gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Rate-distortion optimized merge frame using piecewise constant functions (2013)

The ability to efficiently switch from one pre-encoded video stream to another is a valuable attribute for a variety of interactive streaming applications, such as switching among streams of the same video encoded in different bit-rates for real-time bandwidth adaptation, or view-switching among videos capturing the same dynamic 3D scene but from different viewpoints. It is well known that intra-coded I-frames can be used at switch boundaries to facilitate stream-switching. However, the size of an I-frame is large, making frequent insertion impractical. A recent proposal towards a more efficient stream-switching mechanism is distributed source coding (D-SC), which exploits worst-case correlation between a set of potential predictor frames in the decoder buffer (called side information (SI) frames) and a target frame to lower encoding rate. However, the conventional use of bit-plane and channel coding means the encoding and decoding complexity of DSC frames is large. In this paper, we pursue a novel approach to the stream-switching problem based on the concept of “signal merging”, using piecewise constant (p-wc) function as the merge operator. Specifically, we propose a new merge mode for a code block, where for each k-th transform coefficient in the block, we encode appropriate step size and horizontal shift parameters at the encoder, so that the resulting floor function at the decoder can map corresponding coefficients from any SI frame to the same reconstructed value, resulting in an identically merged signal. The selection of shift parameter per coefficient, as well as coding modes between intra and merge per block, are optimized in a rate-distortion (RD) optimal manner. Experiments show encouraging coding gain over a previous implementation of DSC frame at low-to mid-bitrates at reduced computation complexity.
Analysis of true anti-hapten cytotoxic clones in limit dilution microcultures after correction for "anti-self" activity: precursor frequencies, Ly-2 and Thy-1 phenotype, specificity, and statistical methods. (1983)

By the use of split culture techniques we have been able to demonstrate conclusively that the "anti-self" activity and the spontaneous anti-hapten activity within an apparent anti-hapten cytotoxic T cell response is a clonal phenomenon and is not caused by cross-reactivity between anti-self and true anti-hapten clones. With the knowledge of this clonality we have been able formally to prove that the true hapten-generated, hapten-specific response can be obtained by subtracting the response generated by "self" but directed against modified targets from the response generated by modified self and directed against modified targets. Unbiased statistical estimators, which do not make assumptions about the origin (0 responder cells, 100% negative cultures), have been developed to plot accurately limit dilution data (maximal likelihood estimator and minimal chi-square estimator), and the analysis demonstrates that all the components of an apparent anti-hapten response obey zero order (single hit) kinetics. By specifically identifying true anti-hapten and true anti-self clones, we have been able to study the phenotype of their precursors as well as the effectors themselves at the clonal level. Precursors of true anti-hapten and anti-self clones are Thy-1+, Ly-2+. However, anti-hapten and anti-self effector cells show marked clonal variation with respect to Ly-2, as some clones are almost completely insensitive to anti-Ly-2 and complement whereas others show minimal to complete sensitivity. All anti-hapten clones are completely sensitive to anti-Thy-1 and complement, whereas about one-third of anti-self clones show only partial sensitivity, with the most lytic clones showing the most sensitivity. Hapten-specificity and anti-self-specificity have been examined clonally. Ten percent of anti-TNP clones recognize NIP, 10% of anti-NIP clones recognize TNP, and 20% of anti-self clones recognize an allo-target. These figures are in accordance with the overall specificity of effectors generated in bulk culture in the presence of CAS (concanavalin A-stimulated spleen cell conditioned medium). However, hapten specificity and H-2 restriction of bulk generated effectors are improved if CAS is omitted from cultures.
CYP121, CYP51 and associated redox systems in <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i>: towards deconvoluting enzymology of P450 systems in a human pathogen (2006)

An extraordinary array of P450 (cytochrome P450) enzymes are encoded on the genome of the human pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) and in related mycobacteria and actinobacteria. These include the first characterized sterol 14alpha-demethylase P450 (CYP51), a known target for azole and triazole drugs in yeasts and fungi. To date, only two Mtb P450s have been characterized in detail: CYP51 and CYP121. The CYP121 P450 shows structural relationships with P450 enzymes involved in synthesis of polyketide antibiotics. Both P450s exhibit tight binding to a range of azole drugs (e.g. clotrimazole and fluconazole) and the same drugs also have potent effects on growth of mycobacteria (but not of e.g. Escherichia coli). Atomic structures are available for both Mtb CYP51 and CYP121, revealing modes of azole binding and intriguing mechanistic and structural aspects. This paper reviews our current knowledge of these and the other P450 systems in Mtb including recent data relating to the reversible conversion of the CYP51 enzyme between P450 (thiolate-co-ordinated) and P420 (thiol-co-ordinated) species on reduction of the haem iron in the absence of a P450 substrate. The accessory flavoprotein and iron-sulfur proteins required to drive P450 catalysis are also discussed, providing an overview of the current state of knowledge of Mtb P450 redox systems.
ChemInform Abstract: Synthesis of Novel Azonia[5]helicenes Containing Terminal Thiophene Rings. (2001)

Abstract ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 100 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
DNA supercoiling and the anaerobic and growth phase regulation of tonB gene expression (1988)

We show that several interacting environmental factors influence the topology of intracellular DNA. Negative supercoiling of DNA in vivo is increased by anaerobic growth and is also influenced by growth phase. The tonB promoter of Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium was found to be highly sensitive to changes in DNA supercoiling. Expression was increased by novobiocin, an inhibitor of DNA gyrase, and was decreased by factors which increase DNA superhelicity. Expression of the plasmid-encoded tonB gene was enhanced by gamma delta insertions in cis in a distance- and orientation-independent fashion. Both the res site and the TnpR protein of gamma delta, which is known to function as a type I topoisomerase, were required for this activation. tonB expression increased during the growth cycle and was reduced by anaerobiosis. There was excellent correlation between tonB expression from a plasmid and the level of supercoiling of that plasmid under a wide range of conditions. The chromosomal tonB gene was regulated in a manner identical to that of the plasmid-encoded gene. Thus, the physiological regulation of tonB expression in response to anaerobiosis and growth phase appears to be mediated by environmentally induced changes in DNA superhelicity.
<i>In situ</i>differential reflectance spectroscopy of thin crystalline films of PTCDA on different substrates (2005)

We report an investigation of the excitonic properties of thin crystalline films of the archetypal organic semiconductor PTCDA (3,4,9,10-perylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride) grown on poly- and single crystalline surfaces. A sensitive setup capable of measuring the optical properties of ultrathin organic molecular crystals via differential reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) is presented. This tool allows to carry out measurements in situ, i.e., during the actual film growth, and over a wide spectral range, even on single crystalline surfaces with high symmetry or metallic surfaces, where widely used techniques like reflection anisotropy spectroscopy (RAS) or fluorescence excitation spectroscopy fail. The spectra obtained by DRS resemble mainly the absorption of the films if transparent substrates are used, which simplifies the analysis. In the case of mono- to multilayer films of PTCDA on single crystalline muscovite mica(0001) and Au(111) substrates, the formation of the solid state absorption from monomer to dimer and further to crystal-like absorption spectra can be monitored.
Leukotriene A4 Hydrolase: A New Target for Anti-inflammatory Intervention (1997)

Recent pathophysiological and biochemical data indicate that the hydroxyl leukotriene LTB 4 plays an important role in many inflammatory diseases, such as asthma, inflammatory bowel diseases, psoriasis, arthritis, etc. Blockade of LTB 4 biosynthesis and/or actions therefore provides a sensable approach for the development of anti-inflammatory therapeutics. The current biosynthesis inhibitors of LTB 4 , e.g. 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) inhibitors or 5- lipoxygenase activating protein (FLAP) inhibitors, are all non-selective and they also block the synthesis of cysteinyl leukotrienes and lipoxins. This total blockade of 5-LO pathway of arachidonic acid metabolism poses concerns for potentially unwanted effects. Selective inhibition of leukotriene A 4 (LTA 4 ) hydrolase, the key rate-limiting enzyme for the biosynthesis of LTB 4 , would only limit the synthesis of LTB 4 with the synthesis of cysteinyl leukotrienes and lipoxins intact, thus providing an alternative approach for the therapeutic intervention of LTB 4 . This review summaries the current knowledge on the pathological functions of LTB 4 in inflammatory diseases, biochemistry of LTA 4 hydrolase and selective inhibition of LTA 4 hydrolase.
Selection and nuclear immobilization of exportable RNAs (1997)

The intracellular distribution of RNAs depends on interactions of cis-acting nuclear export elements or nuclear retention elements with trans-acting nuclear transport or retention factors. To learn about the relationship between export and retention, we isolated RNAs that are exported from nuclei of Xenopus laevis oocytes even when most RNA export is blocked by an inhibitor of Ran-dependent nucleocytoplasmic transport, the Matrix protein of vesicular stomatitis virus. Export of the selected RNAs is saturable and specific. When present in chimeric RNAs, the selected sequences acted like nuclear export elements in promoting efficient export of RNAs that otherwise are not exported; the pathway used for export of these chimeric RNAs is that used for the selected RNAs alone. However, these chimeric RNAs, unlike the selected RNAs, were not exported in the presence of Matrix protein; thus, the nonselected sequences can cause retention of the selected RNA sequences under conditions of impaired nucleocytoplasmic transport. We propose that most RNAs are transiently immobilized in the nucleus and that release of these RNAs is an essential and early step in export. Release correlates with functional Ran-dependent transport, and the lack of export of chimeric RNAs may result from interference with the Ran system.
Endogenous ouabain, sodium balance and blood pressure: a review and a hypothesis (1996)

The human circulation contains a closely related isomer of ouabain of putative adrenocortical origin. Elevated circulating levels of this 'endogenous ouabain' are common but not universal in physiologic and pathologic states associated with positive sodium balance or high blood pressure, or both. In the absence of adrenal hyperfunction, elevating circulating levels of endogenous ouabain appear to be secondary to impaired renal clearance. Prolonged elevation of circulating ouabain in the rat induces sustained hypertension. This model exhibits normal plasma renin activity, increased levels of ouabain in the hypothalamus, pituitary, and kidney, and responds to angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor. In rats with normal kidney function, ouabain-induced hypertension is primarily sodium-insensitive although maneuvers that hinder renal sodium excretion augment the pressor effect of this steroid. Prolonged administration of ouabain into the brain ventricles augments sympathetic nervous system activity and induces sustained hypertension. These observations lead us to propose the following hypothesis. Among Caucasian patients with essential hypertension, a large fraction have elevated circulating levels of endogenous ouabain, possibly caused by an inherited or acquired renal defect in clearance of this steroid. In these patients, and in rats with ouabain-induced hypertension, increased local generation of, or increased target organ sensitivity to, angiotensin II, or both, may contribute critically to heightened vasoconstriction and a sustained increase in blood pressure. Investigations of the efferent pressor mechanisms and the renal handling of endogenous ouabain are novel approaches to the etiology and therapy of several common cardiovascular disorders.
A human coronavirus evolves antigenically to escape antibody immunity (2020)

Abstract There is intense interest in antibody immunity to coronaviruses. However, it is unknown if coronaviruses evolve to escape such immunity, and if so, how rapidly. Here we address this question by characterizing the historical evolution of human coronavirus 229E. We identify human sera from the 1980s and 1990s that have neutralizing titers against contemporaneous 229E that are comparable to the anti-SARS-CoV-2 titers induced by SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination. We test these sera against 229E strains isolated after sera collection, and find that neutralizing titers are lower against these “future” viruses. In some cases, sera that neutralize contemporaneous 229E viral strains with titers >1:100 do not detectably neutralize strains isolated 8–17 years later. The decreased neutralization of “future” viruses is due to antigenic evolution of the viral spike, especially in the receptor-binding domain. If these results extrapolate to other coronaviruses, then it may be advisable to periodically update SARS-CoV-2 vaccines.
New Perspectives on Mechanisms Involved in Generating Epithelial Cell Polarity (1999)

Polarized epithelial cells form barriers that separate biological compartments and regulate homeostasis by controlling ion and solute transport between those compartments. Receptors, ion transporters and channels, signal transduction proteins, and cytoskeletal proteins are organized into functionally and structurally distinct domains of the cell surface, termed apical and basolateral, that face these different compartments. This review is about mechanisms involved in the establishment and maintenance of cell polarity. Previous reports and reviews have adopted a Golgi-centric view of how epithelial cell polarity is established, in which the sorting of apical and basolateral membrane proteins in the Golgi complex is a specialized process in polarized cells, and the generation of cell surface polarity is a direct consequence of this process. Here, we argue that events at the cell surface are fundamental to the generation of cell polarity. We propose that the establishment of structural asymmetry in the plasma membrane is the first, critical event, and subsequently, this asymmetry is reinforced and maintained by delivery of proteins that were constitutively sorted in the Golgi. We propose a hierarchy of stages for establishing cell polarity.
Synthesis, Crystal Structures, and Laser Flash Photolysis of<i>tert</i>-Butyl Aroylperbenzoates<sup>1</sup> (2003)

tert-Butyl aroylperbenzoates (1-7) were synthesized. Single-crystal structures for 2 and 5 show that the perester and benzophenone carbonyl groups are almost coplanar in each. Laser flash photolysis (LFP, lambdaex = 355 nm) of 1-5 in CCl4 produces the corresponding aroylphenyl radicals (9-13). The lifetimes of the para aroyl-substituted phenyl radicals (9-12) are similar (approximately 0.4 micros), but each is shorter lived than the meta aroyl-substituted phenyl radical (13). LFP of 2, 6, and 7 also produces different (tert-butyldioxycarbonylbenzoyl)benzyl radicals (8, 14, and 15, lambdamax approximately 320 nm). The lifetimes of each in CCl4 have been found to be approximately 17-18 micros. The effect of substituents on the quantum yield of decomposition of 1-7 and the lifetimes of 9-13 is discussed.
Renin-angiotensin system and myocardial fibrosis in hypertension: regulation of the myocardial collagen matrix. (1993)

The cardiac interstitium is composed of non-myocyte cells embedded in a highly organized extracellular matrix containing a three-dimensional collagen network which serves to maintain the architecture of the myocardium and determines myocardial stiffness. In hypertensive heart disease, a heterogeneity in myocardial structure, created by the altered behaviour of cardiac fibroblasts responsible for collagen synthesis and degradation, can explain the appearance of diastolic and ultimately systolic dysfunction of the left ventricle. In vivo, circulating and myocardial renin-angiotensin systems (RAS) were found to be involved in the regulation of the structural remodelling of the cardiac interstitium. In vitro, in cultured adult rat cardiac fibroblasts, angiotensin II was shown to stimulate collagen synthesis and to inhibit collagenase activity, which is the key enzyme for collagen degradation. In the SHR-model of primary hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy could be regressed and abnormal myocardial diastolic stiffness, due to interstitial fibrosis, could be restored to normal by inhibition of the myocardial RAS. These antifibrotic or cardioreparative effects of ACE inhibition that occurred irrespective of blood pressure normalization may be valuable in reversing left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in hypertensive heart disease.
Numb Endocytic Adapter Proteins Regulate the Transport and Processing of the Amyloid Precursor Protein in an Isoform-dependent Manner (2008)

Central to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease is the aberrant processing of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) to generate amyloid beta-peptide (Abeta), the principle component of amyloid plaques. The cell fate determinant Numb is a phosphotyrosine binding domain (PTB)-containing endocytic adapter protein that interacts with the carboxyl-terminal domain of APP. The physiological relevance of this interaction is unknown. Mammals produce four alternatively spliced variants of Numb that differ in the length of their PTB and proline-rich region. In the current study, we determined the influence of the four human Numb isoforms on the intracellular trafficking and processing of APP. Stable expression of Numb isoforms that differ in the PTB but not in the proline-rich region results in marked differences in the sorting of APP to the recycling and degradative pathways. Neural cells expressing Numb isoforms that lack the insert in the PTB (short PTB (SPTB)) exhibited marked accumulation of APP in Rab5A-labeled early endosomal and recycling compartments, whereas those expressing isoforms with the insertion in the PTB (long PTB (LPTB)) exhibited reduced amounts of cellular APP and its proteolytic derivatives relative to parental control cells. Neither the activities of the beta- and gamma-secretases nor the expression of APP mRNA were significantly different in the stably transfected cells, suggesting that the differential effects of the Numb proteins on APP metabolism is likely to be secondary to altered APP trafficking. In addition, the expression of SPTB-Numb increases at the expense of LPTB-Numb in neuronal cultures subjected to stress, suggesting a role for Numb in stress-induced Abeta production. Taken together, these results suggest distinct roles for the human Numb isoforms in APP metabolism and may provide a novel potential link between altered Numb isoform expression and increased Abeta generation.
Reinforcement Learning Neural Network to the Problem of Autonomous Mobile Robot Obstacle Avoidance (2005)

An approach to the problem of autonomous mobile robot obstacle avoidance using reinforcement learning neural network is proposed in this paper. Q-learning is one kind of reinforcement learning method that is similar to dynamic programming and the neural network has a powerful ability to store the values. We integrate these two methods with the aim to ensure autonomous robot behavior in complicated unpredictable environment. The simulation results show that the simulated robot using the reinforcement learning neural network can enhance its learning ability obviously and can finish the given task in a complex environment.
Fatal familial insomnia (1992)

Fatal familial insomnia (FFI), a condition characterized by inability to sleep, dysautonomia, motor disturbances, and selective thalamic atrophy is a prion disease linked to a GAC----AAC mutation at codon 178 of the prion gene. These data were obtained from one kindred. We now report a second kindred affected by FFI and carrying the same mutation. The finding of the same disease phenotype and genotype in a second family further validates FFI as a distinct disease entity and a phenotype of the GAC----AAC mutation at codon 178 of the prion gene.
Lightwave multi-channel analog AM video distribution systems (2003)

Device linearity and noise requirements for multichannel amplitude-modulated subcarrier-multiplexing (AM-SCM) lightwave systems are discussed. Laser nonlinearity, most notably second-order distortion, is found to limit the maximum modulation, that can be applied to the laser. The resultant composite second- and third-order distortion can be predicted from conventional two-tone laser linearity measurements. The carrier-to-noise ratio (CNR) for the modulation depth allowed by linearity requirements is found to be limited by intensity noise and noise from the receiver preamplifier.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">></ETX>
Anthraquinones from <i>Polygonum cuspidatum</i> as tyrosinase inhibitors for dermal use (2008)

Four anthraquinones, physcion (1), emodin (2), citreorosein (3) and anthraglycoside B (6), and two stilbenes, resveratrol (4), and piceid (5), were isolated previously from the root of Polygonum cuspidatum. These bioactive compounds were examined for their antityrosinase potency. No antityrosinase activity was detected with treatment using stilbenes. On the other hand, the anthraquinones showed moderate to strong inhibition of tyrosinase. Physcion exhibited the most potent tyrosinase inhibition among the four anthraquinones examined, which was comparable to kojic acid. The ability of anthraquinones to permeate the skin was also examined. Based on the same thermodynamic activity, physcion showed a higher permeation compared with emodin (48-fold), suggesting it as a potent candidate for dermal use. As naturally occurring tyrosinase inhibitors, anthraquinones from P. cuspidatum may be useful as skin-whitening agents to inhibit tyrosinase for dermal use.