gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Corticotropin Releasing Factor (CRF) Agonists with Reduced Amide Bonds and Ser<sup>7</sup>Substitutions (1999)

Strategies to generate competitive antagonists of bioactive peptides include several possible structural modifications such as the introduction of D-residues and of reduced amide bonds, the substitution of amino acid side chains, dimerization of fragments, and deletion of part of the sequence, among others. Whereas we have identified the two most likely residues responsible for receptor activation in corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) (Ser7 and Leu8)1 and generated potent antagonists by deleting residues 1-8,2,3 the question remained as to whether we could generate CRF antagonists with enhanced affinity after reduction of amide bonds at the N-terminus of CRF or through subtle alteration of those residues' side chains. Reduced amide bond replacements (psi[CH2NH]) between residues 6-9 in oCRF(5-41) (11, 12, 15) analogues consistently yielded potencies of <1% that of oCRF. Except for the 10psi11 and 12psi13 analogues 19 and 20, reduced amide bond replacements were generally well-tolerated in the longer hCRF(4-41) analogues, with the 7psi8-, 8psi9-, and 9psi10-modified peptides (13, 14, 18) yielding potencies that were 2-4 times that of hCRF. Although somewhat promising as agonists, they were, however, 3-7 times less potent than the parent [D-Pro4Nle21,38]-hCRF(4-41) (2). Since O-alkylation of Tyr3 in vasopressin yields an antagonist, and since Ser7 is one of the eight fully conserved residues in the CRF family (inclusive of sauvagine, urocortins, and urotensins) and likely to be critical for receptor binding, we synthesized cyclo(30-33)[Ser(OMe)7,D-Phe12,Nle21,Glu30,Lys33 ,Nle38]Ac-hCRF(7-41) (22), which was found to exhibit full efficacy and 40% of the potency of cyclo(30-33)[D-Phe12,Nle21,Glu30,Lys33, Nle38]Ac-hCRF(7-41) (5). Other substitutions at position 7 included aminoglycine (23, 24) and alkylated and/or acylated [alpha or alpha'-methyl (25-28), alpha'-formyl (29, 30), alpha'-formyl, alpha'-methyl (31), alpha'-acetyl (32), alpha'-acetyl, alpha'-methyl (33)], D- or L-aminoglycines. All analogues were active although less potent than the parent compound 2, and all elicited maximal ACTH response as compared to hCRF. The most potent analogue in this series (33) had the bulkiest side chain, Agl(Me, Ac), and was 60% and 80% as potent as the Ser7 analogue 5 and the Ala7 analogue 6, respectively. In conclusion, we found that neither reduction of the individual amide linkages between residues 6-11 and 12-13 nor introduction of a carbamide moiety in lieu of the side chain of Ser7 led to CRF antagonists.
Synthesis and Human Neurotensin Receptor Binding Activities of Neurotensin(8−13) Analogues Containing Position 8 α-Azido-<i>N</i>-alkylated Derivatives of Ornithine, Lysine, and Homolysine (1999)

A series of neurotensin(8-13) (NT) analogues were synthesized through intermediates in which the N-terminal Arg(8) was replaced by various omega-bromo-2(S)-azido residues spanning 3-5 methylene units in side-chain length. Subsequent nucleophilic substitution of the omega-bromo groups with ammonia, methylamine, dimethylamine, or trimethylamine provided peptides containing N-terminal 2(S)-azido residues containing primary through quaternary N-alkylated side chains corresponding in length to ornithine, Lys, and homolysine. The synthetic procedure appears applicable for incorporation of a wide variety of amine-containing nonnatural amino acids into peptides. The particular modifications were intended to enhance physiochemical properties of NT(8-13) responsible for human NT 1 receptor (hNTR) binding, overall lipophilicity, and stability that may influence the potency of the peptides in vivo. When the peptides were tested for hNTR binding, the affinities in each series followed the order primary > secondary > tertiary > quaternary amine with the homolysine side-chain length being favored. All analogues possess binding affinities between acetyl-NT(8-13) and NT(8-13) indicating that the sterically less bulky alpha-azido may be inherently preferable to the acetyl group for N-terminal protection. This study extends the strategy of modifying amine-containing drugs through alkylations to peptide modification. The set of alkylated side chains also offers a new method of steric selection between receptor subtypes and could be used to modify the properties and biological effects of any peptide that contains cationic residues.
Duration of Influenza A Virus Shedding in Hospitalized Patients and Implications for Infection Control (2007)

Hospitalized patients with influenza A virus infection can shed detectable virus beyond the 5- to 7-day period traditionally considered the duration of infectivity. Additional research is needed to assess whether prolonging the duration of patient isolation is warranted to prevent nosocomial outbreaks during the influenza season.
Q-koors : die sluipende gevaar : dieregesondheid - V-pos (2014)

Die afgelope paar maande het aborsies by skape en beeste in die Villiers-distrik voorgekom en Q-koors is deur Pathcare as die oorsaak bevestig. Nog 'n veearts het gemeld dat hierdie siekte, wat aborsies veroorsaak en 'n verdwyningsfaktor van lammers in die baarmoeder is, meer algemeen voorkom en dikwels verkeerd gediagnoseer word.
On the mechanism of action of pepsin (1970)

Abstract The present status of the mechanism of action of pepsin is summarized, and a mechanism compatible with the hydrolytic, transpeptidation, and isotopic exchange activities of this enzyme is presented.
Learning the relationship between patient geometry and beam intensity in breast intensity-modulated radiotherapy (2006)

Intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) has become an effective tool for cancer treatment with radiation. However, even expert radiation planners still need to spend a substantial amount of time adjusting IMRT optimization parameters in order to get a clinically acceptable plan. We demonstrate that the relationship between patient geometry and radiation intensity distributions can be automatically inferred using a variety of machine learning techniques in the case of two-field breast IMRT. Our experiments show that given a small number of human-expert-generated clinically acceptable plans, the machine learning predictions produce equally acceptable plans in a matter of seconds. The machine learning approach has the potential for greater benefits in sites where the IMRT planning process is more challenging or tedious.
Research project to test collaboration. (1991)

Seven Denver-area hospitals have agreed to consider collaborating on cardiac-care services as part of a research project that could serve as a model for planning high-technology medical services. The hospitals and a private research organization have pledged $320,000 to fund development of a prototype program. But not all hospitals are sold on cooperation, and some have raised antitrust concerns.
The structure, energetics, and nature of the chemical bonding of phenylthiol adsorbed on the Au(111) surface: Implications for density-functional calculations of molecular-electronic conduction (2005)

The adsorption of phenylthiol on the Au(111) surface is modeled using Perdew and Wang density-functional calculations. Both direct molecular physisorption and dissociative chemisorption via S-H bond cleavage are considered as well as dimerization to form disulfides. For the major observed product, the chemisorbed thiol, an extensive potential-energy surface is produced as a function of both the azimuthal orientation of the adsorbate and the linear translation of the adsorbate through the key fcc, hcp, bridge, and top binding sites. Key structures are characterized, the lowest-energy one being a broad minimum of tilted orientation ranging from the bridge structure halfway towards the fcc one. The vertically oriented threefold binding sites, often assumed to dominate molecular electronics measurements, are identified as transition states at low coverage but become favored in dense monolayers. A similar surface is also produced for chemisorption of phenylthiol on Ag(111); this displays significant qualitative differences, consistent with the qualitatively different observed structures for thiol chemisorption on Ag and Au. Full contours of the minimum potential energy as a function of sulfur translation over the crystal face are described, from which the barrier to diffusion is deduced to be 5.8 kcal mol(-1), indicating that the potential-energy surface has low corrugation. The calculated bond lengths, adsorbate charge and spin density, and the density of electronic states all indicate that, at all sulfur locations, the adsorbate can be regarded as a thiyl species that forms a net single covalent bond to the surface of strength 31 kcal mol(-1). No detectable thiolate character is predicted, however, contrary to experimental results for alkyl thiols that indicate up to 20%-30% thiolate involvement. This effect is attributed to the asymptotic-potential error of all modern density functionals that becomes manifest through a 3-4 eV error in the lineup of the adsorbate and substrate bands. Significant implications are described for density-functional calculations of through-molecule electron transport in molecular electronics.
Examining the stability of Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metric (ANAM) baseline test scores (2009)

Computerized neuropsychological (NP) testing has evolved into an important tool for clinicians in the assessment of sport-related concussions. The importance of having a reliable baseline test score for comparison post concussion is critical; yet, the stability of these baseline measurements has not been well established. The purpose of this study was to examine the consistency of the measurements derived from the Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metric (ANAM) test battery over a series of repeated trials, in an attempt to determine at what point the test scores stabilized. A cohort of 25 recreationally active collegiate students, free from mild head injury, volunteered for the study. Throughput score (measures of performance efficiency) stability was assessed for the computerized NP tests using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). Average throughput scores for all five test trials were simple reaction time (SRT) = 235, matching to sample (MSP) = 41, continuous performance test (CPT) = 108, math processing (MTH) = 24, and Sternberg memory (STN) = 89, and these are within the range of those previously reported. Results show that all four of the ICCs were in the excellent range of agreement (i.e., > or = .75), and more importantly, the statistical comparisons of the ICCs show that there was no significant difference between the ICCs. Consequently, results serve to show that two time periods are sufficient to obtain stable NP results, and thus clinicians can feel comfortable relying on a two-score baseline test for follow-up comparison.
Lysis of Yeast Cell Walls Induced by 2-Deoxyglucose at Their Sites of Glucan Synthesis (1968)

Six sites of 2-deoxyglucose (2DG)-induced lysis on three yeasts (Schizosaccharomyces pombe, Pichia farinosa, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae) coincided with the regions of growth of their glucan layers. Identification of the glucan layer as the site of lysis suggests a mechanism of attack by 2DG or by its derivatives. It is proposed that the glucan layer grows by addition of glucose into internal breaks of polysaccharide molecules. 2DG inhibited resynthesis (insertion of glucose) of the broken glycosidic linkage.
Potent blockade of sodium channels and protection of brain tissue from ischemia by BIII 890 CL (2000)

We have synthesized a new benzomorphan derivative, 2R-[2alpha,3(S*), 6alpha]-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexahydro-6,11, 11-trimethyl-3-[2-(phenylmethoxy)propyl]-2, 6-methano-3-benzazocin-10-ol hydrochloride (BIII 890 CL), which displaced [(3)H]batrachotoxinin A-20alpha-benzoate from neurotoxin receptor site 2 of the Na(+) channel in rat brain synaptosomes (IC(50) = 49 nM), but exhibited only low affinity for 65 other receptors and ion channels. BIII 890 CL inhibited Na(+) channels in cells transfected with type IIA Na(+) channel alpha subunits and shifted steady-state inactivation curves to more negative potentials. The IC(50) value for the inactivated Na(+) channel was much lower (77 nM) than for Na(+) channels in the resting state (18 microM). Point mutations F1764A and Y1771A in transmembrane segment S6 in domain IV of the alpha subunit reduced the voltage- and frequency-dependent block, findings which suggest that BIII 890 CL binds to the local anesthetic receptor site in the pore. BIII 890 CL inhibited veratridine-induced glutamate release in brain slices, as well as glutamate release and neurotoxicity in cultured cortical neurons. BIII 890 CL (3-30 mg/kg s.c.) reduced lesion size in mice and rats when administered 5 min after permanent focal cerebral ischemia at doses that did not impair motor coordination. In contrast to many other agents, BIII 890 CL was neuroprotective in both cortical and subcortical regions of the rat brain. Our results demonstrate that BIII 890 CL is a potent, selective, and highly use-dependent Na(+) channel blocker that protects brain tissue from the deleterious effects of focal cerebral ischemia in rodents.
Introduction to SNB (2012)

This chapter contains sections titled: Why SNB? The Basics Solving Equations The Compute Menu Other Good Stuff Units Plotting Fitting a Curve to Data Differential Equations Problems
Specific learning disability in children with neurofibromatosis type 1 (1994)

To determine whether previously reported areas of increased T2 signal intensity on MRI examination in children with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF 1) are associated with deficits in development and learning common in this population, we evaluated 51 children with NF 1 (aged 8 to 16 years). Forty children completed the full assessment protocol (MRI, medical, psychometric, speech therapy, and occupational therapy assessments). The mean Full Scale IQ scores for the entire study population showed a left shift compared with the normal population, and the distribution of IQ scores was bimodal, suggesting that there are two populations of patients with NF 1--those with and those without a variable degree of cognitive impairment. There was no association between lower IQ scores and any clinical variable. Areas of increased T2 signal intensity unidentified bright objects (UBO+) were present in 62.5% of the study population, and their presence was not related to clinical severity, sex, age, socioeconomic status, macrocephaly, or family history of NF 1. However, compared with children without areas of increased T2 signal intensity (UBO-), the UBO+ group had significantly lower mean values for IQ and language scores and significantly impaired visuomotor integration and coordination. Children with areas of increased T2 signal intensity were at a much higher risk for impaired academic achievement. Children without increased T2 signal on MRI (UBO-) did not significantly differ from the general population in any measure of ability or performance. Areas of increased T2 signal on MRI represent dysplastic glial proliferation and aberrant myelination in the developing brain and are associated with deficits in higher cognitive function.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Polymer‐modified bitumen of recycled LDPE and maleated bitumen (2012)

Abstract Maleated bitumen was prepared by the reaction of penetration grade bitumen (80/100) with maleic anhydride at 150°C for 2 h under nitrogen atmosphere. The effectiveness of maleation was assessed in bitumen–recycled low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) blends in terms of their softening point and elastic recovery. It was observed that the softening point and elastic recovery of the blends increased after maleation of the base bitumen owing to the formation of an asphaltene‐linked‐LDPE system. To obtain the desired elasticity, a recoverable composition was worked out with the help of maleated bitumen, recycled LDPE and styrene–butadiene–styrene. The storage stability of the blends was assessed in terms of their difference in softening points, rheological parameters, and microstructure of the top and bottom portions of test tube samples. The difference in softening point of the recoverable maleated bitumen blend was 5°C as compared to 60°C for the base bitumen blend. The phase angle was also reduced to 7.4° at 70°C compared with the 44.30° for the base bitumen blend. Scanning electron micrographs indicate that polymers existed in both the top and the bottom portions of the aged test tube maleated blend samples. The stability of the blend was further improved when LDPE is colloidal milled with maleic anhydride in the blend preparation. Roofing bitumen was also made with maleated bitumen containing 9 wt % recycled LDPE content. Based on the rheological data, it was found that the maleated bitumen–LDPE blend exhibited superior time‐/temperature‐dependent response and higher creep recovery compared with the base bitumen blend. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2013
On the Use of W-Band for Deep-Space Communications (2003)

In this article, the performance of W-band (90 GHz) over a Deep Space Network’s 34-m beam-waveguide (BWG) antenna is analyzed in terms of its average data return. In order to do so, data were collected from various sources about the performance of various W-band components. In addition, equations for calculating the W-band atmospheric noise temperature from water vapor radiometer 31.4-GHz sky-brightness measurements were obtained. Using these data it is shown that, even if the W-band link is operated optimally, due to weather effects the efficiency of the 34-m BWG antenna needs to be significantly improved from its current 18 percent efficiency to greater than 50 percent efficiency in order for the W-band link to return on the average significantly more (&gt;2 dB) data than an optimum Ka-band link. I.
Magnetic bubble mass memory--Module design and operation (1973)

An experimental magnetic bubble mass memory design is reported. The goal of this project has been to examine the technical feasibility of organizing a multiplicity of chips into a modular design and to learn some of the problems. The module consists of four ceramic substrates, each of which can mount from 1 to 14 chips of up to 20 kbit capacity. 1 to 4 of these populated substrates can be placed into a common drive coil-bias field magnet assembly. The module organization and timing is described and data obtained from the operation of 20 kbit chips at 112 kHz rotating field is given.
Integrated optical proton exchanged TM-pass polarizers in LiNbO/sub 3/: modelling and experimental performance (1995)

Integrated optical TM-pass polarizers operating at wavelengths around /spl lambda/=1.5 /spl mu/m have been realized by introducing proton exchanged regions adjacent to a Ti-indiffused waveguide on X-cut, Y-propagating lithium niobate. Structural investigations of the proton exchanged regions have been carried out by raster electron microscope and optical methods, in order to characterize the index profile created by the proton exchange. Several polarizers with different geometries of the proton exchanged regions have been analysed numerically by employing the beam propagation method (BPM) and the finite element method (FEM). The device performance is shown to depend strongly on the geometrical shape of the outer boundaries of the proton exchanged regions and on their distance to the channel waveguide. Experimental results are given for several samples with different gaps between the optical waveguide and the proton exchanged regions as well as for different annealing times. For a proper device design a TE-extinction of -26 dB and a TM-excess loss of only 1.2 dB have been obtained experimentally.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">></ETX>
Effects of Dietary Calcium Supplementation on Blood Pressure (1996)

Calcium supplementation may lead to a small reduction in systolic but not diastolic blood pressure. The results do not exclude a larger, important effect of calcium on blood pressure in subpopulations. In particular, further studies should address the hypothesis that inadequate calcium intake is associated with increased blood pressure that can be corrected with calcium supplementation.
In vitro requirement for periostin in B lymphopoiesis (2011)

B lymphopoiesis arrests in rabbits by 4 months of age. To identify molecules that contribute to this arrest, cDNA-representational difference analysis on BM stromal cells from young and adult rabbits showed that expression of Postn that encodes for the extracellular matrix protein periostin dramatically reduced with age. Postn-small interfering RNA OP9 cells lost their capacity to support B-cell development from rabbit or murine BM cells, and reexpression of periostin restored this potential, indicating an in vitro requirement for periostin in B lymphopoiesis. In our system, we determined that periostin deficiency leads to increased cell death and decreased proliferation of B-lineage progenitors. Further, RGD peptide inhibition of periostin/α(v)β(3) interaction resulted in a marked decrease in B lymphopoiesis in vitro. Microarray analysis of the Postn-small interfering RNA OP9 cells showed decreased expression of key B-lymphopoietic factors, including IL-7 and CXCL12. In vivo, unidentified molecule(s) probably compensate periostin loss because Postn(-/-) mice had normal numbers of B-cell progenitors in BM. We conclude that the decline in periostin expression in adult rabbit BM does not solely explain the arrest of B lymphopoiesis. However, the interaction of periostin with α(v)β(3) on lymphoid progenitors probably provides both proliferative and survival signals for cells in the B-cell development pathway.
Parametric cost estimating model for conceptual cost estimating of building construction projects (2002)

It is well known that decisions at early stages of a construction project have the highest impact on the subsequent project performances.One of the bases for these important decisions is the project's conceptual cost estimate.It is the first serious effort at attempting to predict the cost of the project.Conceptual estimates are made in the early phases of a project before construction drawings are completed, often before they are begun.The primary function of a conceptual estimate is to tell the owner about the anticipated cost, thus being useful information for the owner in contemplating the project feasibility and further project development.vii This research identifies building parameters that significantly influence the cost of building construction projects.The research presents methodologies for data collection, database development, data analyses, and parametric cost estimating model development for the purpose of performing building conceptual cost estimate.The data used in the model development and validation were based on the historical project data collected from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB).The data consist of 168 new building projects, built from 1990 to 2000.The technique of multiple regression analysis is used to develop the parametric cost estimating model by establishing the cost estimating relationships between the building parameters and the building construction cost.The purpose of this study is to develop a reasonably accurate and practical method of systematized conceptual cost estimating that can be used by organizations involved in the planning and execution of construction projects, such as THECB and the offices of facilities planning of the major universities in Texas.The concepts and methodologies presented in the study can also be readily applied to other similar organizations.viii