gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Evidence for the involvement of nitric oxide in A<sub>2B</sub>receptor-mediated vasorelaxation of mouse aorta (2006)

We have investigated the role of adenosine and its analogs on vasorelaxation of mouse aorta in intact endothelium with rank order of potency as follows: 5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (NECA) > 2-chloroadenosine > adenosine >> CGS-21680, which is consistent with the profile of A(2B)-adenosine receptor (A(2B)AR). In endothelium-intact tissues, acetylcholine produced relaxation ranging from 65 to 80% in phenylephrine (PE, 10(-7) M)-precontracted mouse aorta, whereas no relaxation was observed in endothelium-denuded tissues. The A(2B)AR antagonist alloxazine (10(-5) M) shifted concentration-response curve for NECA (EC(50) = 0.005 x 10(-5) M) to the right with an EC(50) of 2.8 x 10(-5) M, demonstrating that this relaxation is partially dependent on functional endothelium mediated predominantly via A(2B)AR in this tissue. This conclusion was further supported by the following findings: 1) in the endothelium-intact mouse aorta, the EC(50) values for NECA and adenosine were found to be 0.05 and 1.99 x 10(-4) M, respectively; however, in denuded endothelium, these values were 0.098 and 3.55 x 10(-4) M, respectively; 2) NECA-induced relaxation was significantly blocked by N(G)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME; 10(-4) M) in endothelium-intact tissues, which was reversed by pretreatment with l-arginine (10(-4) M), whereas no significant inhibition was found in endothelium-denuded tissues; 3) total nitrites and nitrates (NOx) in intact endothelium with l-NAME (10(-4) M) alone and in combination with l-arginine were 59% (P < 0.05) and 96%, respectively, in comparison with control (PE + NECA); and 4) endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene expression was found to be 67% (P < 0.05) less in endothelium-denuded as opposed to endothelium-intact mouse aorta. Thus these data demonstrate that adenosine-mediated vasorelaxation is partially dependent on A(2B)AR in mouse aorta.
A low-cost, easy-fabricating stretchable microneedle-electrode array for intramuscular recording and stimulation (2011)

The application of intramuscular electrode technology to a large muscle area, with the inter-electrode distance maintained, has the potential to increase both the controllability and observability of the muscle. To address such a need, this paper presents a simple method for fabricating a novel type of stretchable microneedle-electrode array (sMNEA). The sMNEA is formed by embedding micro-sized, gold-coated nail-head pins between two polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) layers. The nail-head pins function as microneedle electrodes which are sharp enough to penetrate a muscle easily, while the PDMS substrate holds each electrode at a fixed position, conforms to the muscle surface curvature, and stretches along with muscle deformation. Fabrication of the device is cost effective and has a turnaround time of a few hours. The resulting device is robust to bending and stretching, and its placement on and electrode insertion into a muscle are easy and efficient.
A framework for lazy replication in P2P VoD (2008)

Video-on-Demand (VoD) is a compelling application, but costly due to the load it places on servers. Peer-to-peer (P2P) techniques hold the potential to reduce centralized costs by sharing data between peers. There are many difficult design issues associated with P2P for VoD. Viewing the problem as designing a large distributed cache, many of the issues can be expressed in terms of caching algorithms.In an earlier paper [6], we studied the performance of Grid-Cast, a P2P VoD system deployed on CERNET. From system traces, we found that departure misses are the major cause of server load. Motivated by this finding, this paper examines how to use replication to decrease departure misses and thereby further reduce server load.This paper proposes and evaluates a framework for lazy replication. Lazy replication postpones replication, trying to make efficient use of bandwidth. In our framework, two predictors are plugged in to create the working replication algorithm. Lazy replication with several predictors is compared with a naive eager replication algorithm. We find that lazy replication is more efficient than eager replication, even when using two simple predictors. With these two simple predictors, lazy replication can decrease server load by 15% from multivideo caching with only a minor increase in network traffic.
A player engagement model for an augmented reality game (2016)

In this paper, we discuss players' engagement in playing Augmented Reality (AR) games. We present four concepts in playing AR games including: 'Player', 'Play', 'Presence', and 'Place'. We discuss each concept based on the individual user scenario using a case study of Pokémon Go. Based on these concepts, we propose an engagement model for players in playing an AR game, followed by research questions formulated by this study. We also highlight safety issues for AR game players such as Pokémon Go in the real-world. Then, we formulate a research question about players' safety in playing this game. In our future work, we will conduct a user study to investigate the usability, user experience, and safety for players to play AR games in both real and virtual worlds.
A Class of Reduced-Complexity Viterbi Detectors for Partial Response Continuous Phase Modulation (1984)

Partial response continuous phase modulation (CPM) gives constant envelope digital modulation schemes with excellent power spectra. Both narrow main lobe and low spectral tails can be achieved. When these signals are detected in an optimum coherent maximum likelihood sequence detector (Viterbi detector), power efficient schemes can also be designed, sometimes at the expense of receiver complexity. This paper describes a general class of simple Viterbi detectors with reduced complexity compared to the optimum case. The key idea is that the approximate receiver is based on a less complex CPM scheme than the transmitted scheme. The asymptotically optimum reduced-complexity receiver is found for a variety of transmitted schemes and various complexity reduction factors, for a specific class of receivers and modulation indexes. A new distance measure is introduced for the performance analysis. Smooth schemes based on raised cosine pulses are analyzed and simulated for the case of simplified reception. A graceful performance degradation occurs with the reduction of complexity.
Zirconium(IV) Chloride Catalyzed Cyclization of ortho‐Allylphenols: Synthesis of 2‐Methyl‐2,3‐dihydrobenzofurans. (2005)

Abstract For Abstract see ChemInform Abstract in Full Text.
Functionalized Coatings by Electrospinning for Anti-oxidant Food Packaging (2017)

The development of advanced formulations used for food packaging applications, which behave as protection or preservation materials and improve consumers’ health offers a route to reduced food wastage. The present study deals with investigations on the possibility of obtaining functionalized coatings by electrospinning of poly(ɛ-caprolactone), a synthetic biodegradable polymer together with vitamin E (α-tocopherol), selected as plant-based phenolic antioxidant. In this approach electrospinning allows the production of high surface area materials and thus offering an increased antioxidant activity. The electrospun fibres of poly(ɛ-caprolactone)/vitamin E were obtained, studied and their antioxidant properties were evaluated by measuring the fibre reactivity with 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical. The potential for extending the shelf-life of food products by using this approach is discussed.
Interleukin 6 alleviates hepatic steatosis and ischemia/reperfusion injury in mice with fatty liver disease (2004)

Fatty liver, formerly associated predominantly with excessive alcohol intake, is now also recognized as a complication of obesity and an important precursor state to more severe forms of liver pathology including ischemia/reperfusion injury. No standard protocol for treating fatty liver exists at this time. We therefore examined the effects of 10 days of interleukin 6 (IL-6) injection in 3 murine models of fatty liver: leptin deficient ob/ob mice, ethanol-fed mice, and mice fed a high-fat diet. In all 3 models, IL-6 injection decreased steatosis and normalized serum aminotransferase. The beneficial effects of IL-6 treatment in vivo resulted in part from an increase in mitochondrial β oxidation of fatty acid and an increase in hepatic export of triglyceride and cholesterol. However, administration of IL-6 to isolated cultured steatotic hepatocytes failed to decrease lipid contents, suggesting that the beneficial effects of IL-6 in vivo do not result from its effects on hepatocytes alone. IL-6 treatment increased hepatic peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) α and decreased liver and serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α. Finally, 10 days of treatment with IL-6 prevented the susceptibility of fatty livers to warm ischemia/reperfusion injury. In conclusion, long-term IL-6 administration ameliorates fatty livers and protects against warm ischemia/reperfusion fatty liver injury, suggesting the therapeutic potential of IL-6 in treating human fatty liver disease. Supplementary material for this article can be found on the Hepatology website (http://interscience.wiley.com/jpages/0270-9139/suppmat/index.html). (HEPATOLOGY 2004;40:933–941.)
A case of Merkel cell carcinoma presented as a subcutaneous tumor at the right trochanteric region (2003)

We reported a case of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) which developed as a subcutaneous tumor at the right trochanteric region of a 75-year-old man.Histologically, most of the tumor cells were located in the lower dermis and the subcutaneous fat tissue.MCC usually tends to exist in the upper dermis just below the epidermis. This is consistent with the theory that the Merkel cell is originally derived from the epidermis and infiltrates into the upper dermis during the embryonic stage.However, there are several reports that MCC has developed at deeper layers. This phenomenon is very interesting, and it might indicate that there are several types of Merkel cells according to their distribution and function.Although the patient had a large metastatic lesion on the right inguinal lymph node, he has been free from tumors for more than 2-years after the treatment.A new regimen of chemotherapy including 5-fluorourasil, dacarbazine and epirubicine which was combined with surgery and radiation, presumably contributed to his good prognosis. [Skin Cancer (Japan) 2003; 18: 17-21]
Increased resistance to acetaminophen hepatotoxicity in mice lacking glutathione <i>S</i> -transferase Pi (2000)

Overdose of acetaminophen, a widely used analgesic drug, can result in severe hepatotoxicity and is often fatal. This toxic reaction is associated with metabolic activation by the P450 system to form a quinoneimine metabolite, N-acetyl-p-benzoquinoneimine (NAPQI), which covalently binds to proteins and other macromolecules to cause cellular damage. At low doses, NAPQI is efficiently detoxified, principally by conjugation with glutathione, a reaction catalyzed in part by the glutathione S-transferases (GST), such as GST Pi. To assess the role of GST in acetaminophen hepatotoxicity, we examined acetaminophen metabolism and liver damage in mice nulled for GstP (GstP1/P2((-/-))). Contrary to our expectations, instead of being more sensitive, GstP null mice were highly resistant to the hepatotoxic effects of this compound. No significant differences between wild-type (GstP1/P2((+/+))) mice and GstP1/P2((-/-)) nulls in either the rate or route of metabolism, particularly to glutathione conjugates, or in the levels of covalent binding of acetaminophen-reactive metabolites to cellular protein were observed. However, although a similar rapid depletion of hepatic reduced glutathione (GSH) was found in both GstP1/P2((+/+)) and GstP1/P2((-/-)) mice, GSH levels only recovered in the GstP1/P2((-/-)) mice. These data demonstrate that GstP does not contribute in vivo to the formation of glutathione conjugates of acetaminophen but plays a novel and unexpected role in the toxicity of this compound. This study identifies new ways in which GST can modulate cellular sensitivity to toxic effects and suggests that the level of GST Pi may be an important and contributing factor in the sensitivity of patients with acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity.
Nineteenth-Century Britain (2002)

<JATS1:p>The nineetenth century was a period of striking developments, and subject to a great pressure of change. This process of change is the primary focus of the book. Organised into a series of thematic chapters, Black and MacRaild’s wide-ranging text offers the reader an analysis of numerous spheres of human history: politics, empire and warfare; economy, society and population; religion and culture. The book also offers considered treatment of Scotland, Wales and Ireland, with a truly British (as opposed to English) perspective maintained throughout. With numerous illustrations, helpful explanatory tables, boxes and textual inserts, as well as a list of further reading with each chapter, Ninteetenth Century Britain is an excellent introductory text book for students of this most vital period in British history.</JATS1:p>
The <i>Streptococcus mutans</i> Serine/Threonine Kinase, PknB, Regulates Competence Development, Bacteriocin Production, and Cell Wall Metabolism (2010)

Bacteria can detect, transmit, and react to signals from the outside world by using two-component systems (TCS) and serine-threonine kinases and phosphatases. Streptococcus mutans contains one serine-threonine kinase, encoded by pknB. A gene encoding a serine-threonine phosphatase, pppL, is located upstream of pknB. In this study, the phenotypes of pknB and pppL single mutants and a pknB pppL double mutant were characterized. All mutants exhibited a reduction in genetic transformability and biofilm formation, showed abnormal cell shapes, grew slower than the wild-type strain in several complex media, and exhibited reduced acid tolerance. The mutants had reduced cariogenic capacity but no significant defects in colonization in a rat caries model. Whole-genome transcriptome analysis revealed that a pknB mutant showed reduced expression of genes involved in bacteriocin production and genetic competence. Among the genes that were differentially regulated in the pknB mutant, several were likely to be involved in cell wall metabolism. One such gene, SMU.2146c, and two genes encoding bacteriocins were shown to also be downregulated in a vicK mutant, which encodes a sensor kinase involved in the response to oxidative stress. Collectively, the results lead us to speculate that PknB may modulate the activity of the two-component signal transduction systems VicKR and ComDE. Real-time reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) showed that genes downregulated in the pknB mutant were upregulated in the pppL mutant, indicating that PppL serves to counteract PknB.
Controlled fuelling of high density scenarios at ASDEX Upgrade in support of ITER and DEMO (2015)

INTRODUCTION Standard operation in a future fusion reactor will aim to establish a high core density in order to harvest a maximum of output power. In addition, a high separatrix density is essential for achieving the necessary detached divertor scenario [1]. Therefore, in the ITER project and in European DEMO studies [2], core fuelling to planned target densities is envisaged to be performed entirely by injecting pellets formed from frozen fuel and launched from the torus inboard side. On the other hand, the separatrix density will most likely be adjustable by gas puff in these devices, leading to a certain degree of freedom in the control scheme of core and separatrix (edge) density. The development of relevant high-density plasma scenarios and related control strategies capable to cope with pellet actuation became hence an important task within the ASDEX Upgrade (AUG) program [3]. AUG, equipped with a pellet system adapted to efficient inboard fuelling, as well as with a sophisticated discharge control system for flexible real time plasma control and also a versatile set of diagnostics, is very suited for this kind of investigations. Accordingly, a summary of the efforts undertaken will be reported.
Intelligent System for Optimal Hold-Off Time Selection in an Active Quench and Reset IC (2007)

A signal processing circuit using autocorrelation statistics that intelligently selects the optimal hold-off time in an active quench and reset integrated circuit (AQR-IC) is presented. This circuit optimizes the hold-off time to reduce afterpulsing effects in any Geiger-mode avalanche photodiode (GM-APD). The described AQR-IC has a maximum count rate of 20 Mcounts/s, includes a subnanosecond comparator for quickly detecting incident photons, and incorporates a novel technique, based on silicon delay lines, for selecting 1 of 16 predefined, discrete, hold-off times between 5 and 660 ns. The accompanying hold-off time autotuning circuit sets the optimal hold-off time by assigning a 4-b output to the AQR-IC corresponding to the minimization of afterpulse effects in the GM-APD. The configuration sequence completes in a maximum time of 20 s, without operator intervention, and only requires repeating if the GM-APD is changed.
Phenotype-driven strategies for exome prioritization of human Mendelian disease genes (2015)

Whole exome sequencing has altered the way in which rare diseases are diagnosed and disease genes identified. Hundreds of novel disease-associated genes have been characterized by whole exome sequencing in the past five years, yet the identification of disease-causing mutations is often challenging because of the large number of rare variants that are being revealed. Gene prioritization aims to rank the most probable candidate genes towards the top of a list of potentially pathogenic variants. A promising new approach involves the computational comparison of the phenotypic abnormalities of the individual being investigated with those previously associated with human diseases or genetically modified model organisms. In this review, we compare and contrast the strengths and weaknesses of current phenotype-driven computational algorithms, including Phevor, Phen-Gen, eXtasy and two algorithms developed by our groups called PhenIX and Exomiser. Computational phenotype analysis can substantially improve the performance of exome analysis pipelines.
Discovery and Development of the Novel Potent Orally Active Thrombin Inhibitor <i>N</i>-(9-Hydroxy-9-fluorenecarboxy)prolyl <i>trans</i>-4-Aminocyclohexylmethyl Amide (L-372,460):  Coapplication of Structure-Based Design and Rapid Multiple Analogue Synthesis on Solid Support (1998)

Early studies in these laboratories of peptidomimetic structures containing a basic P1 moiety led to the highly potent and selective thrombin inhibitors 2 (Ki = 5.0 nM) and 3 (Ki = 0.1 nM). However, neither attains significant blood levels upon oral administration to rats and dogs. With the aim of improving pharmacokinetic properties via a more diverse database, we devised a resin-based route for the synthesis of analogues of these structures in which the P3 residue is replaced with a range of lipophilic carboxylic amides. Assembly proceeds from the common P2-P1 template 7 linked via an acid-labile carbamate to a polystyrene support. Application of the methodology in a repetitive fashion afforded several interesting analogues out of a collection of some 200 compounds. Among the most potent of the group, N-(9-hydroxy-9-fluorenecarboxy)-prolyl trans-4-aminocyclohexylmethyl amide (L-372,460 8, Ki = 1.5 nM), in addition to being fully efficacious in a rat model of arterial thrombosis at an infusion rate of 10 micrograms/kg/min, exhibits oral bioavailability of 74% in dogs, and oral bioavailability of 39% in monkeys with a serum half-life of just under 4 h. On the basis of its favorable biological properties, inhibitor 8 has been subject to further evaluation as a possible treatment for thrombogenic disorders.
Polarization Division Multiplexing System with Direct Decision for Short Reach Optical Communications (2017)

201802 bcrc
Metal-organic frameworks and their derived materials for electrochemical energy storage and conversion: Promises and challenges (2017)

In addition to their conventional uses, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have recently emerged as an interesting class of functional materials and precursors of inorganic materials for electrochemical energy storage and conversion technologies. This class of MOF-related materials can be broadly categorized into two groups: pristine MOF-based materials and MOF-derived functional materials. Although the diversity in composition and structure leads to diverse and tunable functionalities of MOF-based materials, it appears that much more effort in this emerging field is devoted to synthesizing MOF-derived materials for electrochemical applications. This is in view of two main drawbacks of MOF-based materials: the low conductivity nature and the stability issue. On the contrary, MOF-derived synthesis strategies have substantial advantages in controlling the composition and structure of MOF-derived materials. From this perspective, we review some emerging applications of both groups of MOF-related materials as electrode materials for rechargeable batteries and electrochemical capacitors, efficient electrocatalysts, and even electrolytes for electrochemical devices. By highlighting the advantages and challenges of each class of materials for different applications, we hope to shed some light on the future development of this highly exciting area.
Improved synthesis of SrLiAl<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>:Eu<sup>2+</sup> phosphor using complex nitride raw material (2016)

Narrow band deep-red emission SrLiAl<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>:Eu<sup>2+</sup> phosphor was effectively synthesized using complex nitride Sr<sub>3</sub>Al<sub>2</sub>N<sub>4</sub> and Li<sub>3</sub>AlN<sub>2</sub> as raw materials. The phosphor exhibited strong deep-red emission peaking at 654 nm under excitation at 450 nm.
Robust Nanogenerator Based on Vertically Aligned ZnO Nanorods Using Copper Substrate (2013)

We report the growth of well‐aligned ZnO nanorods that were successfully synthesized on copper (Cu) substrate by using a simple hydrothermal method at low temperature leading to a robust large area nanogenerator (NG) based on cost effective Cu electrode which could enable energy harvest from the walking motions. First, the seed layer of gold (Au) has been deposited by plasma sputtering. Then, the growth process of nanorods was carried out in a sealed chemical bath. The lengths of nanorods 5‐6 μ m were achieved. The longer and bigger nanorods produced a surface with larger contact area and higher roughness. The larger contact area improves the absorption rate of incident light and the rougher surface strengthens the scattering effect. The surfaces were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX). Then, Cu substrate was used for the development of high‐output NG. Twenty‐seven NGs were developed with maximum output voltage that exceeded to 1.8 V and maximum output current that exceeded to 148 nA. The structural simulation of nanorod has also been performed in ANSYS. The Cu substrate‐based NG provides a feasible technique for effectively converting mechanical energies to electrical energy from external force.