway-related genes, including <i>Cdk4, Ccnd1</i>, and <i>P16<sup>INK4a</sup></i> , by QuantiGenePlex DNA Assay. The sensitivity of established acral melanoma cell lines and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) containing typical CDK4 aberrations to CDK4/6 inhibitors was evaluated.<b>Results:</b> Among the 514 samples, 203 cases, 137 cases, and 310 cases, respectively, showed <i>Cdk4</i> gain (39.5%), <i>Ccnd1</i> gain (26.7%), and <i>P16<sup>INK4a</sup></i> loss (60.3%). The overall frequency of acral melanomas that contain at least one aberration in <i>Cdk4, Ccnd1</i>, and <i>P16<sup>INK4a</sup></i> was 82.7%. The median overall survival time for acral melanoma patients with concurrent <i>Cdk4</i> gain with <i>P16<sup>INK4a</sup></i> loss was significantly shorter than that for patients without such aberrations (<i>P</i> = 0.005). The pan-CDK inhibitor AT7519 and selective CDK4/6 inhibitor PD0332991 could inhibit the cell viability of acral melanoma cells and the tumor growth of PDX with <i>Cdk4</i> gain plus <i>Ccnd1</i> gain, <i>Cdk4</i> gain plus <i>P16<sup>INK4a</sup></i> loss, and <i>Ccnd1</i> gain plus <i>P16<sup>INK4a</sup></i> loss.<b>Conclusions:</b> Genetic aberration of CDK4 pathway is a frequent event in acral melanoma. Acral melanoma cell lines and PDX containing CDK4 pathway aberrations are sensitive to CDK4/6 inhibitors. Our study provides evidence for the testing of CDK4/6 inhibitors in acral melanoma patients. <i>Clin Cancer Res; 23(22); 6946-57. ©2017 AACR</i>.
The Current Condition and Tendency of Teaching Sociology in Japan (1996)

In the Japanese university, much attention has been focused recently on the reorganization of liberal arts, curriculum, postgraduate courses and so on. This work examines the recent changes in Japanese teaching of sociology. A committee in the Japan Sociological Society surveyed to find out how the Japanese teaching of sociology is groping for a new direction through the process of trial-and-error in coping with above-mentioned impact and in response to the reorganization.For example, according to data from our survey for the teaching of sociology conducted between 1993 and 1994, : 1. The main contents of reorganization in 138 faculties were self-assessment (81.2%), improvement of contents and methods of education (78.3%), reform of curriculum (66.7%), and reorganization of the institution (63.0%).2. The reform of curriculum will be emphasized from now on. 3. The percentage of the faculty which it was lecturing about social survey was 81.9 and those delivering practical courses in social survey was 64.5.4. The percentage of approval for setting up a license for a graduate who studied sociology was 31.2 and quasi approval was 34.8.5. The problems of postgraduate courses were due to shortage of the staff, deficiency of expenses for survey and deficiency of scholarship.6. The reorganization of liberal arts has had a great influence on sociology in Japan not only on the steps of liberal arts but also on the steps of the faculty and postgraduates.
Cellular-Phone and Hearing-Aid Interaction: An Antenna Solution (2008)

With the introduction of digital cellular phones, hearing-aid users have experienced a severe buzzing noise caused by the interaction between digital cellular phones and hearing aids. The cellular-phone industry, the hearing-aid industry, and consumers have been seeking a solution for the interference issue. Efforts reported in the literature have focused on measurements, modeling, and evaluation of interference and RF emission, but not on methods to solve the problem. In this paper, we focus on the causes of the interference and an understanding of the problem. We also present a method to reduce near-field electromagnetic energy around a cellular phone, mitigating the interference between cellular phones and hearing aids. The theoretical investigation of both the radiation mechanisms and fundamental limits on antennas suggested that a low-g antenna, such as an ultra-wideband antenna, could reduce the near-field intensity. Simulations and measurements were performed at 900 and 1880 MHz, using both low- and high-Q test antennas mounted on a mock cellular phone. The results showed that the peak electric and magnetic near-field strengths of the low-g test antenna were lower than those of a high-Q test antenna by at least 5 dBV/m and 4 dBA/m, respectively. The improvement in the near-field performance for the low-g antenna was without any sacrifice in far-field performance. Furthermore, in the presence of a human head, the simulation results showed that the radiation efficiency of the low-Q test antenna was better than that of the high-Q test antenna.
An improved algorithm for rotational motion artifact suppression in MRI (1998)

An improved algorithm for planar rotational motion artifact suppression in standard two-dimensional Fourier transform magnetic resonance images is presented. It is shown that interpolation of acquired view data on the uncorrupted k-space create data overlap and void regions. We present a method of managing overlap data regions, using weighted averaging of redundant data. The weights are assigned according to a priority ranking based on the minimum distance between the data set and the k-space grid points. An iterative estimation technique for filling the data void regions, using projections onto convex sets (POCS), is also described. The method has been successfully tested using computer simulations.
Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) assay for the detection of mitochondrial DNA deletion in chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia (CPEO). (2011)

Chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia (CPEO) is a mitochondrial myopathy commonly caused by deleterious changes in the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). We describe a 45-year-old man who was referred to us for investigation of progressive ptosis. We performed a multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) assay of mtDNA from muscle tissue and peripheral blood leukocytes, and followed up with gap-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and direct sequence analysis. Results showed a deletion of a 4,407 bp segment in the mtDNA region, ranging from nucleotide position 8,577 in the MT-ATP6 gene to nucleotide position 12,983 in the MT-ND5 gene. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a CPEO patient with a large novel deletion of mtDNA genetically confirmed by MLPA assay. MLPA can be a feasible platform for clinical laboratories to detect large deletion mutations in the mtDNA for suspected cases.
A study of package cracking during the reflow soldering process. (1989)

Recently, the plastic packages of ICs have been changing from insertion types to surface mounted types. Reflow soldering is used for surface mounted ICs onto printed circuit boards. During the process, packages are heated up above 200'C. If the encapsulant absorbs moisture, package cracking may occur during the reflow soldering. It is known that the cracks are caused by vapor pressure generated inside the packages which causes excessive stress in the plastic. A quantitative explanation of the mechanism of this phenomenon, however, has not been made. In this study, a moisture diffusion analysis in the plastic and deformation and stress analyses of the packages are performed. Also, the properties of the plastic at high temperature are measured and the strength evaluation method is investigated. It is found that the vapor pressure generated inside the package is lower than the saturated vapor pressure and depends on the moisture content distribution of the plastic.
A control-structure splitting optimization for GPGPU (2009)

Control statements in a GPU program such as loops and branches pose serious challenges for the efficient usage of GPU resources because those control statements will lead to the serialization of threads and consequently ruin the occupancy of GPU, that is, the number of threads running concurrently. Unlike traditional vector processing units that are inside a general purpose processor, the GPU cannot leave the control statements to the CPU because fine-grain statement scheduling between GPU and CPU is impossible. We need an effective method to handle the control statements "just in place" on the GPUs.
A New Opto-Mechanical Effect in Solids (2001)

We propose that large, reversible shape changes in solids, of between 10%-400%, can be induced optically by photoisomerizing monodomain nematic elastomers. Empirical and molecular analysis of shape change and its relation to thermal effects is given along with a simple model of the dynamics of response. Our experiments demonstrate these effects for the first time and theory is compared qualitatively with our results.
Familial Euthyroid Hyperthyroxinemia Resulting from Increased Thyroxine Binding to Thyroxine-Binding Prealbumin (1982)

MORE than 99 per cent of the thyroxine (T4) in blood is normally bound to specific plasma T4-binding proteins, including T4-binding globulin (TBG), T4-binding prealbumin (TBPA), and albumin.1 However, it is generally agreed that the concentration of unbound or free T4 determines the level of biologically available T4. A free T4 index, which is calculated by multiplying the total serum T4 by the 3,5,3′-triiodothyronine (T3) resin uptake (an assessment of available TBG binding sites for T4 in serum), usually reflects biologically available T4 . . .
Deletion of the <i>Escherichia coli crp</i> Gene (1975)

Spontaneous crp mutants Escherichia coli were selected from a strain that does not require 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate for CAP activity. Several deletions of the crp gene were characterized. The crp gene was not essential for growth of E. coli. crp mutations reduced the donor ability of Hfr strains.