gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Improved Specificity of ICA Assays in the Fourth International Immunology of Diabetes Serum Exchange Workshop (1992)

The goal of the Fourth International Workshop for Standardization of ICA Measurements was to determine the specificity of ICA assays and their ability to distinguish between control sera (n = 57) and sera from IDDM-related individuals--representing relatives of IDDM patients (n = 21), healthy individuals who later developed IDDM (n = 8), or newly diagnosed IDDM patients (n = 23). Results from 28 laboratories were analyzed. The mean specificity (percentage of control sera reported as negative) among 27 laboratories was 91%, including 6 laboratories with 100% specificity. Nevertheless, 78% of laboratories found at least one control sample > 0 JDF U. Among samples from first-degree relatives, the mean concordance was 86%, including three sera found negative (0 JDF U) by all laboratories. Among individuals who later developed diabetes, the mean concordance was 93%, with two sera found positive by 100% of laboratories. In sera from newly diagnosed IDDM patients, the mean concordance was 82%. Three sera were found positive and one serum negative by all laboratories. The JDF U of the sera considered to be positive were significantly greater than each laboratory's average for the controls. In conclusion, the results from laboratories participating in the Fourth International ICA Workshop demonstrated excellent specificity, good concordance, and an ability to separate control sera from defined, IDDM-related subjects.
ChemInform Abstract: 1,2,3,3A‐TETRAHYDRO‐4H‐PYRROLO(2,1‐C)‐1,4‐BENZOXAZINE (1972)

Abstract Die Kondensation von 3‐Äthoxy4‐brom‐crotonsäureäthylester mit K‐o‐nitrophenolat liefert den Nitroäther (Ia) (80% Ausbeute), der an Raney‐Ni zum Amin (Ib) hydriert wird.
ON THE CORNIFICATION OF CELLULOSE AND THE REACTIVATION OF THE CORNIFIED CELLULOSE (1956)

By measuring the swelling of samples in glacial acetic acid, the cornification of cellulose and the reactivation of the cornified cellulose were investigated, and the results obtained are as follows.(1) In the dehydrating course of drying, the cornification develops increasingly after the water content has fallen below 50% in the case of native cellulose or below 80% in the case of cellulose treated with 10% NaOH beforehand.(2) The cornification is appreciably inhibited by drying after replacing water with organic liquid, and the smaller the surface tension, affinity to hydroxyl group, and the polarity of the liquid, the greater the preventing action of the liquid.(3) If the cellulose not cornified in drying is placed in the room of moderate humidity, the cornification takes place markedly during storage.(4) The cornified cellulose is reactivated by treating it with proper liquid; the greater the cohesive energy density of the liquid, the higher the activity as reviving reagent. Acetic acid displays its reviving action only at moderately higher temperature.(5) Mechanical grinding is exceedingly effective in the reactivation of the cornified cellulose.
Metabolic Advantages of Higher Protein Diets and Benefits of Dairy Foods on Weight Management, Glycemic Regulation, and Bone (2015)

The Inst. of Medicine and World Health Organization have determined that 0.8 to 0.83 g protein·kg(-1) ·d(-1) is the quantity of protein required to establish nitrogen balance in nearly all healthy individuals. However, consuming higher protein diets may be metabolically advantageous, particularly for overweight and obese adults attempting weight loss, and for physically active individuals such as athletes and military personnel. Studies have demonstrated that higher protein diets may spare lean body mass during weight loss, promote weight management, enhance glycemic regulation, and increase intestinal calcium absorption, which may result in long-term improvements in bone health. The extent to which higher protein diets are beneficial is largely attributed to the digestive and absorptive properties, and also to the essential amino acid (EAA) content of the protein. Proteins that are rapidly digested and absorbed likely contribute to the metabolic advantages conferred by consuming higher protein diets. The EAA profiles, as well as the digestive and absorptive properties of dairy proteins, such as whey protein and casein, are particularly advantageous because they facilitate a rapid, robust, and sustained delivery of EAAs to the periphery. This article reviews the scientific literature assessing metabolic advantages associated with higher protein diets on weight management, glycemic regulation, and bone, with emphasis given to studies evaluating the potential benefits associated with dairy.
Neutralizing antibodies to HIV-1 induced by immunization (2013)

Most neutralizing antibodies act at the earliest steps of viral infection and block interaction of the virus with cellular receptors to prevent entry into host cells. The inability to induce neutralizing antibodies to HIV has been a major obstacle to HIV vaccine research since the early days of the epidemic. However, in the past three years, the definition of a neutralizing antibody against HIV has been revolutionized by the isolation of extremely broad and potent neutralizing antibodies from HIV-infected individuals. Considerable hurdles remain for inducing neutralizing antibodies to a protective level after immunization. Meanwhile, novel technologies to bypass the induction of antibodies are being explored to provide prophylactic antibody-based interventions. This review addresses the challenge of inducing HIV neutralizing antibodies upon immunization and considers notable recent advances in the field. A greater understanding of the successes and failures for inducing a neutralizing response upon immunization is required to accelerate the development of an effective HIV vaccine.
Cold Hardiness of ‘Midiron’ and ‘Tifgreen’ Bermudagrass (1988)

Abstract Electrolyte leakage and regrowth tests were used to estimate cold hardiness levels of field-grown ‘Midiron’ and ‘Tifgreen’ bermudagrass ( Cynodon dactylon × C. transvaalensis crowns. The two procedures were in close agreement. ‘Midiron’ was hardier than ‘Tifgreen’ on all sampling dates. Greatest levels of freeze tolerance were –11°C for ‘Midiron’ and –7° for Tifgreen’ during December and January, ‘Midiron’ was killed at –5° in early June while ‘Tifgreen’ had lost all freeze tolerance by this date. Although the electrolyte leakage procedure was rapid and required no greenhouse space, it was relatively difficult to set up and evaluate.
Factors affecting griseofulvin susceptibility testing of Trichophyton rubrum in microcultures (1982)

A microculture broth assay system for griseofulvin susceptibility testing of Trichophyton rubrum was further characterized. The effects of mass and number of colony-forming units of a fragmented mycelial inoculum, 5- or 8-day incubation periods, 25 or 32 degrees C incubation temperatures, and the solvents used to dissolve griseofulvin on the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of griseofulvin were determined. An inoculum density with an absorbance of 0.600 at 450 nm ensured successful inoculation of all microcultures. Reduction of the inoculum mass to an absorbance of 0.200 lowered the number of colony-forming units in the inoculum by 60 to 80%. This decreased the efficiency of inoculation but did not alter the resulting MIC. There was no correlation between MIC and the number of colony-forming units used to initiate growth. Neither incubation temperature nor the length of incubation affected the MIC. The use of either acetone or ethanol to solubilize griseofulvin likewise had no effect on the MIC. The mean reproducibility of the MICs determined with the microculture method was 96%.
Steroid and G Protein Binding Characteristics of the Seatrout and Human Progestin Membrane Receptor α Subtypes and Their Evolutionary Origins (2006)

A novel progestin receptor (mPR) with seven-transmembrane domains was recently discovered in spotted seatrout and homologous genes were identified in other vertebrates. We show that cDNAs for the mPR alpha subtypes from spotted seatrout (st-mPRalpha) and humans (hu-mPRalpha) encode progestin receptors that display many functional characteristics of G protein-coupled receptors. Flow cytometry and immunocytochemical staining of whole MDA-MB-231 cells stably transfected with the mPRalphas using antibodies directed against their N-terminal regions show the receptors are localized on the plasma membrane and suggest the N-terminal domain is extracellular. Both recombinant st-mPRalpha and hu-mPRalpha display high affinity (Kd 4.2-7.8 nm), limited capacity (Bmax 0.03-0.32 nm), and displaceable membrane binding specific for progestins. Progestins activate a pertussis toxin-sensitive inhibitory G protein (G(i)) to down-regulate membrane-bound adenylyl cyclase activity in both st-mPRalpha- and hu-mPRalpha-transfected cells. Coimmunoprecipitation experiments demonstrate the receptors are directly coupled to the G(i) protein. Similar to G protein-coupled receptors, dissociation of the receptor/G protein complex results in a decrease in ligand binding to the mPRalphas and mutation of the C-terminal, and third intracellular loop of st-mPRalpha causes loss of ligand-dependent G protein activation. Phylogenetic analysis indicates the mPRs are members of a progesterone and adipoQ receptor (PAQR) subfamily that is only present in chordates, whereas other PAQRs also occur in invertebrates and plants. Progesterone and adipoQ receptors are related to the hemolysin3 family and have origins in the Eubacteria. Thus, mPRs arose from Eubacteria independently from members of the GPCR superfamily, which arose from Archeabacteria, suggesting convergent evolution of seven-transmembrane hormone receptors coupled to G proteins.
Tag clouds for summarizing web search results (2007)

In this paper, we describe an application, PubCloud that uses tagclouds for the summarization of results from queries over thePubMed database of biomedical literature. PubCloud responds toqueries of this database with tag clouds generated from wordsextracted from the abstracts returned by the query. The results ofa user study comparing the PubCloud tag-cloud summarization ofquery results with the standard result list provided by PubMedindicated that the tag cloud interface is advantageous in presenting descriptive information and in reducing user frustrationbut that it is less effective at the task of enabling users to discoverrelations between concepts.
Gene expression profiling of whole blood: Comparison of target preparation methods for accurate and reproducible microarray analysis (2009)

RNA preparation and labeling methods designed to reduce the impact of globin mRNA transcripts can significantly improve the sensitivity of the DNA microarray expression profiling assay for whole blood samples. While blockage of globin transcripts during first strand cDNA synthesis with globin PNAs resulted in the best overall performance in this study, we conclude that selection of a protocol for expression profiling studies in blood should depend on several factors, including implementation requirements of the method and study design. RNA isolated from either freshly collected or frozen blood samples stored in PAXGene tubes can be used without altering gene expression profiles.
Deterministic phase engineering for optical Fano resonances with arbitrary lineshape and frequencies (2015)

We present an approach of deterministic phase engineering that can enable the rational design of optical Fano resonances with arbitrarily pre-specified lineshapes. Unlike all the approaches previously used to design optical Fano resonances, which fall short of designing the resonances with arbitrary lineshapes because of the lack of information for the optical phases involved, we develop our approach by capitalizing on unambiguous knowledge for the phase of optical modes. Optical Fano resonances arise from the interference of photons interacting with two optical modes with substantially different quality factors. We find that the phase difference of the two modes involved in optical Fano resonances is determined by the eigenfrequency difference of the modes. This allows us to deterministically engineer the phase by tuning the eigenfrequency, which may be very straightforward. We use dielectric grating structures as an example to illustrate the notion of deterministic engineering for the design of optical Fano resonances with arbitrarily pre-specified symmetry, linewidth, and wavelengths.
Impacts of the Number of Perforation Clusters and Cluster Spacing on Production Performance of Horizontal Shale-Gas Wells (2012)

Summary Multistage hydraulic fracturing has become the key technology to complete horizontal wells in shale-gas reservoirs. In each stage, multiple perforation clusters are used to create multiple transverse fractures. How these clusters are placed significantly affects both the short-term and long-term production performance of horizontal shale-gas wells. The author's previous work has demonstrated that when more than two fractures are created, mechanical interaction among fractures creates strong stress concentrations around the inner fractures. As a result, the fractures between two edge fractures (i.e., subcenter and center fractures) experience only limited dilation, and their widths are much smaller than the edge-fractures’ width. In this paper, reservoir-simulation models were constructed by quantitatively incorporating the findings of the author's previous work to investigate the impacts of the number of perforation clusters and cluster spacing on production performance of horizontal shale-gas wells. The paper illustrates that with the same cluster spacing, the scenarios with more clusters have lower ultimate gas recovery because of the increased number of less-effective inner fractures. Given the same lateral length of a horizontal well, although reducing cluster spacing increases the total number of fractures, smaller cluster spacing does not necessarily improve well performance. Inadequate small cluster spacing can actually lead to a greater number of less-effective or ineffective fractures, and, therefore, lower gas rate and ultimate recovery.
Analysis of the introduction of new technologies to evaluate the performance of pharmaceutical unit operations (1998)

Thesis (M.S.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Technology and Policy Program, 1998.
Measuring Behind Casing Water Flow (1987)

Abstract A common problem encountered in production and water injection operations is locating and stopping undesired water channeling. The Texaco E & P Technology Division has developed a Behind Casing Water Flow (BCWF) measurement system to measure vertical water flow in or behind multiple casings. This logging system can measure: • the direction of flow • the linear flow velocity • the volume flow rate • the radial distance of the flow from the sonde. The system uses a neutron generator tube to provide a source of high energy neutrons to activate oxygen in the flowing water. The resulting high energy gamma rays are detected with two crystal detectors. By using the counts in different energy ranges in the two detectors, the system computer can calculate the water flow velocity, volume flow rate, and radial distance from the flow to the sonde. Velocities of between 0.75 and 10 in/sec (19 and 254 mm/sec) can be measured. This 3-5/8 inch (92 mm) diameter logging sonde is reversible so either upward or downward flowing water can be detected. This logging system has been used in several Texaco fields and has proved its value in detecting undesired water flow.
Calibration of X-ray imaging devices for accurate intensity measurement (2012)

National Security Technologies (NSTec) has developed calibration procedures for X-ray imaging systems. The X-ray sources that are used for calibration are both diode type and diode/fluorescer combinations. Calibrating the X-ray detectors is a key to accurate calibration of the X-ray sources. Both energy dispersive detectors and photodiodes measuring total flux were used. We have developed calibration techniques for the detectors using radioactive sources that are traceable to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The German synchrotron at Physikalische Technische Bundestalt (PTB) was used to calibrate the silicon photodiodes over the energy range from 50 to 60 keV. The measurements on X-ray cameras made using the NSTec X-ray sources included quantum efficiency averaged over all pixels, camera counts per photon per pixel, and response variation across the sensor. The instrumentation required to accomplish the calibrations is described. The X-ray energies ranged from 720 to 22.7 keV. The X-ray sources produce narrow energy bands, allowing us to determine the properties as a function of X-ray energy. The calibrations were done for several types of imaging devices. There were back and front illuminated CCD (charge-coupled device) sensors, and a CID (charge injection device) type camera. The CCD and CID camera types differ significantly in some of their properties that affect the accuracy of the X-ray intensity measurements. All the cameras discussed here are silicon based. The measurements of the quantum efficiency variation with the X-ray energy are compared to the models for the sensor structure. The cameras that are not back-thinned are compared to those that are.
Physical Characterization and Quantification of Bacteria by Sedimentation Field-Flow Fractionation (1993)

Studies in microbial ecology require accurate measures of cell number and biomass. Although epifluorescence microscopy is an accepted and dependable method for determining cell numbers, current methods of converting biovolume to biomass are error prone, tedious, and labor-intensive. This paper describes a technique with sedimentation field-flow fractionation to enumerate bacteria and determine their density, size, and mass. Using cultured cells of different shapes and sizes, we determined optimum values for separation run parameters and sample-handling procedures. The technique described can separate and detect 4', 6-diamidino-2-phenylindole-stained cells and generate a fractogram from which cell numbers and their size or mass distribution can be calculated. A direct method for estimating bacterial biomass (dry organic matter content) which offers distinct advantages over present methods for calculating biomass has been developed.
<i>Ex vivo</i> characterization of human atherosclerotic iliac plaque components using cryo‐imaging (2008)

We characterized atherosclerotic plaque components with a novel cryo-imaging system in lieu of standard histological methods commonly used for imaging validation and research endpoints. We aim to accurately identify plaque tissue types from fresh cadaver specimens rapidly (less than 5 h) in three dimensions for large specimens (up to 4 cm vessel segments). A single-blind validation study was designed to determine sensitivity, specificity and inter-rater agreement (Fleiss' Kappa) of cryo-imaging tissue types with histology as the gold standard. Six naïve human raters identified 344 tissue type samples in 36 cryo-image sets after being trained. Tissue type sensitivities are as follows: greater than 90% for adventitia, media-related, smooth muscle cell ingrowth, external elastic lamina, internal elastic lamina, fibrosis, dense calcification and haemorrhage; greater than 80% for lipid and light calcification; and greater than 50% for cholesterol clefts. Specificities were greater than 95% for all tissue types. The results demonstrate convincingly that cryo-imaging can be used to accurately identify most tissue types. If the cryo-imaging data are entered into visualization software, three-dimensional renderings of the plaque can be generated to visualize and quantify plaque components.
Scandole in legno di castagno (1996)

Il castagno, chiamato l'albero del pane per le molteplici utilizzazioni (frutti, prodotti accessori, legno), è la specie vegetale che più di ogni altra ha sfamato intere popolazioni europee. Negli ultimi decenni si è assistito a un declino dei settori economici tradizionalmente legati alle civiltà rurali, fenomeno che ha causato un progressivo impoverimento del grande patrimonio di conoscenze ed esperienze accumulate nei secoli passati. Il legno di castagno non è sfuggito a questo destino, anche perché considerato un legno "povero". Negli ultimi anni si è comunque assistiot ad un risveglio dell'interesse per questa specie e numerose iniziative avviate da diversi enti ed operatori del settore lo testimoniano.
Validation of an ECG-derived respiration monitoring method (2003)

The method proposed here includes automatic optimal lead(s) selection from multiple lead systems, calculates the EDR-values from QRS-area variations and obtains a respiratory waveform through interpolation. The respiratory frequency and the presence of apnea were calculated in the time-domain, identifying the respiratory cycles on the waveform through a min-max detection method. Validation of the method has been performed using eleven patients affected mostly by obstructive respiration disorder in a sleep laboratory; gold standard respiration data was taken from oral/nasal flow, EDR was calculated using 12-lead ECG synchronized with the sleep data. Summarized results for the automatic process are: respiration cycle detection sensitivity/specificity was 98%/90% respectively. Apnea detection sensitivity/specificity was 87%/85%, respectively.
Revisiting phage therapy: new applications for old resources (2015)

The success of phage therapy is dependent on the development of strategies able to overcome the limitations of bacteriophages as therapeutic agents, the creation of an adequate regulatory framework, the implementation of safety protocols, and acceptance by the general public. Many approaches have been proposed to circumvent phages' intrinsic limitations but none have proved to be completely satisfactory. In this review we present the major hurdles of phage therapy and the solutions proposed to circumvent them. A thorough discussion of the advantages and drawbacks of these solutions is provided and special attention is given to the genetic modification of phages as an achievable strategy to shape bacteriophages to exhibit desirable biological properties.
Synthesis of 2′,3′-Didehydro-2′,3′-dideoxy-2′-<i>C</i>-methylsubstituted Nucleosides Using a Novel S<sub>N</sub>2′ Type Reaction (1993)

Abstract 1-(2,3-Dideoxy-2-C-hydroxymethyl-β-D-threo-pentofuranosyl)-, 1-(2,3-didehydro-2,3-dideoxy-2-C-hydroxymethyl-β-D-glycero-pentofuranosyl)- and 1-(2-C-azidomethyl-2,3-didehydro-2,3-dideoxy-β-D-glycero-pentofuranosyl)uracuracil, thymine and cytosine were synthesized and evaluated for their anti-HIV activities. A key step of the synthesis involves a novel alcohol transposition of2-methylene-nucleoside analogues.