gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Polymeric solid-state dye lasers: Recent developments (2003)

An up-to-date overview of the results obtained by our group on the development of polymeric solid-state dye lasers based on dipyrromethene·BF2 complexes is presented. It is shown that appropriate chemical modifications in the dye molecules can yield dyes that lase efficiently and with remarkable photostability when properly incorporated into adequate polymeric matrices. Our results compare favourably with those reported by other authors with the dyes incorporated into organic materials and open the way to the development of solid-state dye lasers competitive with their liquid counterparts.
Structure and action of saikosaponins isolated from Bupleurum falcatum L. II. Metabolic actions of saikosaponins, especially a plasma cholesterol-lowering action. (1975)

Several metabolic actions of saikosaponins isolated from the root of Bupleurum falcatum L. were examined using albino rats. Hepatic protein synthesis from leucine-14C(U) was enhanced. Glycogen content in the liver was increased, but oxidation of glucose-14C(U) in the liver was not changed. Elevation of plasma levels of cholesterol, triglycerides and p-ospholipids by cholesterol feeding was reduced. Although hepatic lipogenesis and cholesterogenesis from acetate-1-14C of glucose-14C(U) were stimulated, the elimination of i.p. injected cholesterol-4-14C from plasma was acclerated. Fecal excretion of i.p. injected cholesterol-4-14C, expressed as total-14C including bile acids-14C and neutral sterols-14C, was increased. Among the saikosaponins isolated from Bupleurum falcatum L., saikosaponins a and d, but not c, had metabolic actions as well as anti-inflammatory action. These metabolic actions and anti-inflammatory action of saikosaponins may confirm the clinical application of Bupleurum falcatum L, which has been widely used in the prescriptions of the oriental medicine, and may suggest possible mechanisms for the actions of its active principles.
Synthetic Hammerhead Ribozymes as Tools in Gene Expression (2001)

The assessment of genetic controls for sequential developmental processes such as tooth formation and biomineralization is often difficult in transgenic "knockout" models, where phenotypes reflect only the permanent eradication of a gene, and reveal little about the dynamic range of expression for the gene(s) involved. One promising strategy to overcome this problem is through the use of ribozymes, a class of metalloenzymes made entirely of ribonucleic acid (RNA), that are capable of cleaving other RNA molecules in a catalytic fashion. Their activity can be targeted against specific mRNAs by selection of unique sequences flanking a conserved catalytic motif. In synthetic ribozymes, specificity, stability, and cell permeability can be dramatically improved by the incorporation of chemically modified ribonucleotides. This review focuses on the design and application of hammerhead ribozymes, the best-known and most widely used class of RNA-based enzymes. So far, except for a few conserved structures at the catalytic core, no one particular model or superior ribozyme design has been identified. It may well be that each cell, tissue, and organism has different requirements for the uptake, activity, and stability of hammerhead ribozymes. However, designed ribozymes can be highly effective agents for timed and localized elimination of gene products. As the 3D structures of active hammerhead molecules are revealed, more effective ribozymes will be developed. Today, developments in ribozyme-mediated sequence-specific blocking of gene expression hold great promise for active RNA enzymes as tools in biomolecular research and for eliminating unwanted gene expression in human diseases.
Simple application of the envelope-function approximation for photonic crystals (1998)

A useful technique is presented for calculating the approximate behavior of electromagnetic wavepackets in a periodic dielectric medium. The technique produces an operator equation which describes the time evolution of the envelope of the wave packet. The operator equation is shown to be equivalent to the Helmholtz equation in linear, isotropic, homogeneous media and to a Schr\"odinger-like equation in a photonic band-gap material. A reflection experiment is used to demonstrate the technique. In this experiment, a photonic-crystal cavity is excited at a frequency above its band edge. It is found that the reflection coefficient has Fabry-Perot-like resonances which increase with the square of the frequency. Both the frequency and curvature of the band edge are accurately predicted by fitting the envelope-function theory to the reflection data.
Chronic Pyruvate Supplementation Increases Exploratory Activity and Brain Energy Reserves in Young and Middle-Aged Mice (2016)

Numerous studies have reported neuroprotective effects of pyruvate when given in systemic injections. Impaired glucose uptake and metabolism are found in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and in AD mouse models. We tested whether dietary pyruvate supplementation is able to provide added energy supply to brain and thereby attenuate aging- or AD-related cognitive impairment. Mice received ~800 mg/kg/day Na-pyruvate in their chow for 2-6 months. In middle-aged wild-type mice and in 6.5-month-old APP/PS1 mice, pyruvate facilitated spatial learning and increased exploration of a novel odor. However, in passive avoidance task for fear memory, the treatment group was clearly impaired. Independent of age, long-term pyruvate increased explorative behavior, which likely explains the paradoxical impairment in passive avoidance. We also assessed pyruvate effects on body weight, muscle force, and endurance, and found no effects. Metabolic postmortem assays revealed increased energy compounds in nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy as well as increased brain glycogen storages in the pyruvate group. Pyruvate supplementation may counteract aging-related behavioral impairment, but its beneficial effect seems related to increased explorative activity rather than direct memory enhancement.
Retinal Imaging and Image Analysis (2010)

Many important eye diseases as well as systemic diseases manifest themselves in the retina. While a number of other anatomical structures contribute to the process of vision, this review focuses on retinal imaging and image analysis. Following a brief overview of the most prevalent causes of blindness in the industrialized world that includes age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma, the review is devoted to retinal imaging and image analysis methods and their clinical implications. Methods for 2-D fundus imaging and techniques for 3-D optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging are reviewed. Special attention is given to quantitative techniques for analysis of fundus photographs with a focus on clinically relevant assessment of retinal vasculature, identification of retinal lesions, assessment of optic nerve head (ONH) shape, building retinal atlases, and to automated methods for population screening for retinal diseases. A separate section is devoted to 3-D analysis of OCT images, describing methods for segmentation and analysis of retinal layers, retinal vasculature, and 2-D/3-D detection of symptomatic exudate-associated derangements, as well as to OCT-based analysis of ONH morphology and shape. Throughout the paper, aspects of image acquisition, image analysis, and clinical relevance are treated together considering their mutually interlinked relationships.
New calibration method for large aerial arrays (1965)

A method for adjusting large multielement, aerial arrays is described. Calibrating signals are transmitted to the array elements in each direction in turn along a ring transmission line. With this procedure, gain and phase shift can be compared between elements without determining the length or attenuation of the calibration-signal feeder.
Heterocycles in asymmetric synthesis. Part 1. Construction of the chiral building blocks for enantioselective alkaloid synthesis via an asymmetric intramolecular Michael reaction (1992)

The asymmetric intramolecular Michael reaction of acyclic compounds ethyl (E)-4-[benzyl-(3-oxobutyl)amino]but-2-enoate 9, and ethyl (E)-5-[benzyl-(3-oxobutyl)amino]pent-2-enoate 10 was investigated under a variety of conditions, and the pyrrolidine ethyl (4-acetyl-1-benzylpyrrolidin-3-yl)acetate 11 and piperidine ethyl (3-acetyl-1-benzylpiperidin-4-yl)acetate 12, versatile chiral building blocks for alkaloid synthesis, were obtained in moderato to excellent optical yield. Cyclization of the aforementioned but- and pent-2-enoate using (R)-1-phenylethylamine in THF in the presence of molecular sieves 5 Å gave tha (+)-pyrrolidine derivative (+)-11 and the (–)-piperidine dsrivative (–)-12 in 60 and 90% ee., respectively. When (S)-1-phenylethylamine was used, pyrrolidine (–)-11 and piperidine derivatives (+)-12 Were obtained in similar optical yields, respectively. The ee of (–)-and (+)-piperidine derivatives increased up to 98% upon recrystallization of their hydrobromide salts.
Grazing angle optical emission interferometry for end-point detection (1991)

Light emitted from a plasma during reactive ion etching and reflected by the wafer surface at a grazing angle is utilized to determine the remaining film thickness with an accuracy of ±30 Å. This promises a more flexible etching approach, e.g., tailoring the final stage of etching to minimize lattice damage.
Chromosomal replicases as asymmetric dimers: studies of subunit arrangement and functional consequences (2003)

Studies of the DNA polymerase III holoenzyme of Escherichia coli support a model in which both the leading and lagging strand polymerases are held together in a complex with the replicative helicase and priming activities, allowing two identical alpha catalytic subunits to assume different functions on the two strands of the replication fork. Creation of distinct functions for each of the two polymerases within the holoenzyme depends on the asymmetric character of the entire complex. The asymmetry of the holoenzyme is created by the DnaX complex, a heptamer that includes tau and gamma products of the dnaX gene. tau and gamma perform unique functions in the DnaX complex, and the interaction between alpha and tau appears to dictate the catalytic subunit's role in the replicative reaction. This review considers the properties of the DnaX complex including both tau and gamma, with the goal of understanding the properties of the replicase and its function in vivo. Recent studies in eukaryotic and other prokaryotic systems suggest that an asymmetric dimeric replicase may be universal. The leading and lagging strand polymerases may be distinct in some systems. For example, Pol e and Pol delta may function as distinct leading and lagging strand polymerases in eukaryotes, and PolC and DnaE may function as distinct leading and lagging strand polymerases in low GC content Gram-positive bacteria.
Blood Pressure Lowering and Safety Improvements With Liver Angiotensinogen Inhibition in Models of Hypertension and Kidney Injury (2017)

Uncontrolled hypertension is an important contributor to cardiovascular disease. Despite the armamentarium of antihypertensive treatments, there remains a need for novel agents effective in individuals who cannot reach acceptable blood pressure levels. Inhibitors targeting the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) are widely used but may not optimally inhibit RAAS and demonstrate an acceptable safety profile. Experiments were conducted to characterize a series of AGT (angiotensinogen) antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) and compare their efficacy and tolerability to traditional RAAS blockade. AGT ASOs which target multiple systemic sites of AGT versus an N-acetylgalactosamine-conjugated AGT ASO that targets the liver were compared with captopril and losartan. Spontaneously hypertensive rats fed an 8% NaCl diet, a model of malignant hypertension resistant to standard RAAS inhibitors, demonstrated robust and durable blood pressure reductions with AGT ASO treatments, which was not observed with standard RAAS blockade. Studies in rat models of acute kidney injury produced by salt deprivation revealed kidney injury with ASO treatment that reduced kidney-expressed AGT, but not in animals treated with the N-acetylgalactosamine AGT ASO despite comparable plasma AGT reductions. Administration of either captopril or losartan also produced acute kidney injury during salt deprivation. Thus, intrarenal RAAS derived from kidney AGT, and inhibited by the standard of care, contributes to the maintenance of renal function during severe RAAS challenge. Such improvements in efficacy and tolerability by a liver-selective AGT inhibitor could be desirable in individuals not at their blood pressure goal with existing RAAS blockade.
Analysis of Data Compression in the DLT2000 Tape Drive (1994)

The DLT2000 magnetic tape drive is a state-of-the-art storage product with a 1.25M-byte-per-second data throughput rate and a 10G-byte capacity, without data compression. To increase data capacity and throughput rates, the DLT2000 implements a variant of the Lempel-Ziv (LZ) data compression algorithm. An LZ method was chosen over other methods, specifically over the Improved Data Recording Capability (IDRC) algorithm, after performance studies showed that the LZ implementation has superior data throughput rates for typical data, as well as superior capacity. This paper outlines the two designs, presents the methodology and the results of the performance testing, and analyzes why the LZ implementation is faster, when the IDRC hardware implementation had twice the bandwidth and was expected to have faster throughput rates.
Identifying Counselor Competencies for Working with Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Clients (2003)

ABSTRACT This study used a modified Delphi technique to identify knowledge, attitude, and skill components of counselor competence with lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) clients. Twenty-two expert panelists identified 274 areas of knowledge, 120 attitudes, and 146 skills necessary to work effectively with LGB clients. These items were classified into 31 knowledge, 23 attitude, and 31 skill categories by the research team. Thirty-two expert panelists rated the categories based on importance for counselor competence with LGB clients. Based on experts' responses, titles of several categories were adjusted and three new categories were proposed. The implications of the findings for training and assessment are discussed.
Rapid Covalent Fluorescence Labeling of Membrane Proteins on Live Cells via Coiled-Coil Templated Acyl Transfer (2015)

Fluorescently labeled proteins enable the microscopic imaging of protein localization and function in live cells. In labeling reactions targeted against specific tag sequences, the size of the fluorophore-tag is of major concern. The tag should be small to prevent interference with protein function. Furthermore, rapid and covalent labeling methods are desired to enable the analysis of fast biological processes. Herein, we describe the development of a method in which the formation of a parallel coiled coil triggers the transfer of a fluorescence dye from a thioester-linked coil peptide conjugate onto a cysteine-modified coil peptide. This labeling method requires only small tag sequences (max 23 aa) and occurs with high tag specificity. We show that size matching of the coil peptides and a suitable thioester reactivity allow the acyl transfer reaction to proceed within minutes (rather than hours). We demonstrate the versatility of this method by applying it to the labeling of different G-protein coupled membrane receptors including the human neuropeptide Y receptors 1, 2, 4, 5, the neuropeptide FF receptors 1 and 2, and the dopamine receptor 1. The labeled receptors are fully functional and able to bind the respective ligand with high affinity. Activity is not impaired as demonstrated by activation, internalization, and recycling experiments.
Population pharmacokinetics of weekly docetaxel in patients with advanced cancer (2003)

A population pharmacokinetic model has been developed and validated for weekly docetaxel (40 mg m(-2)) in patients with advanced cancer. These results indicate that CYP3A4 activity and hepatic function have an impact on the pharmacokinetics of docetaxel when administered weekly.
Disulfide-Immunogenicity Relationship of Botulinal Toxins (1974)

Highly purified Clostridium botulinum types A and E (progenitor and trypsin-activated) toxins of mol wt 150,000 were treated with dithiothreitol, a disulfide-reducing agent. These reduced toxins and respective control (untreated) toxins were converted into toxoids with formalin and homogenized with complete Freund adjuvant. Guinea pigs immunized with control toxoids developed high resistance to challenge of homologous type of toxin; those immunized with toxoids of reduced toxins developed markedly lower immunity. Type A and E botulinal toxins have at least one disulfide bond whose integrity is important for these proteins to be effective immunizing agents.
<i>P</i><sub>0</sub>‐<i>Cre</i> Transgenic Mice for Inactivation of Adhesion Molecules in Schwann Cells (1999)

Normal peripheral nerve myelination depends on Schwann cell-basal lamina interactions. An important component of Schwann cell basal lamina is laminin-predominantly laminins 2 and 4. Mutations in the alpha 2 chain common to these two isoforms are associated with dysmyelination in mouse (dy) and man (congenital muscular dystrophy). Thus, laminin 2 and 4 receptors are also likely to be important for myelin formation. Several laminin 2/4 receptors are detected at the basal lamina surface of myelin-forming Schwann cells, namely, α6β4 and α6β1 integrins and dystroglycan. The evidence linking these receptors to myelination is suggestive, but not conclusive. Genetic studies have not yet confirmed a role for these molecules in myelin formation. Natural or targeted inactivation of α6, β4, and β1 integrins and of dystroglycan have profound effects on other tissues causing embryonic or perinatal death before myelination. Therefore, to conditionally inactivate these receptors specifically in myelin-forming Schwann cells, we have constructed and initially characterized a P<sub>0</sub>-Cre transgene that activates Cre-mediated recombination of loxP-containing genes in peripheral nerve.
Evaluating reproducibility and similarity of mass and intensity data in complex spectra—applications to tubulin (2007)

We present a data processing approach based on the spectral dot product for evaluating spectral similarity and reproducibility. The method introduces 95% confidence intervals on the spectral dot product to evaluate the strength of spectral correlation; it is the only calculation described to date that accounts for both the non-normal sampling distribution of the dot product and the number of peaks the spectra have in common. These measures of spectral similarity allow for the recursive generation of a consensus spectrum, which incorporates the most consistent features from statistically similar replicate spectra. Taking the spectral dot product and 95% confidence intervals between consensus spectra from different samples yields the similarity between these samples. Applying the data analysis scheme to replicates of brain tubulin CNBr peptides enables a robust comparison of tubulin isotype expression and post-translational modification patterns in rat and cow brains.
Development of a One-Trip ECP Cement Inflation and Stage Cementing System for Open Hole Completions (1998)

Abstract Drilling of horizontal wells continues to increase worldwide. A significant number of these wells are completed with either screen or slotted pipe across the production intervals. Many of these completions require some form of annular isolation to separate different geological zones and to isolate the upper wellbore. As a result, open hole completions are becoming more sophisticated, requiring a systems approach during the installation phase of the operation. Operators are also requiring that these completions be installed with the fewest drill pipe trips as possible to save time and reduce costs. The new integrated system described in this paper allows the production liner to be run into the wellbore and a liner top hanger system set, multiple external casing packers (ECPs) selectively cement inflated at target locations to provide zonal isolation and then the radius section of the production liner cemented to provide isolation between the liner and upper casing string. Using a newly designed hydraulically-operated cementing valve positioned in the liner above the uppermost ECP, the build section of the liner can be cemented after all the ECPs have been inflated. Using a workstring inside the liner in conjunction with a selective ECP inflation tool, cement can be displaced down the workstring, through the cementing valve, and out into the annulus. This new open hole completion method has been demonstrated to significantly reduce rig time during the installation phase, and provide the annular zonal isolation required by operators. The system also leaves the production liner free of cement, making subsequent cleanout runs unnecessary. P. 473
Efficient code caching to improve performance and energy consumption for java applications (2008)

Java applications rely on Just-In-Time (JIT) compilers or adaptive compilers to generate and optimize binary code at runtime to boost performance. In conventional Java Virtual Machines (JVM), however, the binary code is typically written into the data cache, and then is loaded into the instruction cache through the shared L2 cache or memory, which is not efficient in terms of both time and energy. In this paper, we study three hardware-based code caching strategies to write and read the dynamically generated code faster and more energy-efficiently. Our experimental results indicate that writing code directly into the instruction cache can improve the performance of a variety of Java applications by 9.6% on average, and up to 42.9%. Also, the overall energy dissipation of these Java programs can be reduced by 6% on average.
Synthesis and Study of and Controlled Release from Nanoparticles and Their Networks Based on Functionalized Hydroxypropylcellulose (2003)

The structure of hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC) was modified by covalently attaching either vinyl groups linked by degradable esters or methacrylate groups. The vinyl groups allowed for chemical linking of the HPC chains into nanoparticles through a free radical polymerization process above its low critical solution temperature. The HPC nanoparticles with degradable moieties in aqueous solution were monitored using dynamic light scattering technique as a function of time. The degradation rate increased at either low or high pH values. Residual, un-cross-linked vinyl groups on the surface of the nanoparticles were further linked together, forming a network of nanoparticles. The controlled release of biomolecules from this network was correlated with the primary structure that comprised cross-linked polymer chains in each individual particle and the secondary structure that was a system of cross-linked nanoparticles.
Implications of Double-Layer Emersion (1988)

The intimate relationship between double layer emersion and parameters fundamental to electrochemical interfaces is shown. The surface dipole layer (χS) of 80% sat. KCl electrolyte is measured as the difference in outer potentials of an emersed oxide-coated Au electrode and the electrolyte. The value of +0.050 V compares favorably with previous determinations of χS. Emersion of Au is discussed in terms of UHV work function measurements and the relationship between emersed electrodes and absolute half-cell potentials. Results show that either the accepted work function value of Hg in N2 is off by 0.4 eV, or the dipole contribution to the double layer (perhaps the "jellium" surface dipole layer of noble metal electrodes) changes by 0.4 V between solution and UHV.