gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Extract of Oregano, Coffee, Thyme, Clove, and Walnuts Inhibits NF-κB in Monocytes and in Transgenic Reporter Mice (2010)

The transcription factor NF-kappaB is a promising target for chemoprevention. Several dietary plants are efficient inhibitors of NF-kappaB activation in vitro and could act synergistically on the NF-kappaB signaling pathway. In this study, we tested whether dietary plant extracts could inhibit NF-kappaB activation in a synergistic manner in vitro. Second, we investigated the potency of the same dietary plant extracts in the inhibition of NF-kappaB activation in vivo. A combined extract of clove, oregano, thyme, walnuts, and coffee synergistically inhibited lipopolysaccaride (LPS)-induced NF-kappaB activation in a monocytic cell line, compared with the sum of effects from the single extracts. Transgenic NF-kappaB luciferase reporter mice were given a single dose of the combined extract and subsequently challenged with LPS. NF-kappaB activation was monitored by in vivo imaging for 6 hours. In addition, NF-kappaB activity in organs and the expression of immune-related genes in liver were investigated. Based on the area under the curve, the extract decreased whole body LPS-induced NF-kappaB activity the first 6 hours by 35% compared with control mice. Organ-specific NF-kappaB activation was inhibited in intestine, liver, testis, and epididymis of the mice receiving the combination extract. In addition, dietary plants reduced the expression of genes related to inflammation, cell migration, and proliferation in liver. This study shows that dietary plants may be potent modulators of NF-kappaB signaling both in vitro and in vivo, and thus support further investigation of consumption of these plant foods as part of a healthy diet or as a mode of chemoprevention.
Studies on DNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase from Escherichia coli. 1. The Mechanism of Polyamine Induced Stimulation of Enzyme Activity (1968)

The effect of spermidine and spermine on the synthesis of RNA in vitro by RNA-polymerase from Escherichia coli has been studied. Spermidine did not change the pH optimum of the reaction. With a high ratio of DNA to polymerase in the reaction mixture, maximal stimulation was observed at a spermidine concentration of 0.8 mM and spermine concentration of 0.3 mM. Under these conditions spermidine increased the initial velocity and the extent of the reaction. When the weight ratio of DNA to enzyme was low, the same concentration of spermidine increased the extent, but not the initial velocity of the reaction. If the reaction was primed by denatured DNA, spermidine did not stimulate the synthesis of RNA. A slight inhibition was observed at low concentrations of the template. Spermidine counteracted the inhibitory effect of RNA added to the reaction mixture before the start of the reaction. Models based on these results are proposed to explain the mechanisms of polyamine induced stimulation of RNA polymerase activity.
Towards automatic construction of staged compilers (2002)

Some compilation systems, such as offline partial evaluators and selective dynamic compilation systems, support staged optimizations. A staged optimization is one where a logically single optimization is broken up into stages, with the early stage(s) performing preplanning set-up work, given any available partial knowledge about the program to be compiled, and the final stage completing the optimization. The final stage can be much faster than the original optimization by having much of its work performed by the early stages. A key limitation of current staged optimizers is that they are written by hand, sometimes in an ad hoc manner. We have developed a framework called the Staged Compilation Framework (SCF) for systematically and automatically converting single-stage optimizations into staged versions. The framework is based on a combination of aggressive partial evaluation and dead-assignment elimination. We have implemented SCF in Standard ML. A preliminary evaluation shows that SCF can speed up classical optimization of some commonly used C functions by up to 12× (and typically between 4.5× and 5.5×).
Differential Contributions of APC Subsets to T Cell Activation in Nonobese Diabetic Mice (2008)

Despite the pivotal role of dendritic cells (DC) in shaping immunity, little is known about their functionality in type 1 diabetes. Moreover, due to the paucity of DC in vivo, functional studies have relied largely upon in vitro-expanded cells to elucidate type 1 diabetes-associated functional abnormalities. In this study, we provide a comprehensive analysis of the functional capabilities of in vivo-derived DC subsets from NOD mice by comparing DC to other NOD APC types and to DC from autoimmune-resistant strains. NOD DC closely resemble those from nonautoimmune strains with respect to costimulation and cytokine production. The exception is the CD8alpha(+)CD11b(-)DC subset which is numerically reduced in NOD spleens, but not in the pancreatic lymph nodes, while DC from both tissues produce little IL-12 in this strain. This defect results in unusual deferral toward macrophage-derived IL-12 in NOD mice; NOD macrophages produce aberrantly high IL-12 levels that can overcompensate for the DC defect in Th1 polarization. APC subset use for autoantigen presentation also differs in NOD mice. NOD B cells overshadow DC at activating islet-reactive T cells, whereas DC and B cells in NOD-resistant mice are functionally comparable. Differential involvement of APC subsets in T cell activation and tolerance induction may prove to be a crucial factor in the selection and expansion of autoreactive T cells.
Influence of people shadowing on optimal deployment of WLAN access points (2005)

With their low cost and high-speed data rate capabilities, installations of IEEE 802.11-based wireless local area networks (WLANs) are growing exponentially. Although many organizations have started using WLANs, there are still very few tools available that can help the design of WLAN networks. As a result, the current deployment remains ad-hoc in nature. The objective of this work is to develop modeling tools for performance optimization of WLAN networks and WLAN access points. In particular, propagation models are available that can predict the signal strength and interference in a WLAN system by taking into account environment specific parameters such as the structure of the building, presence or absence of stationary obstacles etc. This paper investigates the influence of moving obstacles, such as people, on radio wave propagation inside a building and the effect on received signal quality in a WLAN. Our findings suggest that the presence of moving obstacles seriously affects the performance of the system by introducing heavy variations in the received signal strength.
SMPTE Tutorial Paper: Front-Projection Screens: Properties and Applications (1986)

Information about front-projection screens is provided in an attempt to improve the screen design, in particular for 3-D theaters, as well as for other general front-projection applications. Topics discussed include: a comparison of typical screens (used flat) and their characteristics; optical laws applying to front projection; the “no-free-lunch-in-optics” law; the effects of tinting the screen; the effects of changing screen gain and screen shape; the shape of the ideal front-projection screen, the ellipsoid; its practical alternative, the sphere, and ways to construct it; the acoustics of a spherical screen; and focusing on a spherical screen.
Comparison of five modes of carrying a load close to the trunk (1985)

Abstract This study was designed to investigate the cardiorespiratory, metabolic, and subjective responses to carrying a load close to the trunk in five different ways. Each of five subjects carried a load equivalent to 35% body weight (BW) for one hour at 4-5 km hr−1 and 0%grade on a motor driven treadmill using each of the following modes of load carriage: (1) the total load carried in a backpack with frame (BP/F), (2) the total load carried in a backpack with no frame (BP/NF), (3) half the load in a backpack (with frame) and half in pouches attached to a waist belt (BP/WB), (4) half the load in a backpack (with frame) and half in a front pack on the chest (BP/FP), and (5) the total load carried as a trunk jacket (TJ), i.e. a military type ‘flak’ jacket with weights inserted in pockets evenly distributed about the trunk. There were no statistically significant differences in the mean cardiorespiratory and metabolic costs associated with each of the five modes of load carriage. However, BP/FP and TJ were subjectively rated as significantly (P < 001) more comfortable than BP/F and BP/NF, suggesting that there may be physiological differences between the five modes of load carriage which were not detected by the cardiorespiratory and metabolic measurements used in this study (i.e. heart rate, oxygen consumption and minute ventilation). In contrast, the BP/FP was reported to be the hardest to don and doff and was associated with a statistically significant (P <0-05) restrictive type of ventilatory impairment. In conclusion, in practical terms there may seldom be a single ‘best’ way to carry a 35% BW load close to the trunk.
Synthesis and Cytotoxic Evaluation of a Series of 2-Amino-Naphthoquinones against Human Cancer Cells (2014)

The cytotoxicity of a series of aminonaphthoquinones resulting from the reaction of suitable aminoacids with 1,4-naphthoquinone was assayed against SF-295 (glioblastoma), MDAMB-435 (breast), HCT-8 (colon), HCT-116 (colon), HL-60 (leukemia), OVCAR-8 (ovarian), NCI-H358M (bronchoalveolar lung carcinoma) and PC3-M (prostate) cancer cells and also against PBMC (peripheral blood mononuclear cells). The results demonstrated that all the synthetic aminonaphthoquinones had relevant cytotoxic activity against all human cancer lines used in this experiment. Five of the compounds showed high cytotoxicity and selectivity against all cancer cell lines tested (IC50 = 0.49 to 3.89 µg·mL-1). The title compounds were less toxic to PBMC, since IC50 was 1.5 to eighteen times higher (IC50 = 5.51 to 17.61 µg·mL-1) than values shown by tumour cell lines. The mechanism of cell growth inhibition and structure-activity relationships remains as a target for future investigations.
Use of a small-scale nutrient-film hydroponic technique to reduce mineral accumulation in aquarium water (1991)

Abstract. The feasibility of using a smalt nutrient-film hydroponic technique hydroponics unit as a mineral filter for a recirculating aquarium system has been Investigated. The aquarium in question employed microbial biofilters to convert ammonia and waste materials to a mineralized form, particularly nitrates. A recirculating NFT system was designed using a 40-l capacity catchment refilled at weekly intervals from the aquarium, which was stocked with common carp, Cyprinus carpio L. and rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum). Four crop species were grown (garden peas, Pisum sativum L., lettuce, Lactuca sativa L., watercress. Nasturtium officinale R., and barley, Hordeum vulgare L.) with no additional nutrient supply. A control system was set up using tap water. Although yields were not as high as seen in commercial NFT systems the aquarium water-fed system produced viable plants, with higher yields and better quality than seen in the controls. At the same time mineral levels, especially nitrates, were reduced. If the unit was incorporated into the aquarium filter system as a single passage unit, water quality could be maintained, together with the production of a useful crop. The data obtained in the present study are compared with previous reports on the use of hydroponics in conjunction with fish culture.
Comparison of the Long-Term Outcomes Between Incontinent Men and Women Treated With Artificial Urinary Sphincter (2006)

There were no differences in overall satisfactory continence and device failure rates. However, women have a higher dry rate (0 pad use) and longer functioning device duration compared to their male counterparts.
A pricing and accounting software architecture for QoS guaranteed services on a multidomain network (2001)

There is a need for a pricing and accounting mechanism that allows for fair competition between network providers in order to sustain the continued development of networks. In this paper, the authors discuss revenue flow for communications fees in connectionless services in a multidomain network. The authors propose an accounting system using a Network Access Agent (NAgent) that stands between users and network providers in a network and a pricing system based on the amount of usage in a QoS-guaranteed service as a comprehensive accounting mechanism based on the number of packets sent and received between domains in a best-effort-type service. In addition, the authors describe the NAgent software architecture based on the TINA business model. © 2000 Scripta Technica, Electron Comm Jpn Pt 1, 84(3): 38–47, 2001
Pioglitazone inhibits the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines in astrocytes stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (2015)

Neuroinflammation caused by the secretion of cytokines and chemokines by glial cells can promote the development of neurodegenerative disorders. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of pioglitazone (Pio), a drug that induces release of inflammatory mediators, on cytokine and chemokine secretion in astrocytes stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce inflammation. Astrocytes obtained from the cerebral cortex of newborn C57BL/6 mice and grown in culture were stimulated with LPS and treated with Pio. Treatment of astrocytes with LPS significantly increased the levels of pro-inflammatory factors nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and IL-8, but decreased the level of anti-inflammatory factors IL-4 and IL-10 (p < 0.05) compared to untreated control astrocytes. Pio treatment in LPS-stimulated astrocytes had the opposite effect, inhibiting secretion of NO, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 and enhancing IL-4 and IL-10 secretion (p < 0.05). In addition, Pio treatment suppressed the expression of pro-inflammatory chemokines Ccl20, Mcp-1, and Mip-1α mRNA in astrocytes stimulated with LPS (p < 0.05). These results showed that Pio can inhibit the neuroinflammatory response in LPS-activated astrocytes and this response may result from the regulation of cytokine and chemokine secretion from astrocytes.
Purposeful heading during a season does not influence cognitive function or balance in female soccer players (2007)

Soccer participation, especially among females, is growing in popularity in the United States. Purposeful heading, an important soccer skill, has recently been scrutinized for safety reasons. The purpose of this study was to determine whether there was a relationship between purposeful heading and scores on cognitive function and balance in high school and collegiate female soccer players. Prior to and following the soccer season, all players and members of the control group were given a battery of neuropsychological and balance tests. There were no significant correlations found between the total number of game headers and performance on either balance or neuropsychological testing.Differences were noted in adjusted balance scores postseason between the collegiate players and the other two groups.However, no differences were revealed in neurocognitive performance between the three groups.
The Impact of Information Technology on the Work Place (2018)

This chapter is based on the UK contribution to a three nation study – in Denmark, the Federal Republic of Germany, and the UK – sponsored by the European Community. It investigates the extent to which the introduction of information technology imposed social control on the individuals who worked with the new technology. The chapter explains an enormous increase in the use of computers for company data processing in Europe. The project took the form of some general observations of the issues raised, based on a study of research carried out in the UK, on relevant technical literature and on discussion with experts. Empirical research into the impact of information technology on enterprises and their workers bristles with methodological difficulties. The chapter provides increased awareness of the enduring characteristic of new technology, both as a general phenomenon and as one which raises very specific organisational issues relating to information systems development, and the success of organisations in exploiting the technology.
Flow Cytometric Quantification of Competitive Reverse Transcription-PCR Products (2002)

The flow cytometric assay for the quantification of competitive RT-PCR products avoids additional hybridization steps and antibody labeling. The use of paramagnetic microparticles would also enable the complete automation of this method.
An alpha-mercaptoacrylic acid derivative is a selective nonpeptide cell-permeable calpain inhibitor and is neuroprotective. (1996)

Overactivation of calcium-activated neutral protease (calpain) has been implicated in the pathophysiology of several degenerative conditions, including stroke, myocardial ischemia, neuromuscular degeneration, and cataract formation. Alpha-mercaptoacrylate derivatives (exemplified by PD150606), with potent and selective inhibitory actions against calpain, have been identified. PD150606 exhibits the following characteristics: (i) Ki values for mu- and m-calpains of 0.21 microM and 0.37 microM, respectively, (ii) high specificity for calpains relative to other proteases, (iii) uncompetitive inhibition with respect to substrate, and (iv) it does not shield calpain against inactivation by the active-site inhibitor trans-(epoxysuccinyl)-L-leucyl-amido-3-methylbutane, suggesting a nonactive site action for PD150606. The recombinant calcium-binding domain from each of the large or small subunits of mu-calpain was found to interact with PD150606. In low micromolar range, PD15O6O6 inhibited calpain activity in two intact cell systems. The neuroprotective effects of this class of compound were also demonstrated by the ability of PD150606 to attenuate hypoxic/hypoglycemic injury to cerebrocortical neurons in culture and excitotoxic injury to Purkinje cells in cerebellar slices.
[Time-dependent effects of interleukin-8 gene expression in endothelial cells exposed on fluid shear stress]. (2002)

Fluid shear stress plays an important role in vascular biology. In vivo, endothelial cells are continuously exposed to mechanical shear stress generated by the flowing blood. Previous studies have identified the exposure of vascular endothelial cells to fluid mechanical forces can modulate the expression of many genes involved in vascular physiology and pathophysiology. To investigate the role of fluid shear stress on IL-8 expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), we employed quantitative reversal transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) to assay the expression of IL-8 mRNA. Here we show that IL-8 mRNA did not express in HUVECs untreated with fluid shear stress. IL-8 mRNA expression increased when HUVECs exposed to fluid shear stress for 1 h, and it reached the summit when HUVECs exposed to fluid shear stress for 2 h. Then IL-8 expression gradually decreased at 3 h of stimulation by shear stress and remained at a constant level throughout the time course of the study. The increase of IL-8 expression by shear stress was time-dependent. The biphasic response of IL-8 gene expression was found in experiments in which the applied shear stress was 2.23 dyne/cm2, 4.20 dyne/cm2, or 6.08 dyne/cm2. IL-8 gene expression in response to shear stress was very similar to NF-kappa B in response to shear stress. The induction of IL-8 gene expression by fluid shear stress is probably due to the activation of NF-kappa B. This in vitro study demonstrates the expression of IL-8 gene can be regulated by shear stress. Fluid shear stress induces a biphasic response of human IL-8 gene expression in HUVECs. These considerations suggest that IL-8 expression induced by fluid shear stress in HUVECs may play an important role in the genesis and development of both inflammation and arterioatherosclerosis.
Similarity (2015)

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The use of New York cotton futures contracts to hedge cotton price risk in developing countries (1994)

Cotton exports account for a significant share of commodity exports for some developing countries, especially in West Africa and Central Asia. In these countries, dependency on cotton for export revenues has increased in the past 20 years. These countries therefore have a high exposure to cotton price volatility. Cotton-producing developing countries and economies in transition make little use of hedging mechanisms to reduce risk from the volatility of cotton export revenues. Countries in Francophone West Africa use forward sales to hedge but only for a small share of the crop. These countries could use cotton futures and options contracts to hedge against short- to medium-term price volatility, making cotton export revenues more predictable. Cotton futures and options contracts could also make cotton-related commercial transactions more flexible. (Futures could be sold when there are no buyers in the physical market, for example.) In West Africa, futures and options could complement the existing system of forward sales. The authors examine the feasibility of using New York cotton futures and options contracts as hedging instruments. They base their analysis on a portfolio selection problem in which the hedger selects the optimal proportions of unhedged and hedged output to minimize risk. The results suggest that despite the existence of relatively high basis risk (that is, a relatively low correlation between spot and future prices), hedging reduces cotton price volatility by 30 to 70 percent. Moreover, for all varieties of cotton examined, the hedge ratio (the percentage of exports hedged) was below one. Using a hedge ratio of one (naive hedge), at times, increases rather than decreases risk. The results also show that hedging, while reducing risk, also reduces expected returns. Attitudes toward risk that is, the degree of risk aversion - determine how much of this risk-return tradeoff is acceptable. For a risk-averse agent, the main benefit of hedging lies in risk reduction rather than in the potential for increased returns.
Linear Algebra and Minimum Relative Entropy to Investigate Contamination Events in Drinking Water Systems (2009)

A two-step approach is proposed to assist forensic investigation of possible source locations following a contaminant detection in drinking water systems. Typically this identification problem is ill posed as it has more unknowns than observations. First, linear algebra is employed to rule out potential contaminant injections. Second, an entropic-based Bayesian inversion technique, the minimum relative entropy method, solves for the remaining variables. This formulation allows for the less committed prior distribution with respect to unknown information and can include model uncertainties and measurement errors. The solution is a space-time contaminant concentration probability density function accounting for the various possible injections that may be the cause of the observed data. Besides, a probability measure quantifying the odds of being the actual location of contamination is assigned to each potential source. Effectiveness and features of the method are studied on two example networks.