gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Loss of c-myc repression coincides with ovarian cancer resistance to transforming growth factor beta growth arrest independent of transforming growth factor beta/Smad signaling. (2003)

Many epithelial carcinomas, including ovarian, are refractory to the antiproliferative effects of transforming growth factor (TGF) beta. In some cancers, TGF-beta resistance has been linked to TGF-beta receptor II (TbetaR-II) and Smad4 mutations; however, in ovarian cancer, the mechanism of resistance remains unclear. Primary ovarian epithelial cell cultures were used as a model system to determine the mechanisms of TGF-beta resistance. To simulate in vivo responses to TGF-beta, primary cultures derived from normal human ovarian surface epithelium (HOSE) and from ovarian carcinomas (CSOC) were grown on collagen I gel, the predominant matrix molecule in the ovarian tumor milieu. When treated with 5 ng/ml TGF-beta for 72 h, HOSE (n = 11) proliferation was inhibited by 20 +/- 21% on average. In contrast, CSOC (n = 10) proliferation was stimulated 5 +/- 10% in response to TGF-beta (a statistically significant difference in response when compared with HOSE; P = 0.001). To dissect the TGF-beta/Smad signaling pathway we used a quantitative RNase protection assay (RPA) for measuring mRNA levels of TGF-beta pathway components in 20 HOSE and 20 CSOC cultures. Basal mRNA levels of TGF-beta receptors I and II, downstream signaling components Smad2, 3, 4, 6, 7, and the transcriptional corepressors Ski and SnoN did not show a statistically significant difference between HOSE and CSOC, and cannot explain their differential susceptibility to TGF-beta-induced cell cycle arrest. To assess functional differences of the TGF-beta pathway in TGF-beta-sensitive HOSE and TGF-beta-resistant CSOC, we measured Smad2/4 and 3/4 complex induction after TGF-beta treatment. HOSE and CSOC showed equivalent Smad2/4 and 3/4 complex induction after TGF-beta exposure for 0, 0.5, 2, and 4 h. It has been proposed that SnoN and Ski are corepressors of the TGF-beta/Smad pathway and undergo TGF-beta-induced degradation followed by reinduction of SnoN mRNA. However, our data show equivalent SnoN degradation in HOSE and CSOC, and equivalent SnoN mRNA induction after TGF-beta treatment. Surprising, TGF-beta-induced Ski degradation was not observed in HOSE or CSOC, suggesting that Ski may not function as a TGF-beta/Smad corepressor in ovarian epithelial cells. These data implied that the TGF-beta/Smad pathway remains functional in CSOC, although CSOC cells are resistant to antimitogenic TGF-beta effects. CSOC resistance to TGF-beta coincided with the loss of c-myc down-regulation. These data suggest that TGF-beta/Smad signaling is blocked downstream of Smad complex formation or that an alternate signaling pathway other than TGF-beta/Smad may transmit TGF-beta-induced cell cycle arrest in the ovarian epithelium.
Objective sensory testing methods reveal a higher prevalence of olfactory loss in COVID-19–positive patients compared to subjective methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis (2020)

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has currently infected over 6.5 million people worldwide. In response to the pandemic, numerous studies have tried to identify the causes and symptoms of the disease. Emerging evidence supports recently acquired anosmia (complete loss of smell) and hyposmia (partial loss of smell) as symptoms of COVID-19, but studies of olfactory dysfunction show a wide range of prevalence from 5% to 98%. We undertook a search of Pubmed/Medline and Google Scholar with the keywords "COVID-19," "smell," and/or "olfaction." We included any study that quantified smell loss (anosmia and hyposmia) as a symptom of COVID-19. Studies were grouped and compared based on the type of method used to measure smell loss-subjective measures, such as self-reported smell loss, versus objective measures using rated stimuli-to determine if prevalence differed by method type. For each study, 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated from point estimates of olfactory disturbances. We identified 34 articles quantifying anosmia as a symptom of COVID-19 (6 objective and 28 subjective), collected from cases identified from January 16 to April 30, 2020. The pooled prevalence estimate of smell loss was 77% when assessed through objective measurements (95% CI of 61.4-89.2%) and 44% with subjective measurements (95% CI of 32.2-57.0%). Objective measures are a more sensitive method to identify smell loss as a result of infection with SARS-CoV-2; the use of subjective measures, while expedient during the early stages of the pandemic, underestimates the true prevalence of smell loss.
Differential specificity of two insecticidal toxins from <i>Bacillus thuringiensis</i> var. aizawai (1988)

Bacillus thuringiensis var. aizawai HD-249 produces more than one protein of 130-135 kD in its insecticidal crystal delta-endotoxin. We describe an indirect method of assessing the relative contribution to toxicity of two of these protoxins using monospecific antibodies directed against their active proteolytic products. Our results show that one toxin is active against Spodoptera frugiperda but not Choristoneura fumiferana cells in vitro, while the other lyses C. fumiferana but not S. frugiperda cells. There is no indication of synergism between these toxins in vitro.
Customized Decimation and Multi-Fold Notch Filters Realized by DSP56309 (2008)

Magnetotelluric exploration method is a powerful tool in oil and gas exploration, crust and earthquake research. The corresponding instrument system need to record low noise data at sample rate 2400 Hz, 150 Hz and 15 Hz or other triple frequencies simultaneously. Multi-fold notch filter is also need to remove 50/60 Hz power line interference. Commercial decimation filter chip, such as CS5376A, can only output sample data at fixed rate at given time. To satisfy the requirement of data acquisition in magnetotelluric exploration, 24-bit DSP56309 chip is used in measurement system. It does two-channel multi-stage decimation filtering and multi-fold 50/60 Hz notch filtering for 1-bit bit-stream output from DeltaSigma modulator CS5372A, and output data from ESSI and SCI at sample rate 2400 Hz, 150 Hz and 15 Hz simultaneously to ARM based embedded system. The design, realization and testing of decimation and multi-fold 50/60 Hz notch filter are described in paper.
DB2 LOBs: the teenage years (2002)

Previous versions of DB2 Common Server had large objects (LOBs) that were neither large nor functional. Their size was limited to 32,700 bytes and, until recently when support for SUBSTR and CONCAT was added, there was no function available on these objects at all. DB2 LOBs were infants. However, with the latest release of DB2 Common Server, Version 2.1, LOBs have matured considerably supporting significantly larger sizes and many new language features. To give the reader a feeling for the extent of this new language support, we compare our new SQL LOB language features with that of three other major relational database competitors: Sybase, Informix and Oracle. Users will find the new DB2 LOBS easy to load and store, easy to search, and easy to integrate into the DB2 user-defined functions (UDFs) and user-defined types (UDTs). In addition, when used in serial mode, the performance of LOB I/O rivals that of file systems and, when used in parallel mode, is a clear winner. DB2 LOBs have now entered the teenage years.
Conversion of injected waste plastics in blast furnace (2015)

Operation of several blast furnaces proved that waste plastic (WP) injection makes recycling of industrial and municipal organic wastes and coke saving possible. However, the extent and reaction kinetics of plastic conversion are hardly explored yet. Therefore, a comprehensive study on WP characteristics and conversion behaviour under simulated raceway, bird's nest and shaft conditions, as well as on its interaction with coke, has been undertaken. Numerous analytical, laboratory and pilot facilities have been used. It has shown that despite favourable chemistry, it is hardly possible to reach a high conversion degree of plastics under the raceway conditions. Consumption of unburned residues in coke bed and in shaft is possible. The effect of this phenomenon on coke reactivity has to be considered as well.
Bioconversion Using Lactic Acid Bacteria: Ginsenosides, GABA, and Phenolic Compounds (2017)

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are used as fermentation starters in vegetable and dairy products and influence the pH and flavors of foods. For many centuries, LAB have been used to manufacture fermented foods; therefore, they are generally regarded as safe. LAB produce various substances, such as lactic acid, β-glucosidase, and β-galactosidase, making them useful as fermentation starters. Existing functional substances have been assessed as fermentation substrates for better component bioavailability or other functions. Representative materials that were bioconverted using LAB have been reported and include minor ginsenosides, γ-aminobutyric acid, equol, aglycones, bioactive isoflavones, genistein, and daidzein, among others. Fermentation mainly involves polyphenol and polysaccharide substrates and is conducted using bacterial strains such as <i>Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus plantarum,</i> and <i>Bifidobacterium</i> sp. In this review, we summarize recent studies of bioconversion using LAB and discuss future directions for this field.
Resignations of Directors after Rebar Crisis and Earnings Management (2011)

The purpose of this study is to examine whether the trend of resignations of directors immediately after the outbreak of the Rebar Group scandal is related with earnings management. The unusual large scale law enforcement action and pressure from the society for a severe punishment might have caused the directors to reassess the risks they should bear as directors. There-fore, the resignation may be an indication of abnormal financial conditions. The empirical evidence supports our hypothesis that the magnitude of earnings management, measured by absolute value of discretionary accruals, of resignation-companies is higher than other firms. Out results are still robust after controlling for these confounding factors, financial ratios and ex-treme financial performance.
Diet and Energy-Sensing Inputs Affect TorC1-Mediated Axon Misrouting but Not TorC2-Directed Synapse Growth in a Drosophila Model of Tuberous Sclerosis (2012)

The Target of Rapamycin (TOR) growth regulatory system is influenced by a number of different inputs, including growth factor signaling, nutrient availability, and cellular energy levels. While the effects of TOR on cell and organismal growth have been well characterized, this pathway also has profound effects on neural development and behavior. Hyperactivation of the TOR pathway by mutations in the upstream TOR inhibitors TSC1 (tuberous sclerosis complex 1) or TSC2 promotes benign tumors and neurological and behavioral deficits, a syndrome known as tuberous sclerosis (TS). In Drosophila, neuron-specific overexpression of Rheb, the direct downstream target inhibited by Tsc1/Tsc2, produced significant synapse overgrowth, axon misrouting, and phototaxis deficits. To understand how misregulation of Tor signaling affects neural and behavioral development, we examined the influence of growth factor, nutrient, and energy sensing inputs on these neurodevelopmental phenotypes. Neural expression of Pi3K, a principal mediator of growth factor inputs to Tor, caused synapse overgrowth similar to Rheb, but did not disrupt axon guidance or phototaxis. Dietary restriction rescued Rheb-mediated behavioral and axon guidance deficits, as did overexpression of AMPK, a component of the cellular energy sensing pathway, but neither was able to rescue synapse overgrowth. While axon guidance and behavioral phenotypes were affected by altering the function of a Tor complex 1 (TorC1) component, Raptor, or a TORC1 downstream element (S6k), synapse overgrowth was only suppressed by reducing the function of Tor complex 2 (TorC2) components (Rictor, Sin1). These findings demonstrate that different inputs to Tor signaling have distinct activities in nervous system development, and that Tor provides an important connection between nutrient-energy sensing systems and patterning of the nervous system.
Struktur des Silybins, III. Synthese einer 2,3‐unsymmetrisch disubstituierten 2,3‐Dihydro‐1,4‐benzodioxin‐6‐carbonsäure (1977)

trans-3-(3,4-Dimethoxyphenyl)-2,3-dihydro-2-(methoxymethyl)-1,4-benzodioxin-6-carbonsäure (1a) wurde auf eindeutigem Wege synthetisiert und erwies sich als identisch mit dem Alkaliabbauprodukt des Dehydrosilybin-pentamethylethers. Structure of Silybin, III. Synthesis of a 2,3-Unsymmetrically Disubstituted 2,3-Dihydro-1,4-benzodioxin-6-carboxylic Acid trans-3-(3,4-Dimethoxyphenyl)-2,3-dihydro-2-(methoxymethyl)-1,4-benzodioxin-6-carboxylic acid (1a) was synthesized by an unambiguous way, and has been proved to be identical with a degradation product previously obtained from dehydrosilybin of natural origin after permethylation and alkali treatment.
Innate and adaptive immune activation in the brain of MPS IIIB mouse model (2008)

Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) IIIB is a lysosomal storage disease with severe neurological manifestations due to alpha-N-acetylglucosaminidase (NaGlu) deficiency. The mechanism of neuropathology in MPS IIIB is unclear. This study investigates the role of immune responses in neurological disease of MPS IIIB in mice. By means of gene expression microarrays and real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, we demonstrated significant up-regulation of numerous immune-related genes in MPS IIIB mouse brain involving a broad range of immune cells and molecules, including T cells, B cells, microglia/macrophages, complement, major histocompatibility complex class I, immunoglobulin, Toll-like receptors, and molecules essential for antigen presentation. The significantly enlarged spleen and lymph nodes in MPS IIIB mice were due to an increase in splenocytes/lymphocytes, and functional assays indicated that the T cells were activated. An autoimmune component to the disease was further suggested by the presence of putative autoantigen or autoantigens in brain extracts that reacted specifically with serum IgG from MPS IIIB mice. We also demonstrated for the first time that immunosuppression with prednisolone alone can significantly slow the central nervous system disease progression. Our data indicate that immune responses contribute greatly to the neuropathology of MPS IIIB and should be considered as an adjunct treatment in future therapeutic developments for optimal therapeutic effect.
Improved dissolution and micromeritic properties of naproxen from spherical agglomerates: preparation, in vitro and in vivo characterization (2012)

Naproxen, an anti-inflammatory drug, exhibits poor aqueous solubility, which limits the pharmacological effects. The present work was carried out to study the effect of agglomeration on micromeritic properties and dissolution. Naproxen agglomerates were prepared by using a three solvents system composed of acetone (good solvent), water (non-solvent) and dichloromethane (bridging liquid). Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) results showed no change in the drug after crystallization process. X-Ray Powder Diffraction (XRPD) studies showed the sharp peaks are present in the diffractograms of spherical agglomerates with minor reduction in height of the peaks. The residual solvents are largely below the tolerated limits in the agglomerates. Scanning Electronic Microscopy (SEM) studies showed that agglomerates were spherical in structure and formed by cluster of small crystals. The agglomerates exhibited improved solubility, dissolution rate and micromeritic properties compared to pure drug. Anti-inflammatory studies were conducted in Wistar strain male albino rats and naproxen agglomerates showed more significant activity than the pure drug.
The simulation of frequency-capacitance characteristics of fresh water conductivity sensor (2009)

A frequency based sensor is presented to measure the conductivity of fresh water. A MEMS based conductivity sensor is designed to form the RC-Wien-Bridge Oscillator, and the conductivity of tested sample could be obtained according to frequency of the Oscillator by calibrating the frequency to the conductivity of standard liquid. In this paper, system description and electronic simulation are presented with an emphasis on the simulation of actual capacitance and frequency-capacitance characteristics of fresh water conductivity sensor. The results indicate the frequency range dedicated for fresh water conductivity measurement is from 90 kHz to 434 KHz. It is promising to measure the conductivity of fresh water with this kind of frequency based sensor.
Performing scheduling and storage optimization simultaneously using genetic algorithms (2002)

This paper presents a method for performing scheduling and allocation of functional units simultaneously with storage optimization in high-level synthesis using genetic algorithms. The method involves augmenting a standard CDFG with storage operations and scheduling these operations on available storage units. The resulting synthesis tool is flexible and can support any type of storage unit from registers, to multi-port register files and memories. Results on typical circuits and benchmarks prove the flexibility and performance of this technique.
A study on the glass transition behavior and morphology of semi-interpenetrating polymer networks (1996)

The epoxy resin/polyurethane semi-IPN was prepared and the glass transition behavior of the semi-IPN was discussed with DSC and DMA methods. The results show that the two glass transition temperatures (Tg) referring to epoxy resin and polyurethane respectively get closer. Between the two Tg there exists another Tg related to the interface between the two polymers. SEM indicates that this semi-IPN has a two-phase continuous structure which changes with different weight compositions. This is also proved by testing the Young's modulus. It is found that the IPN system has a cellular structure. Comparatively, the compatibility between the two polymers is the best when the weight ratio of EP/PU is 70/30. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Aqueous dye-sensitized solar cells (2015)

Nowadays, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are the most extensively investigated systems for the conversion of solar energy into electricity, particularly for implementation in devices where low cost and good performance are required. Nevertheless, a key aspect is still to be addressed, being considered strongly harmful for a long time, which is the presence of water in the cell, either in the electrolyte or at the electrode/electrolyte interface. Here comes the present review, in the course of which we try our best to address the highly topical role of water in DSSCs, trying to figure out if it is a poisoner or the keyword to success, by means of a thoroughly detailed analysis of all the established phenomena in an aqueous environment. Actually, in the last few years the scientific community has suddenly turned its efforts in the direction of using water as a solvent, as demonstrated by the amount of research articles being published in the literature. Indeed, by means of DSSCs fabricated with water-based electrolytes, reduced costs, non-flammability, reduced volatility and improved environmental compatibility could be easily achieved. As a result, an increasing number of novel electrodes, dyes and electrolyte components are continuously proposed, being highly challenging from the materials science viewpoint and with the golden thread of producing truly water-based DSSCs. If the initial purpose of DSSCs was the construction of an artificial photosynthetic system able to convert solar light into electricity, the use of water as the key component may represent a great step forward towards their widespread diffusion in the market.
Sperm-Egg Interaction: Evidence for Boar Sperm Plasma Membrane Receptors for Porcine Zona Pellucida (1980)

Freshly ejaculated, noncapacitated boar sperm bind rapidly and in large numbers to pig egg zona pellucida in vitro. In the present study, the number of sperm bound decreased sharply when sperm motility was lowered by energy poisons or by reducing the temperature. Highly motile sperm from humans, guinea pigs, and rats, added at concentrations ten times higher than control sperm, did not bind to the porcine zona. At the same high concentration, a small number of hamster and bull sperm bound to the zona. Binding of boar sperm to the zona pellucida was blocked almost completely by diluted whole antiserum to sperm plasma membranes and by univalent (Fab) antibody to these membranes. When antibody to sperm plasma membrane was first absorbed with plasma membrane vesicles, sperm binding was not inhibited. These results provide direct evidence for the existence of sperm plasma membrane receptors for the zona pellucida of the pig.
Transgenic tomatoes expressing human beta-amyloid for use as a vaccine against Alzheimer’s disease (2008)

Human beta-amyloid (Abeta) is believed to be one of the main components of Alzheimer's disease, so reduction of Abeta is considered a key therapeutic target. Using Agrobacterium-mediated nuclear transformation, we generated transgenic tomatoes for Abeta with tandem repeats. Integration of the human Abeta gene into the tomato genome and its transcription were detected by PCR and Northern blot, respectively. Expression of the Abeta protein was confirmed by western blot and ELISA, and then the transgenic tomato line expressing the highest protein level was selected for vaccination. Mice immunized orally with total soluble extracts from the transgenic tomato plants elicited an immune response after receiving a booster. The results indicate that tomato plants may provide a useful system for the production of human Abeta antigen.
Towards Reliable Modular Programs (1995)

Software is being applied in an ever-increasing number of areas. Computer programs and systems are becoming more complex and consisting of more delicately interconnected components. Errors surfacing in programs are still a conspicuous and costly problem. It's about time we employ some techniques that guide us toward higher reliability of practical programs. The goal of this thesis is just that. This thesis presents a theory for verifying programs based on Dijkstra's weakest-precondition calculus. A variety of program paradigms used in practice, such as exceptions, procedures, object orientation, and modularity, are dealt with. The thesis sheds new light on the theory behind programs with exceptions. It develops an elegant algebra, and shows it to be the foundation on which the semantics of exceptions rests. It develops a trace semantics for programs with exceptions, from which the weakest-precondition semantics is derived. It also proves a theorem on programming methodology relating to exceptions, and applies this theorem in the novel derivation of a simple program. The thesis presents a simple model for object-oriented data types, in which concerns have been separated, resulting in the simplicity of the model. To deal with large programs, this thesis takes a practical look at modularity and abstraction. It reveals a problem that arises in writing specifications for modular programs where previous techniques fail. The thesis introduces a new specification construct that solves that problem, and gives a formal proof of soundness for modular verification using that construct. The model is a generalization of Hoare's classical data refinement. However, there are more problems to be solved. The thesis reports on some of these problems and suggests some future directions toward more reliable modular programs.