gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Visible-Light-Mediated Aerobic Oxidation of <i>N</i>-Alkylpyridinium Salts under Organic Photocatalysis (2017)

Quinolones and isoquinolones exhibit diverse biological and pharmaceutical activities, and their synthesis is highly desirable under mild conditions. Here, a highly efficient and environmentally friendly visible light-mediated aerobic oxidation of readily available N-alkylpyridinium salts has been developed with Eosin Y as the organic photocatalyst and air as the terminal oxidant, and the reaction provided quinolones and isoquinolones in good yields. The method shows numerous advantages including mild and environmentally friendly conditions, high efficiency, tolerance of wide functional groups and low cost. Furthermore, 4-desoxylonimide with important pharmaceutical activities was effectively prepared by using our method. Therefore, the present method should provide a novel and useful strategy for synthesis and modification of N-heterocycles.
Influence of Paramagnetic Ions and pH on Proton NMR Relaxation of Biologic Fluids (1986)

The extent to which various concentrations of the paramagnetic metal ions [gadolinium (III), manganese (II), chromium (III), iron (III), nickel (II), copper (II), and cobalt (II)] affect proton magnetic relaxation times of distilled water, 4% human serum albumin (HSA), and dog plasma was studied in vitro. The pH of water and HSA varied from 4 to 8. Nuclear magnetic resonance relaxation parameters, T1 and T2, were measured at 10.7 MHz using inversion recovery and spin-echo radiofrequency sequences, respectively. The presence of Mn(II), Gd(III) and Cr(III) in water significantly reduced T1, while Fe(III), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Co(II) had only a minimal effect. In 4% HSA and dog plasma Mn(II) and Cu(II) had the greatest effect on T1. At neutral pH, Gd(III) and Cr(III) had little effect on T1, while Mn(II) induced a large shortening of T1. All of the metal ions changed T2 less than T1. These differences in proton relaxation enhancement caused by the various ions in the three solutions studied are due to variations in the effective magnetic moment, the degree of binding of the ions to protein, and the chemical form of the ion associated with changes in pH. Thus, it is impossible to predict the effect of metal ions on proton relaxation in vivo based solely on in vitro studies, because of the complexity of various biologic fluids in vivo.
Enhanced spontaneous functional connectivity of the superior temporal gyrus in early deafness (2016)

Early auditory deprivation may drive the auditory cortex into cross-modal processing of non-auditory sensory information. In a recent study, we had shown that early deaf subjects exhibited increased activation in the superior temporal gyrus (STG) bilaterally during visual spatial working memory; however, the changes in the organization of the STG related spontaneous functional network, and their cognitive relevance are still unknown. To clarify this issue, we applied resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging on 42 early deafness (ED) and 40 hearing controls (HC). We also acquired the visual spatial and numerical n-back working memory (WM) information in these subjects. Compared with hearing subjects, the ED exhibited faster reaction time of visual WM tasks in both spatial and numerical domains. Furthermore, ED subjects exhibited significantly increased functional connectivity between the STG (especially of the right hemisphere) and bilateral anterior insula and dorsal anterior cingulated cortex. Finally, the functional connectivity of STG could predict visual spatial WM performance, even after controlling for numerical WM performance. Our findings suggest that early auditory deprivation can strengthen the spontaneous functional connectivity of STG, which may contribute to the cross-modal involvement of this region in visual working memory.
Macroporous Hydrogel Scaffolds for Three-Dimensional Cell Culture and Tissue Engineering (2017)

Hydrogels have been promising candidate scaffolds for cell delivery and tissue engineering due to their tissue-like physical properties and capability for homogeneous cell loading. However, the encapsulated cells are generally entrapped and constrained in the submicron- or nanosized gel networks, seriously limiting cell growth and tissue formation. Meanwhile, the spatially confined settlement inhibits attachment and spreading of anchorage-dependent cells, leading to their apoptosis. In recent years, macroporous hydrogels have attracted increasing attention in use as cell delivery vehicles and tissue engineering scaffolds. The introduction of macropores within gel scaffolds not only improves their permeability for better nutrient transport but also creates space/interface for cell adhesion, proliferation, and extracellular matrix deposition. Herein, we will first review the development of macroporous gel scaffolds and outline the impact of macropores on cell behaviors. In the first part, the advantages and challenges of hydrogels as three-dimensional (3D) cell culture scaffolds will be described. In the second part, the fabrication of various macroporous hydrogels will be presented. Third, the enhancement of cell activities within macroporous gel scaffolds will be discussed. Finally, several crucial factors that are envisaged to propel the improvement of macroporous gel scaffolds are proposed for 3D cell culture and tissue engineering.
Error Weighted Semi-Coupled Hidden Markov Model for Audio-Visual Emotion Recognition (2011)

This paper presents an approach to the automatic recognition of human emotions from audio-visual bimodal signals using an error weighted semi-coupled hidden Markov model (EWSC-HMM). The proposed approach combines an SC-HMM with a state-based bimodal alignment strategy and a Bayesian classifier weighting scheme to obtain the optimal emotion recognition result based on audio-visual bimodal fusion. The state-based bimodal alignment strategy in SC-HMM is proposed to align the temporal relation between audio and visual streams. The Bayesian classifier weighting scheme is then adopted to explore the contributions of the SC-HMM-based classifiers for different audio-visual feature pairs in order to obtain the emotion recognition output. For performance evaluation, two databases are considered: the MHMC posed database and the SEMAINE naturalistic database. Experimental results show that the proposed approach not only outperforms other fusion-based bimodal emotion recognition methods for posed expressions but also provides satisfactory results for naturalistic expressions.
Improved data reconstruction method for GRAPPA (2005)

This paper presents an improved data reconstruction method for generalized autocalibrating partially parallel acquisitions (GRAPPA) using multicolumn multiline interpolation (MCMLI). Both nearest acquired line (ky) neighboring points and column (kx) neighboring points from all components of an array coil were used to reconstruct each missing datum through interpolation. A new fitting scheme was designed to estimate the interpolation weights. Both simulations and in vivo experiments demonstrated that the proposed method yields higher-quality data reconstruction than the original GRAPPA method, especially with high acceleration factors.
Characterization of tissue microstructure using ultrasonic backscatter: Theory and technique for optimization using a Gaussian form factor (2002)

Characterization of tissue microstructure through ultrasonic backscatter is hypothesized to aid in detection and classification of diseased tissues. Radio frequency signals backscattered from tissues can be modeled according to the assumed shape, size, and distribution of scatterers in tissues. Power spectra of rf backscattered signals describe the frequency dependence of scatterers. Experimental measurements of ultrasonic backscatter from spontaneous mammary tumors in rats are obtained over the frequency range of 4 to 12 MHz. The power spectra measured from rat tumors are compared to theoretical power spectra derived from a 3D spatial autocorrelation function assuming a Gaussian distribution. Independent values of average scatterer diameter and acoustic concentration are obtained by approximating the measured power spectrum with a best-fit line. Enhanced B-mode images are made of the rat tumors and surrounding tissues with superimposed regions of interest quantified by estimated average scatterer sizes and acoustic concentrations. Scattering properties estimated inside the tumors and in surrounding tissues are shown to be distinct. Overall, estimates showed a 44.8% increase of average scatterer diameter inside the tumor as compared to tissues outside the tumor. With the exception of one rat, all estimates of the scatterers' average acoustic concentration inside the tumor were less than outside the tumors.
Clinical evaluation of a computerized self-administered hearing test (2012)

The results suggest that the computerized self-administered hearing test is a reliable and valid measure of unmasked air-conduction hearing thresholds.
Improved leaf sequencing reduces segments or monitor units needed to deliver IMRT using multileaf collimators (2001)

Leaf sequencing algorithms may use an unnecessary number of monitor units or segments to generate intensity maps for delivery of intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) using multiple static fields. An integer algorithm was devised to generate a sequence with the fewest possible segments when the minimum number of monitor units are used. Special hardware related restrictions on leaf motion can be incorporated. The algorithm was tested using a benchmark map from the literature and clinical examples. Results were compared to sequences given by the routine of Bortfeld that minimizes monitor units by treating each row independently, and the areal or reducing routines that use fewer segments at the price of more monitor units. The Bortfeld algorithm used on average 58% more segments than provided by the integer algorithm with bidirectional motion and 32% more segments than did an integer algorithm admitting only unidirectional sequences. The areal algorithm used 48% more monitor units and the reducing algorithm used 23% more monitor units than did the bidirectional integer algorithm, while the areal and reducing algorithms used 23% more segments than did the integer algorithm. Improved leaf sequencing algorithms can allow more efficient delivery of static field IMRT. The integer algorithm demonstrates the efficiencies possible with an improved routine and opens a new avenue for development.
Design guidelines for robust Internet protocols (2003)

Robustness has long been a central design goal of the Internet. Much of the initial effort towards robustness focusedon the "fail-stop" model, where node failures are complete and easily detectable by other nodes. The Internet is quite robust against such failures, routinely surviving various catastrophes with only limited outages. This robustness is largely due to the widespread belief in a set of guidelines for critical design decisions such as where to initiate recovery and how to maintain state.However, the Internet remains extremely vulnerable to more arbitrary failures where, through either error or malice, a node issues syntactically correct responses that are not semantically correct. Such failures, some as simple as misconfigured routing state, can seriously undemnine the functioning of the Internet. With the Internet playing such a central role in the global telecommunications infrastructure, this level of vulnerability is no longer acceptable.In this paper we argue that to make the Internet more robust to these kinds of arbitrary failures, we need to change the way we design network protocols. To this end, we propose a set of six design guidelines for improving the network protocol design. These guidelines emerged from a study of past examples of failures, and determining what could have been done to prevent the problem from occurring in the first place. The unifying theme behind the various guidelines is that we need to design protocols more defensively, expecting malicious attack, misimplementation, and misconfiguration at every turn.
TAS-108, a Novel Oral Steroidal Antiestrogenic Agent, Is a Pure Antagonist on Estrogen Receptor α and a Partial Agonist on Estrogen Receptor β with Low Uterotrophic Effect (2005)

Abstract Purpose: Investigators are currently conducting phase II trials on TAS-108, a novel oral steroidal antiestrogenic agent. The purpose of this study is to investigate the molecular and pharmacologic properties of TAS-108 comparedwith other antiestrogenic agents such as tamoxifen,raloxifene, and fulvestrant. Experimental Design: The antagonistic or agonistic activities of these agents against both estrogen receptors (ER) α and β were compared in the reporter assay systems. Their effects on the uterus were evaluated in ovariectomized rat models. The antitumor activity of TAS-108 given p.o. was evaluated in both dimethylbenzanthracene-induced mammary tumor model and human breast cancer MCF-7 cell line xenografts. Results: TAS-108 inhibited the transactivation of ERα under the presence of 17β-estradiol (E2) and did not induce the transactivation of ERα in the absence of E2, unlike the agonistic activity of tamoxifen. On the other hand, it exhibited the most agonistic activity on ERβ among the antiestrogenic agents tested. When given p.o. in the ovariectomized rat, TAS-108 showed a much weaker estrogenic effect on utterine weight compared to tamoxifen, or with similar levels of raloxifene, a selective estrogen receptor modulator. Also, TAS-108 strongly inhibited tumor growth in dimethylbenzanthracene-induced mammary carcinomain the rat, the endogenous E2 model, at a dosage of 1 to 3 mg/kg/day. It also inhibited high exogenous E2, inducing tumor growth against MCF-7 xenografts at a dosage of 1 mg/kg/day without any toxic manifestation. Conclusions: Taken together, p.o. treatment with TAS-108 has a novel mode of action on ERs and inhibits E2-dependent tumor growth with little uterotrophic effect.
Differential use of importin-α isoforms governs cell tropism and host adaptation of influenza virus (2011)

Influenza A viruses are a threat to humans due to their ability to cross species barriers, as illustrated by the 2009 H1N1v pandemic and sporadic H5N1 transmissions. Interspecies transmission requires adaptation of the viral polymerase to importin-α, a cellular protein that mediates transport into the nucleus where transcription and replication of the viral genome takes place. In this study, we analysed replication, host specificity and pathogenicity of avian and mammalian influenza viruses, in importin-α-silenced cells and importin-α-knockout mice, to understand the role of individual importin-α isoforms in adaptation. For efficient virus replication, the polymerase subunit PB2 and the nucleoprotein (NP) of avian viruses required importin-α3, whereas PB2 and NP of mammalian viruses showed importin-α7 specificity. H1N1v replication depended on both, importin-α3 and -α7, suggesting ongoing adaptation of this virus. Thus, differences in importin-α specificity are determinants of host range underlining the importance of the nuclear envelope in interspecies transmission.
Understanding the origins of human cancer (2015)

Analyzing the DNA sequences of more than 12,000 cancer patients revealed signatures of mutational processes
Effect of the oral administration of Lactobacillus brevis subsp. coagulans on interferon-alpha producing capacity in humans. (1996)

Oral administration of live Labre significantly increased IFN-alpha production in a dose-dependent manner. Labre intake tended to be most beneficial in subjects with initially low levels of IFN-alpha production. Heat-treated Labre did not elicit a response similar to that of the live bacteria.
FPGA implementation of PWM pattern generators (2002)

Pulse width modulation is used in power converters to modulate a reference signal into gating pulses for IGBT switches. This conversion can be carried out using analog circuits or digital circuits, such as DSPs and microcontrollers. A more efficient and faster solution is the use of field programmable gate arrays (FPGA). This paper demonstrates how to build a variable pulse-width modulation (PWM) waveform based on Xilinx FPGAs. It involves the design, VHDL coding, functional and timing simulation, and synthesis using Spartan/sup TM/-II FPGAs. Simulation results have proven the design principles and theoretical analysis.
Polymer-Enhanced Foams Part 2: Propagation Through High-Permeability Sandpacks (1994)

SUMMARY In this Part 2 paper on the initial laboratory study and development of polymer-enhanced foams (PEFs), the performance (effective viscosity and mobility control), propagation, and stability of relatively small (0.2 PV) PEF banks (slugs) were studied as they were flooded through long (20 ft), slim-tube-type, high-permeability sandpacks. The objective of this study was to investigate the performance of PEFs under more demanding experimental conditions than the laboratory studies reported in the Part 1 paper of this series. Another explicit goal of this work was to study the performance of PEFs in the presence of crude oil. Results of constant-differential-pressure flooding experiments, conducted at ambient conditions, showed that small (0.2 PV) PEF banks were propagated, were stable, and promoted relatively large effective viscosities and good mobility control during flow through the entire length of the 20-ft-long sandpacks. The high-permeability sandpacks were intended to be a one-dimensional model of a propped fracture. The standard PEF formulation of this study was shown, during these flooding experiments, to perform much better, to be much more propagatable, and to be much more stable than its counterpart conventional foam. The PEFs were also shown during these experiments to be much more stable and functional in the presence of the studied crude oils than their counterpart conventional foams. Aging in a sandpack for 20 days after the PEF bank had been initially injected had little impact on the performance, propagation, and stability of the standard PEF. The PEFs were shown during these flooding experiments to be able to effectively mobilize and recover crude oil, especially a viscous (440 cp) crude oil. Relatively good performance, propagation, and stability of PEF banks during these flooding experiments were observed for PEFs formulated with, respectively, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and methane. Carbon dioxide PEFs were exceptionally effective at promoting large effective viscosities and good mobility control. In addition, they were especially effective at mobilizing and recovering crude oil. For the PEFs of this study, the minimum effective polymer and surfactant concentrations for effective performance in the presence of a crude oil were determined. Minimum polymer and surfactant concentrations required for effective performance were greater in the presence of crude oil, than in the absence of crude oil.
High speed, ion bombarded InGaAs photoconductors (1985)

Studies of the performance of n-InGaAs photoconductive detectors before and after the introduction of recombination sites via ion bombardment are described. An empirical relation between speed of response and bombardment dose by Be ions is established for this material, demonstrating that the response time can be controllably reduced by more than two orders of magnitude below the few nanosecond time which is characteristic of undamaged devices. In this same radiation dose range only moderate mobility deterioration is observed. Greater than unity photoconductive gain is demonstrated for large size (15 μm) devices with a 1/e response time of 400 ps.
Endophytic fungi from medicinal herb Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge and their antimicrobial activity (2013)

A total of 57 endophytic fungal isolates were obtained from the roots of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (Lamiaceae). Fourteen (14) distinct isolates were selected for further taxonomical identification by morphological traits and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rRNA gene sequence analysis. Twelve (12) genera were identified among which Alternaria and Fusarium were dominants. Eight endophytic fungi (that is, Pleosporales sp. Samif02, Leptosphaeria sp. Samif03, Peyronellaea glomerata Samif04, Xylomelasma sp. Samif07, Bionectria ochroleuca Samif08, Sarocladium kiliense Samif11, Petriella setifera Samif13 and Cadophora sp. Samif14) were separated as the endophytic fungi from S. miltiorrhiza for the first time. Most of the fungal isolates were observed to have antibacterial activity that suggests antibacterial compounds mainly exist in mycelia. The ethyl acetate extracts of Alternaria sp. Samif01, Xylomelasma sp. Samif07, Fusarium redolens Samif09, Sarocladium kiliense Samif11 and Petriella setifera Samif13 were also observed to have antifungal activity. Among the isolates, Alternaria sp. Samif01 and Sarocladium kiliense Samif11 were found to have strong antibacterial and antifungal activities. The results indicate that there is a diversity of the endophytic fungi from S. miltiorrhiza, and these endophytic fungi could be an excellent resource for searching natural antimicrobial compounds.   Key words: Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, endophytic fungi, ethyl acetate extracts, antimicrobial activity, antimicrobial compounds.
Examining Potential Therapies Targeting Myocardial Fibrosis through the Inhibition of Transforming Growth Factor-Beta 1 (2007)

After injury, the heart undergoes a remodeling process consisting primarily of myocyte hypertrophy, apoptosis and interstitial fibrosis. Although initially beneficial, excess fibrosis gradually results in alteration of left ventricular properties and cardiac dysfunction. Transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta(1)) is thought to be a primary mediator of fibrosis within the heart after injury. Currently, angiotensin II blockade is used to inhibit the actions of TGF-beta(1). However, recent studies indicate that angiotensin II blockade alone may not be sufficient to prevent TGF-beta(1)-induced fibrosis. Thus far, both in vivo and in vitro models have shown that direct TGF-beta(1) inhibition, NAPDH oxidase inhibitors, growth factors and hormonal treatment regimens targeting TGF-beta(1) may significantly reduce cardiac fibrosis after injury. This study attempts to underline these alternatives to angiotensin II blockade in combating TGF-beta(1)-induced cardiac dysfunction.
Method for Cloning In Vivo Targets of the Egr-1 Transcription Factor (2000)

A methodology is described that allows the in vivo trapping of transcription factors to their target regulatory elements in multiple genes simultaneously. Cross-linking using formaldehyde is the first of several steps to isolate, purify, clone and characterize multiple gene promoter DNA fragments. The example that we use indicates that the TGF beta 1 gene is a direct target induced by Egr-1 in HT1080 cells that express constitutive Egr-1, thus explaining the growth retardation that follows Egr-1 expression. The genes identified using this procedure reflect the specific activities of Egr-1 at that moment in the cell and provide a method for confirmation of genes that are the direct targets of Egr-1 action.