gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Amino acids of the Torpedo marmorata acetylcholine receptor .alpha. subunit labeled by a photoaffinity ligand for the acetylcholine binding site (1988)

The acetylcholine-binding sites on the native, membrane-bound acetylcholine receptor from Torpedo marmorata were covalently labeled with the photoaffinity reagent [3H]-p-(dimethylamino)-benzenediazonium fluoroborate (DDF) in the presence of phencyclidine by employing an energy-transfer photolysis procedure. The alpha-chains isolated from receptor-rich membranes photolabeled in the absence or presence of carbamoylcholine were cleaved with CNBr and the radiolabeled fragments purified by high-performance liquid chromatography. Amino acid and/or sequence analysis demonstrated that the alpha-chain residues Trp-149, Tyr-190, Cys-192, and Cys-193 and an unidentified residue(s) in the segment alpha 31-105 were all labeled by the photoaffinity reagent in an agonist-protectable manner. The labeled amino acids are located within three distinct regions of the large amino-terminal hydrophilic domain of the alpha-subunit primary structure and plausibly lie in proximity to one another at the level of the acetylcholine-binding sites in the native receptor. These findings are in accord with models proposed for the transmembrane topology of the alpha-chain that assign the amino-terminal segment alpha 1-210 to the synaptic cleft. Furthermore, the results suggest that the four identified [3H]DDF-labeled residues, which are conserved in muscle and neuronal alpha-chains but not in the other subunits, may be directly involved in agonist binding.
Emulsifier‐Free Graphene Dispersions with High Graphene Content for Printed Electronics and Freestanding Graphene Films (2012)

Abstract A novel and highly versatile synthetic route for the production of functionalized graphene dispersions in water, acetone, and isopropanol (IPA), which exhibit long‐term stability and are easy to scale up, is reported. Both graphene functionalization (wherein the oxygen content can be varied from 4 to 16 wt%) and dispersion are achieved by the thermal reduction of graphite oxide, followed by a high‐pressure homogenization (HPH) process. For the first time, binders, dispersing agents, and reducing agents are not required to produce either dilute or highly concentrated dispersions of single graphene sheets with a graphene content of up to 15 g L −1 . High graphene content is essential for the successful printing of graphene dispersions by 3D microextrusion. Free‐standing graphene films and micropatterned graphene materials are successfully prepared using this method. Due to the absence of toxic reducing agents, the graphene exhibits no cytotoxicity and is biocompatible. Furthermore, the electrical conductivity of graphene is significantly improved by the absence of binders. Flexible microarrays can be printed on different substrates, producing microarrays that are mechanically stable and can be bent several times without affecting electrical conductivity.
A shoot-through protection scheme for converters built with SiC JFETs (2009)

SiC JFET has been an attractive device for the converter construction due to its superior switching performance and high temperature operation capability. But the shoot-through protection remains a challenge because of the limited knowledge and normally-on characteristics of this device. This paper presents a novel shoot-through protection approach. A bi-directional switch which consists of an IGBT and a relay is embedded into the DC-link and then the shoot-through failure can be detected and cleared regardless the device type used in the converter. Therefore it is suitable for the converter built with SiC JFETs. The protection mechanism and the corresponding circuit design are described in details. The proposed protection circuit is first tested in a phase leg setup with MOSFET and then implemented in an AC-AC converter system using SiC JFETs. The experimental results verify the feasibility of the proposed protection approach.
Study on the Noise-Level Calculation Method for Capacitor Stacks in HVDC Converter Station (2010)

The capacitor stack is one of main acoustic noise sources in the high-voltage dc (HVdc) converter station. It is necessary and important to estimate the noise level of capacitor stacks before an HVdc converter station is constructed. In this paper, based on the analysis of capacitor noise generation mechanisms, the relationship between the vibration speed and sound pressure level of the capacitor is identified. The equation which can be used to calculate the noise level of capacitor stacks is derived. By applying mechanical force on the capacitor tank, the frequency-response function of the capacitor tank vibration is acquired. And then the noise level of capacitor stacks is calculated and compared with the measurement data. The results show that the noise level of the capacitor stack can be predicted effectively with the proposed calculation method.
Simple and rapid method for detection of bacterial spores in powder useful for first responders. (2006)

The need for a rapid method by which first responders can screen for the presence of spores in powder samples has been increased since the anthrax attack of 2001. The majority of powders that were sampled in the context of that attack were hoaxes and did not contain Bacillus anthracis. The large number of samples overwhelmed the analysis capacity of public health laboratories. A rapid screening method for determining the presence of viable spores would eliminate much laboratory work and expedite procedures for identification if spores were detected. In the study reported here, Bacillus thuringiensis was used as a surrogate for B. anthracis to investigate if heat shock followed by luminescence analysis would allow rapid quantification of viable spores. The aim of the study was to investigate the best and fastest heat shock conditions that would trigger the breakdown of endospore dormancy of Bacillus species and give a higher luminescence signal. Heat shock and luminescence do not identify the type of spores in a powder sample, but they can detect the presence of viable spores in near real time. Different types of germinant were tested at different conditions (germination duration, temperature, concentration). The rapid method was compared with the traditional plate count method. The results showed that the rapid method can be used as a rapid (< 15 min), sensitive (< 100 spores), and inexpensive detection technique. The rapid method can be applied on site when suspicious powder is found and enables decision making for further identification.
Antimicrobial activity of glucose oxidase-immobilized plasma-activated polypropylene films (2005)

Antimicrobial enzyme, glucose oxidase (GOX), was covalently immobilized onto amino- and carboxyl-plasma-activated biorientated polypropylene films (BOPP) via glutaraldehyde and carbodiimide chemistries. N2-plasma + NH3 and N2-plasma + CO2 treatments were utilized to create amino (1.1 nmol/cm2) and carboxyl (0.9 nmol/cm2) groups densities onto the surface of BOPP films. GOX-immobilized onto amino-activated BOPP films using 2.5% glutaraldehyde produced higher enzymatic activities than GOX-immobilized by 0.4% carbodiimide. Further immobilizations were carried out with glutaraldehyde as the coupling agent at temperatures of 4–75°C at pH 5.6 and 7.2. 10 s treatment was sufficient to immobilize GOX at high temperatures in both pH conditions, producing enzymatically active films which remained active over 30 days of storage. GOX covalently immobilized onto BOPP films completely inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli and substantially inhibited the growth of Bacillus subtilis; thus, they may have great potential to be exploited in various antimicrobial packaging film applications. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Telecentric suppression of diffuse light in imaging of highly anisotropic scattering media (2015)

The telecentric lens, which was originally used in the machine vision industry, has often been utilized in biomedical imaging systems due to its commonly known properties, such as large transverse field of view, constant magnification, and long working distance. However, its potential advantages in optical imaging of biological tissue, which is highly diffusive, have not been fully explored. We revisit the idea that a telecentric lens system can bring an alternative yet simple method for reducing unwanted scattering or diffuse light in biological tissue, owing to its highly anisotropic scattering properties. Using biological tissue and tissue phantoms, we demonstrate advantages attributed to the use of telecentric lens in tissue imaging compared with imaging using conventional nontelecentric optics. Directional or angular gating (or filtering) using a telecentric lens is beneficial for removing a portion of diffuse light in highly anisotropic scattering media with high values of the scattering anisotropy factor. We envision that a telecentric lens could be potentially incorporated into an instrument of modest design and cost, increasing rapid practical adoption.
Temporal and Spatial Regulation of MicroRNA Activity with Photoactivatable Cantimirs (2011)

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that play numerous important roles in physiology and human diseases. During animal development, many miRNAs are expressed continuously from early embryos throughout adults, yet it is unclear whether these miRNAs are actually required at all the stages of development. Current techniques of manipulating microRNA function lack the required spatial and temporal resolution to adequately address the functionality of a given microRNA at a specific time or at single-cell resolution. To examine stage- or cell-specific function of miRNA during development and to achieve precise control of miRNA activity, we have developed photoactivatable antisense oligonucleotides against miRNAs. These caged oligonucleotides can be activated with 365 nm light with extraordinarily high efficiency to release potent antisense reagents to inhibit miRNAs. Initial application of these caged antimirs in a model organism (C. elegans) revealed that the activity of a miRNA (lsy-6) is required specifically around the comma stage during embryonic development to control a left/right asymmetric differentiation program in the C. elegans nervous system. This suggests that a transient input of lsy-6 during development is sufficient to specify the neuronal cell fate.
Conjugated linoleic acid metabolism (2002)

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a naturally occurring fatty acid that is produced by a bio-hydrogenation process in the rumen, and thus is present in dairy products and ruminant meat. In this case the predominant isomer formed is 9cis,11trans. However, CLA includes 28 positional and geometrical isomers, of which only 9cis,11trans and 10trans,12cis have thus far been proven to possess biological activities. Both of these CLA isomers have been shown to undergo elongation and desaturation processes similar to those that occur with linoleic acid, maintaining the conjugated diene structure. There are evidences supporting the hypothesis that CLA metabolism may interfere with eicosanoid formation. Other metabolites with 16 carbon atoms (conjugated 16:2 and 16:3, which are probably derived from peroxisomal beta-oxidation of CLA and its metabolites, respectively) have been detected. This suggests an efficient metabolism of CLA and its metabolites in peroxisomes, which might be linked to their capacity to activate peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors.
The relationship between greenspace and the mental wellbeing of adults: A systematic review (2018)

Greenspace has positive associations with mental wellbeing (particularly hedonic wellbeing), but the evidence is not currently sufficient or specific enough to guide planning decisions. Further studies are needed, based on dynamic measures of greenspace, reflecting access and uses of greenspace, and measures of both eudaimonic and hedonic mental wellbeing.
Laser‐induced polymerization of siloxanes without photoinitiators (1990)

High‐purity polymers even os the chemically inert dimethylsiloxane (see figure) can be produced by initiating the polymerization of the monomers using laser light rather than chemical initiators which are usually one of the main sources of impurities in the polymers. Polysiloxanes are used in electronics due to their excellent thermal and dielectric properties. magnified image
Liquid-chromatographic determination of 4-aminopyridine in serum, saliva, and urine. (1981)

We have developed "high-performance" liquid-chromatographic methods for determining 4-aminopyridine, an acetylcholine-releasing drug, in serum, saliva, and urine. As little as 1 microgram/L can be detected by extracting the alkalinized sample plus the internal standard (3,4-diaminopyridine) into dichloromethane, mixing the organic phase with 1-pentanol, evaporating the dichloromethane, and injecting the residue onto a reversed-phase column, where it is eluted with acetonitrile/methanol/aqueous ammonium carbonate, with detection at 245 nm. Analytical recoveries from serum averaged 86.7%. The CV at 50 micrograms/L was 2.9% (n = 8). For urine samples containing very high concentrations of 4-aminopyridine, we mixed urine and potassium carbonate in an automatic injector vial, extracted the drug into dichloromethane, centrifuged, and injected an aliquot of the extract into the chromatograph. Analytical recoveries averaged 92%, and the CV was about 2% for drug concentrations of 0.1-8 mg/L of urine.
A Pilot Trial of Vitaxin, A Humanized Anti-Vitronectin Receptor (anti <i>α</i> <sub>v</sub> <i>β</i> <sub>3</sub> ) Antibody in Patients with Metastatic Cancer (2001)

The angiogenic response of a progressing malignancy is characterized by a shift in the balance of stimulatory and inhibiting factors of angiogenesis. Recognition of the regulated steps in tumor angiogenesis provides unique targets for developing anti-tumor therapy. Vitaxin is a humanized monoclonal antibody, which has specificity for the integrin alpha v beta 3 (vitronectin receptor). This antibody can impair the vascular response of endothelial cell growth factors in vitro and inhibit tumor cell mediated angiogenesis in pre-clinical animal models. Patients with metastatic cancer who failed standard therapy received intravenous doses of 10, 50 or 200 mg in cohorts of three patients. The unlabeled dose of Vitaxin was infused on days 0 and 21 of a treatment cycle. All patients received a pre-therapy imaging dose of 1 mg of Tc-99m Vitaxin with gamma camera imaging studies. There was no significant toxicity noted in these three dose levels. There were no objective anti-tumor responses. Three patients received two cycles of therapy and had stable disease at day 85 when taken off study. Radioimaging of tumor vasculature was unsuccessful although one patient with alpha v beta 3 positive melanoma had imaging of tumor sites. There was no immune response to Vitaxin in any patient. Patients receiving 10 mg doses of Vitaxin had poor plasma recovery of injected doses and brief circulation in plasma. Doses of 50 and 200 mg had plasma recovery that better approximated the predicted levels in plasma and circulation half-lives of approximately 7 days. This data suggests that an every three-week schedule of Vitaxin at doses of 200 mg (2.5-3.5 mg/kg) can maintain circulating levels of antibody with little or no toxicity. Future studies will be challenged to define anti-tumor activity in malignancy or appropriate surrogates of anti-tumor effect and explore escalating doses and alternate schedules of administration.
Phosphorylated Troglitazone Activates PPARγ and Inhibits Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation and Proteoglycan Synthesis (2008)

Phosphorylation of alpha-tocopherol produces an entity with enhanced antiatherogenic properties. Troglitazone, an alpha-tocopherol derivative of a 2,4-thiazolidinedione nucleus, is an antidiabetic agent that shows fatal idiosyncratic hepatotoxicity, a property not shared by later agents. We investigated the effects of phosphorylation of troglitazone (to yield "phosphoglitazone") on the biochemical pharmacologic properties of troglitazone. We investigated its ability to act as a PPARgamma agonist and to inhibit 2 atherogenic properties of vascular smooth muscle cells (vSMC)-proliferation and proteoglycan synthesis. PPARgamma activity was assessed in a transfection assay. Proliferation was assessed by [H]-thymidine incorporation and cell counting and proteoglycan synthesis by [S]-sulfate incorporation using human vSMCs stimulated with platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF; 50 ng/mL) and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta (2 ng/mL). Phosphoglitazone was a full agonist for PPARgamma with a potency and efficacy similar to troglitazone. Phosphoglitazone also inhibited cell proliferation and proteoglycan synthesis with potency similar to troglitazone. We conclude that phosphorylation retains the pharmacologic activity of troglitazone while decreasing its lipophilicity and therefore potentially its toxicity. A phosphorylated derivative of a 2,4-thiazolidinedione warrants further investigation as a potential new therapeutic agent for the treatment of insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes.
The human prostanoid DP receptor stimulates mucin secretion in LS174T cells (2000)

This study demonstrates the localization of the prostaglandin (PG)D(2) receptor (DP) within the mucous-secreting globlet cells of the human colon by in situ hybridization, which suggests a role for DP in mucous secretion. Selective high affinity ligands were used, therefore, to evaluate DP regulation of mucous secretion in LS174T human colonic adenocarcinoma cells. The expression of hDP in LS174T cells was confirmed at the mRNA level by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, and at the protein level by radioligand binding assays and signal transduction (cyclic AMP accumulation) assays. PGD(2) and the highly selective DP-specific agonist L-644,698 ((4-(3-(3-(3-hydroxyoctyl)-4-oxo-2-thiazolidinyl) propyl) benzoic acid) (racemate)), but not PGE(2) competed for [(3)H]-PGD(2)-specific binding to LS174T cell membranes (K:(i) values of 0.4 nM and 7 nM, respectively). The DP-specific agonists PGD(2), PGJ(2), BW245C (5-(6-carboxyhexyl)-1-(3-cyclohexyl-3-hydroxypropylhydantoin)), and L-644,698 showed similar potencies in stimulating cyclic AMP accumulation (EC(50) values: 45 - 90 nM) and demonstrated the expected rank order of potency. PGE(2) also elicited cyclic AMP production in this cell line (EC(50) value: 162 nM). The activation of cyclic AMP production by PGD(2) and L-644,698, but not PGE(2), was inhibited by the selective DP antagonist BW A868C. Thus, PGD(2) and L-644,698 act through hDP in LS174T cells. PGD(2), L-644,698 and PGE(2) (an established mucin secretagogue) potently stimulated mucin secretion in LS174T cells in a concentration-dependent manner (EC(50)<50 nM). However, BW A868C effectively antagonized only the mucin secretion mediated by PGD(2) and L-644,698 and not PGE(2). These data support a role for the DP receptor in the regulation of mucous secretion.
Characterization of the Zinc Sites in Cobalamin-Independent and Cobalamin-Dependent Methionine Synthase Using Zinc and Selenium X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (2000)

X-ray absorption spectroscopy has been used to investigate binding of selenohomocysteine to cobalamin-independent (MetE) and cobalamin-dependent (MetH) methionine synthase enzymes of Escherichia coli. We have shown previously [Peariso et al. (1998) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 120, 8410-8416] that the Zn sites in both enzymes show an increase in the number of sulfur ligands when homocysteine binds. The present data provide direct evidence that this change is due to coordination of the substrate to the Zn. Addition of L-selenohomocysteine to either MetE or the N-terminal fragment of MetH, MetH(2-649), causes changes in the zinc X-ray absorption near-edge structure that are remarkably similar to those observed following the addition of L-homocysteine. Zinc EXAFS spectra show that the addition of L-selenohomocysteine changes the coordination environment of the zinc in MetE from 2S + 2(N/O) to 2S + 1(N/O) + 1Se and in MetH(2-649) from 3S + 1(N/O) to 3S + 1Se. The Zn-S, Zn-Se, and Se-S bond distances determined from the zinc and selenium EXAFS data indicate that the zinc sites in substrate-bound MetE and MetH(2-649) both have an approximately tetrahedral geometry. The selenium edge energy for selenohomocysteine shifts to higher energy when binding to either methionine synthase enzyme, suggesting that there is a slight decrease in the effective charge of the selenium. Increases in the Zn-Cys bond distances upon selenohomocysteine binding together with identical magnitudes of the shifts to higher energy in the Se XANES spectra of MetE and MetH(2-649) suggest that the Lewis acidity of the Zn sites in these enzymes appears the same to the substrate and is electronically buffered by the Zn-Cys interaction.
PMU simulation and application for power system stability monitoring (2009)

Wide area monitoring system consists of measuring the angle shift between the sub-networks using phasor measurement units (PMU). These new schemes are promising since a direct measurement of this quantity makes no assumption of the impedance of the tie-lines between the monitored sub-networks. Even if this technology is still at an early stage, a few pilot projects have been already initiated by major utilities over the world. Synchrophasor measurements are becoming one of the new features available in some multifunctional protection devices. There is an ongoing discussion in the industry regarding the integration into the line protection. At this time, since the actual requirements for such measurements is fairly limited and they are used predominantly by non-protection applications, many protection professionals express preference to keep such functions in stand alone or disturbance recording devices. On the other hand, there are new requirements for development of system integrity protection schemes (SIPS) that may need the integration of phasor measurements in the relays. It is anticipated that over the next five to ten years over 500 to 1,000 PMUs will be deployed world-wide. Each PMU typically monitors 6-8 phasor quantities, such as voltages, currents, and frequency, all of which are time-stamp synchronized using a Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite.
<title>Model-based analysis of striation patterns in forensic science</title> (2001)

We present a new image processing strategy that enables an automated extraction of signatures from striation patterns. To this end, a signal model is proposed that allows a suitable description of the interesting features of forensically relevant striation marks. To provide for a high image quality, several images of the same surface area are recorded under systematically varying conditions. The images obtained are then combined to an improved result by means of appropriate sensor fusion techniques. Based upon the signal model, the signal of interest is concentrated, and a compact representation of the grooves is obtained. To enable an efficient description of the relevant features even in the cases of deformed surfaces or curved striation marks, a straightening of the grooves is performed before. In the following, a meaningful signature describing the information of interest is extracted using the whole length of the grooves. This signature can be used for an objective evaluation of similarity of striation patterns.