gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Improvement of facial skin characteristics using copper oxide containing pillowcases: a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, parallel, randomized study (2009)

Copper plays a key role in several processes of skin formation and regeneration. Copper has been shown to be absorbed through intact skin. We hypothesized that sleeping on fabrics containing copper-impregnated fibres would have a positive cosmetic effect on the skin. The aim of this study was to confirm our hypothesis. A 4-week, double blind, parallel, randomized study was carried out in which 57 volunteers aged 40-60 years used either copper oxide containing pillowcases (0.4% weight/weight) or control pillowcases not containing copper. Photographs were taken by a professional photographer of each participant at the beginning of the study and at 2 and 4 weeks after the commencement of the study. Two expert graders (a dermatologist and a cosmetologist) evaluated the pictures for the effect on several cosmetic facial skin characteristics. The copper-containing pillowcases had a positive effect for the following facial characteristics: reduction of wrinkles (P < 0.001) and crow's feet/fine lines (P < 0.001) and improvement of general appearance (P < 0.001) at both 2 and 4 weeks. The differences were statistically significant (Wilcoxon scores and chi-squared tests). Consistent sleeping for 4 weeks on copper oxide containing pillowcases caused a significant reduction in the appearance of facial wrinkles and crow's feet/fine lines and significant improvement in the appearance of facial skin. In most trial participants, this effect was already noticeable within 2 weeks of using the copper oxide containing pillowcases.
Cloning, Sequence Analysis, and Characterization of the Genes Involved in Isoprimeverose Metabolism in<i>Lactobacillus pentosus</i> (1998)

Two genes, xylP and xylQ, from the xylose regulon of Lactobacillus pentosus were cloned and sequenced. Together with the repressor gene of the regulon, xylR, the xylPQ genes form an operon which is inducible by xylose and which is transcribed from a promoter located 145 bp upstream of xylP. A putative xylR binding site (xylO) and a cre-like element, mediating CcpA-dependent catabolite repression, were found in the promoter region. L. pentosus mutants in which both xylP and xylQ (LPE1) or only xylQ (LPE2) was inactivated retained the ability to ferment xylose but were impaired in their ability to ferment isoprimeverose (alpha-D-xylopyranosyl-(1,6)-D-glucopyranose). Disruption of xylQ resulted specifically in the loss of a membrane-associated alpha-xylosidase activity when LPE1 or LPE2 cells were grown on xylose. In the membrane fraction of wild-type bacteria, alpha-xylosidase could catalyze the hydrolysis of isoprimeverose and p-nitrophenyl-alpha-D-xylopyranoside with apparent Km and Vmax values of 0.2 mM and 446 nmol/min/mg of protein, and 1.3 mM and 54 nmol/min/mg of protein, respectively. The enzyme could also hydrolyze the alpha-xylosidic linkage in xyloglucan oligosaccharides, but neither methyl-alpha-D-xylopyranoside nor alpha-glucosides were substrates. Glucose repressed the synthesis of alpha-xylosidase fivefold, and 80% of this repression was released in an L. pentosus delta ccpA mutant. The alpha-xylosidase gene was also expressed in the absence of xylose when xylR was disrupted.
Supervision and interaction (2006)

This paper presents the design and the implementation of a new tour-guide robot and reports on the first results that have been obtained after its deployment in a permanent exhibition. The project is conducted so as to incrementally enhance the robot functional and decisional capabilities based on the observation of the interaction between the public and the robot. Besides robustness and efficiency in the robot basic navigational abilities in a dynamic environment, our focus was to develop and test a methodology to integrate human-robot interaction abilities in a systematic way. We first present the robot and some of its key design issues. Then, we discuss a number of lessons that we have drawn from its use in interaction with the public and how that serve to refine our design choices and to enhance the robot efficiency and acceptability
The Gly56Arg mutation in NR2E3 accounts for 1-2% of autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa. (2007)

The Gly56Arg mutation in NR2E3 accounts for approximately 1%-2% of adRP, making it one of the more common single mutations in adRP.
Vacuolar Processing Enzymes Are Essential for Proper Processing of Seed Storage Proteins in Arabidopsis thaliana (2003)

The proprotein precursors of storage proteins are post-translationally processed to produce their respective mature forms within the protein storage vacuoles of maturing seeds. To investigate the processing mechanism in vivo, we isolated Arabidopsis mutants that accumulate detectable amounts of the precursors of the storage proteins, 12 S globulins and 2 S albumins, in their seeds. All six mutants isolated have a defect in the beta VPE gene. VPE (vacuolar processing enzyme) is a cysteine proteinase with substrate specificity toward an asparagine residue. We further generated various mutants lacking different VPE isoforms: alpha VPE, beta VPE, and/or gamma VPE. More than 90% of VPE activity is abolished in the beta vpe-3 seeds, and no VPE activity is detected in the alpha vpe-1/beta vpe-3/gamma vpe-1 seeds. The triple mutant seeds accumulate no properly processed mature storage proteins. Instead, large amounts of storage protein precursors are found in the seeds of this mutant. In contrast to beta vpe-3 seeds, which accumulate both precursors and mature storage proteins, the other single (alpha vpe-1 and gamma vpe-1) and double (alpha vpe-1/gamma vpe-1) mutants accumulate no precursors in their seeds at all. Therefore, the vegetative VPEs, alpha VPE and gamma VPE, are not necessary for precursor processing in the presence of beta VPE, but partly compensates for the deficiency in beta VPE in beta vpe-3 seeds. In the absence of functional VPEs, a proportion of pro2S albumin molecules are alternatively cleaved by aspartic proteinase. This cleavage by aspartic proteinase is promoted by the initial processing of pro2S albumins by VPE. Our overall results suggest that seed-type beta VPE is most essential for the processing of storage proteins, and that the vegetative-type VPEs and aspartic proteinase complement beta VPE activity in this processing.
Transcranial direct current stimulation: a new treatment for depression? (2002)

Nitsche MA. Transcranial direct current stimulation: a new treatment for depression? Bipolar Disord 2002: 4(Suppl. 1): 98–99. © Blackwell Munksgaard, 2002
Sore Throat Following Nasal and Oropharyngeal Bradykinin Challenge (1994)

Nasal challenge with bradykinin has been previously reported to cause sore throat. The aim of the present study was to investigate the mechanism of sore throat by comparing the effects of nasal and oropharyngeal challenge with bradykinin on the sensation of sore throat. Twelve healthy volunteers (6 male, 6 female, mean age 29.9 years), were given nasal followed by oropharyngeal challenge with bradykinin. The nasal and oropharyngeal challenges were separated by 1 week and 1 mg of bradykinin dissolved in 10% ethanol in 0.9% saline was administered as a spray to both nasal passages or to the posterior oropharyngeal wall and tonsillar fauces. The same group of volunteers were also given a control nasal challenge with the ethanol/saline vehicle. Subjects were asked to score symptoms of throat irritation using a ten point visual analogue scale with the extremes labelled 'Worst ever throat irritation' and 'No throat irritation', before and at intervals after bradykinin challenge. Nasal challenge with vehicle did not cause any throat irritation, but both nasal and oropharyngeal challenge with bradykinin caused a significant increase in throat irritation scores at 5 and 15 min following challenge when compared with baseline scores. At 30 min following challenge, the throat irritation scores obtained on nasal challenge were significantly greater than those obtained on oropharyngeal challenge. The results demonstrate that nasal challenge with bradykinin causes a sensation of sore throat which is just as intense as that caused by oropharyngeal challenge and with the sensation of sore throat persisting for a longer period on nasal challenge when compared with oropharyngeal challenge.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Modeling Radar Rainfall Estimation Uncertainties: Random Error Model (2009)

Precipitation is a major input in hydrological models. Radar rainfall data compared with rain gauge measurements provide higher spatial and temporal resolutions. However, radar data obtained form reflectivity patterns are subject to various errors such as errors in reflectivity-rainfall (Z-R) relationships, variation in vertical profile of reflectivity, and spatial and temporal sampling among others. Characterization of such uncertainties in radar data and their effects on hydrologic simulations is a challenging issue. The superposition of random error of different sources is one of the main factors in uncertainty of radar estimates. One way to express these uncertainties is to stochastically generate random error fields and impose them on radar measurements in order to obtain an ensemble of radar rainfall estimates. In the present study, radar uncertainty is included in the Z-R relationship whereby radar estimates are perturbed with two error components: purely random error and an error component that is proportional to the magnitude of rainfall rates. Parameters of the model are estimated using the maximum likelihood method in order to account for heteroscedasticity in radar rainfall error estimates. An example implementation of this approached is presented to demonstrate the model performance. The results confirm that the model performs reasonably well in generating an ensemble of radar rainfall fields with similar stochastic characteristics and correlation structure to that of unperturbed radar estimates.
High-performance routing for field-programmable gate arrays (2002)

The advantages of field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) are sometimes eclipsed by a substantial performance penalty due to signal delay through the programmable routing resources. We propose a new FPGA routing construction that directly minimizes source-sink signal propagation delay based on a graph generalization of rectilinear Steiner arborescences (i.e. shortest-paths trees with minimum wirelength). Experimental results indicate that our new heuristic significantly reduces maximum source-to-sink pathlengths while using wirelength competitive with that of Steiner routing.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">></ETX>
<scp>ibex</scp>: An open infrastructure software platform to facilitate collaborative work in radiomics (2015)

The authors successfully implemented IBEX, an open infrastructure software platform that streamlines common radiomics workflow tasks. Its transparency, flexibility, and portability can greatly accelerate the pace of radiomics research and pave the way toward successful clinical translation.
Alternative antifouling biocides (1999)

In response to increasing scientific evidence on the toxicity and occurrence of organotin residues from antifouling paints in the aquatic environment, the use of triorganotin antifouling products was banned on boats of less than 25 m length in many countries during 1987. The use of tributyltin (TBT) products on small boats was superseded by products based on copper, containing organic booster biocides to improve the efficacy of the formulation. Available information and evidence on the occurrence, fate and toxicity of these biocides is reviewed. It is concluded that increased copper concentrations in the aquatic environment, due to the increased use of copper-based antifoulants, do not have significant effects on marine ecosystems. However, lack of validated analytical methods, limited monitoring data, and very little information about the fate and toxicity of the booster biocides in the aquatic environment, make accurate risk assessments in relation to these compounds difficult. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Survival of <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> Inside Neutrophils Contributes to Infection (2000)

Neutrophils have long been regarded as essential for host defense against Staphylococcus aureus infection. However, survival of the pathogen inside various cells, including phagocytes, has been proposed as a mechanism for persistence of this microorganism in certain infections. Therefore, we investigated whether survival of the pathogen inside polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) contributes to the pathogenesis of S. aureus infection. Our data demonstrate that PMN isolated from the site of infection contain viable intracellular organisms and that these infected PMN are sufficient to establish infection in a naive animal. In addition, we show that limiting, but not ablating, PMN migration into the site of infection enhances host defense and that repletion of PMN, as well as promoting PMN influx by CXC chemokine administration, leads to decreased survival of the mice and an increased bacterial burden. Moreover, a global regulator mutant of S. aureus (sar-) that lacks the expression of several virulence factors is less able to survive and/or avoid clearance in the presence of PMN. These data suggest that the ability of S. aureus to exploit the inflammatory response of the host by surviving inside PMN is a virulence mechanism for this pathogen and that modulation of the inflammatory response is sufficient to significantly alter morbidity and mortality induced by S. aureus infection.
Crystal growth and scintillating properties of Pb-doped LiCaAlF<inf>6</inf> (2007)

Using the micro-pulling-down method, undoped and Pb-doped LiCaAlF <inf xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">6</inf> single crystals were grown. Structural parameters studied by X-ray powder diffraction were consistent with P31c space group. High volatility of PbF <inf xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</inf> leads to low dopant concentration, highest level achieved was 0.56 mol% according to electron probe micro-analysis data. Recorded absorption spectra demonstrate intense band within 192–200 nm. Radioluminescence emission at 208 nm shows the decay time of about 19 μs at room temperature.
Membrane potential and gentamicin uptake in Staphylococcus aureus. (1982)

At pH 5.0, the electrical potential (delta psi, interior negative) across the plasma membrane of Staphylococcus aureus exhibits a minimum of -85 to -90 mV; the pH gradient (delta pH, interior alkaline) across the membrane approximates a maximum of about -100 mV. Under these conditions, uptake of the aminoglycoside gentamicin is negligible, and viability of the organism is not impaired by the antibiotic. In contrast, at pH 7.5, at which delta psi is about -130 mV and delta pH is 0, gentamicin uptake is observed and the drug markedly decreases viability. Dramatically, when the ionophore nigericin is added at pH 5.0, gentamicin uptake is induced, there is a striking decrease in viability, and the effect is associated with an increase in delta psi at the expense of delta pH. Consistently, valinomycin, which dissipates delta psi in the presence of potassium, abolishes gentamicin uptake and killing. In addition, from pH 5.0 to pH 7.5, there is a direct relationship between the magnitude of delta psi and both gentamicin uptake and its bactericidal effect. However, a threshold delta psi of -75 to -90 mV is apparently necessary to initiate uptake and killing. These observations provide a strong indication that delta psi plays a critical role in the uptake and antibacterial action of gentamicin and suggest that nigericin-like ionophores may be clinically useful in synergy with aminoglycosides.
Optical low-coherence reflectometry to enhance monte Carlo modeling of skin (1997)

Optical low-coherence reflectometry and confocal microscopy images were taken of the rat dorsal skin flap window model. Blood vessel depths and diameters measured with the two techniques, and preparation thickness determined from reflectometry images, are in reasonable agreement with measurements from histologic sections. Blood vessels appear as areas of low signal when constant-depth reflectometry images are taken at a depth near the center of a vessel, whereas they appear bright when taken close to the blood–dermis boundary. Doppler shift plus increased light absorption in blood, and the blood–dermis index of refraction mismatch, are discussed as possible causes of the dark- and bright-appearing vessels, respectively. One reflectometry image was used to generate an input grid for a novel Monte Carlo analysis program that is capable of determining the light distribution and heat generation @J/m3# within complex blood vessel geometries. The feasibility of imaging skin blood vessel accurately with optical low-coherence tomography, and using the acquired knowledge of blood vessels structure to create more realistic Monte Carlo analyses is demonstrated by the results of the study.
A High Performance Liquid Chromatographic Method for the Simultaneous Assay of aspirin, Caffeine, Dihydrocodeine Bitartrate and Promethazine Hydrochloride in a Capsule Formulation (1985)

A method for the simultaneous quantitation of aspirin, caffeine, dihydrocodeine bitartrate and promethazine HCl was developed using reversed-phase, solvent-programming high-performance liquid chromatography. Linear gradient elution with acetonitrile in phosphate buffer (from 15:85 to 56:44) allowed all compounds to elute from a C-18 column within 7 min with adequate resolution. This method also allowed the resolution and quantitation of salicylic acid, the principle decomposition product of aspirin. CV% of eight determinations each of aspirin, caffeine, dihydrocodeine bitartrate and promethazine HCl are 0.64, 1.25, 3.37 and 1.72, respectively, and percent recoveries from spiked preparations were 100.25, 100.03, 100.45 and 98.00, respectively. This assay method was shown also to be suitable for dissolution studies with water or acetate buffer as the dissolution medium.
Factors Influencing the Kinetics of Esterification of Fatty Acids over Solid Acid Catalysts (2011)

The kinetics of esterification of fatty acids with alcohols over three different solid acid catalysts, viz., large pore zeolite-β (Hβ), micro-mesoporous Fe–Zn double-metal cyanide (DMC), and mesoporous Al-MCM-41, have been reported. Hydrophobicity of these catalysts increases in the order: Al-MCM-41 < Hβ < DMC. The chain lengths of the fatty acid (C8.0–C18.1) and alcohol (C1–C8) molecules have been varied, and their influence on kinetic parameters has been studied. The present study reveals that porosity and surface hydrophobicity of the catalyst are the two important factors other than acid properties (concentration and strength of acid centers) that influence the esterification reaction.
Liberalizing Indian agriculture : an agenda for reform (1993)

In July 1991, India embarked on a program of economic decontrol that greatly speeded the previously slow process of liberalizing trade and domestic regulatory controls begun in 1978. But the focus of reform has been on manufacturing. Reform has barely touched agriculture, which accounts for two-thirds of employment in India and about 30 percent of India's GDP. Although some crops (notably oilseeds) receive heavy protection, the net effect of interventions to date is to heavily favor manufacturing over agriculture. In this agenda for reform, the authors offer recommendations: Remove all quantitative export and import controls on agriculture, except for special treatment (such as export taxes) when Indian exports would be substantial enough to depress world prices (most likely with rice). Further reduce protection on manufacturing, rather than bring protection for agriculture up to the same level. As a transitional measure, consider the use of variable tariffs based on weighted averages of past international prices as a way to partly insulate domestic prices from extreme fluctuations in world prices. Initially allow the export only of high quality high priced varieties of such commodities as cotton and rice, to limit upward pressures on domestic prices of lower quality varieties, which are important to consumption in low income Indian households. Liberalizing fertilizingr imports and deregulating domestic manufacturing and the distribution of fertilizingrs. Remove subsidies on irrigations, electricity, and credit (and create conditions to facilitate the trading of canal irrigation water rights). Deregulate the wheat, rice, oil and oilseed industries, and abolish compulsory government acquisition at below market prices of sugar, molasses, and milled rice. Reform the food security system to protect low income groups from the increase in the general level of food prices required by the liberalization of agriculture. This would involve better targeting of food subsidies and associated reforms of the public distribution system, or even its eventual replacement by a food stamp system.
The Sesquicentennial of Four European Translations of the Book of Mormon (2002)

Introduction to the following four articles on early translations of the Book of Mormon into French, German, Italian, and French.
THE EFFICIENCY OF MIXTURES OF BARIUM AND CALCIUM HYDROXIDES IN THE ABSORPTION OF CARBON DIOXIDE IN REBREATHING APPLIANCES (1942)

From the Departments of Anesthesia of the Charity Hospital of Louisiana at New Orleans, and of Methodist Hospital, Brooklyn, N. Y., and the Department of Surgery, School of Medicine Louisiana State University, New Orleans.
Synthesis of 11H-pyridocarbazoles and derivatives. Comparison of their DNA binding and antitumor activity with those of 6H- and 7H-pyridocarbazoles (1986)

The 8-methoxy- and 8-hydroxy-11H-pyrido[2,3-a]-, -[3,4-a]-, -[4,3-a]-, and [3,2-a]carbazoles were synthesized as potential DNA intercalating antitumor drugs. The structure of these compounds was confirmed by 1H NMR study including NOE experiments. The DNA binding properties of substituted and unsubstituted (8-H) heterocycles were determined by using their hydrochlorides or methiodides. These derivatives are able to bind to DNA with an affinity varying from 2.0 X 10(4) to 1.0 X 10(6) M-1, but most of them are unable to intercalate in contrast with the behavior of 6H- and 7H-pyridocarbazole analogues. The cytotoxicity of 11H-pyridocarbazoles, measured on L1210 cells in vitro, is much lower than those of 6H- and 7H-pyridocarbazole analogues.
Identification of four VP4 serological types (P serotypes) of bovine rotavirus using viral reassortants (1992)

A series of five reassortant viruses each containing the VP4 gene of a distinct bovine rotavirus and the VP7 gene of human rotavirus strain ST3 was prepared, and antisera to these were produced in rabbits. In neutralization tests, these antisera allowed the differentiation of the five original strains (from three different VP7 or G serotypes) into three or possibly four VP4 or P serotypes. All of a further seven bovine rotavirus strains adapted to cell culture were successfully typed by these antisera. There was a degree of cross-reaction between antiserum to the fourth bovine rotavirus P serotype and the predominant human rotavirus serotype. However, antisera raised in guinea-pigs to recombinant VP4 from this serotype showed the bovine serotype to be distinct. There was no significant serological relationship between these four bovine rotavirus P serotypes and previously described P serotypes from rotaviruses isolated from man and non-bovine animals. The predominant bovine rotavirus VP7 serotypes G6 and G10 tended to have distinct P serotypes also.