gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Thermoelectric properties of electrically stressed Sb/Bi–Sb–Te multilayered films (2010)

Electrically stressed Bi–Sb–Te thin films have demonstrated markedly enhanced Hall mobility and moderately reduced carrier concentration. To lower electrical resistivity further, a Sb-inserted Bi–Sb–Te multilayer structure was prepared through consecutively sputtering Bi–Sb–Te and Sb layers followed by electric current stressing. The electrically stressed Sb/Bi–Sb–Te film demonstrates high carrier concentration and enhanced Hall mobility. We propose that the additional Sb supply suppresses electromigration-induced Sb depletion in crystal lattices, thus maintains high carrier concentration of the Bi–Sb–Te film. The presented approach provides a simple means to optimize thermoelectric properties of Bi–Sb–Te films.
Surface Grafting of PEO‐Based Star‐Shaped Molecules for Bioanalytical and Biomedical Applications (2007)

This article reviews surface grafting of star-shaped PEO. The use of star-shaped polymers is compared to linear PEO chains regarding the layer preparation and the ability of the resulting surfaces to resist protein adsorption. We then focus on the use of end-functionalized, star-shaped, PEO-based prepolymers that are able to form covalent crosslinks and functional polymer networks on the substrate. Examples are given for specific protein adsorption as well as for cell adhesion on such layers by covalent embedding of biofunctional molecules. The possibility of coating biomedically relevant polymer substrates in three-dimensional geometries is discussed and examples are shown for poly(ethylene terephthalate) monofilament constructs.
Broadband, Efficient, Electrically Small Metamaterial-Inspired Antennas Facilitated by Active Near-Field Resonant Parasitic Elements (2009)

The possibility of using an active internal matching element in several types of metamaterial-inspired, electrically small antennas (ESAs) to overcome their inherent narrow bandwidths is demonstrated. Beginning with the Z antenna, which is frequency tunable through its internal lumped element inductor, a circuit model is developed to determine an internal matching network, i.e., a frequency dependent inductor, which leads to the desired enhanced bandwidth performance. An analytical relation between the resonant frequency and the inductor value is determined via curve fitting of the associated HFSS simulation results. With this inductance-frequency relation defining the inductor values, a broad bandwidth, electrically small Z antenna is established. This internal matching network paradigm is then confirmed by applying it to the electrically small stub and canopy antennas. An electrically small canopy antenna with <i xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">k¿</i> = 0.0467 that has over a 10% bandwidth is finally demonstrated. The potential implementation of the required frequency dependent inductor is also explored with a well-defined active negative impedance converter circuit that reproduces the requisite inductance-frequency relations.
Charging and flashover induced by surface polarization relaxation process (1991)

Electric charges trapping into a dielectric medium are described from polarons trapped into sites which are characteristic of the material structure (polaron trap). In terms of susceptibility, that means charges are trapped into sites whose susceptibility is lower than their surrounding environment. The charge trapping produces polarization of the medium. The energy of polarization per embedded charge is estimated to be equal to 5χ (χ being the susceptibility). The surface breakdown of the dielectric is attributed both to charge detrapping and to relaxation of energy of polarization, using the collective many-body process. The consequences of this interpretation are consistent with experiments on surface breakdown performed with a scanning electron microscope. Furthermore, considerations about the improvement of breakdown voltage for dielectric materials are introduced.
Hydrogen Sulfide as Endothelium-Derived Hyperpolarizing Factor Sulfhydrates Potassium Channels (2011)

H(2)S is a major EDHF that causes vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cell hyperpolarization and vasorelaxation by activating the ATP-sensitive, intermediate conductance and small conductance potassium channels through cysteine S-sulfhydration. Because EDHF activity is a principal determinant of vasorelaxation in numerous vascular beds, drugs influencing H(2)S biosynthesis offer therapeutic potential.
Gi down-regulation as a mechanism for heterologous desensitization in adipocytes. (1992)

Prolonged incubation of rat adipocytes with (-)N6-phenylisopropyl adenosine (PIA) (an A1 adenosine receptor agonist) leads to down-regulation of each of the three subtypes of Gi (Green, A., Johnson, J. L., and Milligan, G. (1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265, 5206-5210). To determine whether other inhibitors of adenylylcyclase would have similar actions, we incubated adipocytes in primary culture with PIA, prostaglandin E1 (PGE1), or nicotinic acid. After various times cells were homogenized, and crude membrane fractions were analyzed on Western blots using antipeptide antisera to alpha- and beta-subunits of G-proteins (SG1 (which binds to alpha i1 and alpha i2), I3B (which binds to alpha i3), BN2 (binds to beta-subunits) and CS1 (recognizes forms of alpha s)). PIA and PGE1 caused approximately 90% down-regulation of alpha i1 and alpha i3, and about 50% loss of alpha i2 and beta-subunits. In contrast, nicotinic acid at concentrations up to 1 mM had no effect on levels of any of these Gi subtypes. None of the compounds altered levels of either a 43- or 47-kDa form of alpha s. PIA caused about a 50% decrease in binding of [3H]DPCPX (an A1 adenosine receptor antagonist), indicating adenosine receptor down-regulation; however, neither PGE1 nor nicotinic acid treatment altered [3H]DPCPX binding. None of the treatments affected the activity of adenylylcyclase when measured in the presence of 100 microM forskolin and 10 mM Mn2+, indicating that the catalytic subunit of adenylylcyclase is not altered. To determine whether Gi down-regulation results in heterologous desensitization, we incubated adipocytes with maximally effective concentrations of PIA (300 nM), PGE1 (3 microM), or nicotinic acid (1 mM) for 4 days. The cells were then washed and incubated for an additional 30 min with various concentrations of these compounds to determine their ability to inhibit lipolysis. PIA caused a (marked) decrease in the sensitivity of the cells to both PIA and PGE1, thus indicating heterologous desensitization. Similarly, PGE1 decreased the sensitivity of the cells to both PGE1 and PIA, again demonstrating heterologous desensitization. In contrast, prolonged incubation with nicotinic acid decreased the sensitivity of the cells to nicotinic acid but had no effect on the sensitivity of the cells to PIA. Adenylylcyclase in membranes from PGE1-treated cells showed decreased sensitivity to inhibition by PIA. In contrast, adenylylcyclase showed normal sensitivity to PIA in membranes from nicotinic acid-treated cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Transport in MultiTerminal Normal-Superconductor Devices: Reciprocity Relations, Negative and Nonlocal Resistances, and Reentrance of the Proximity Effect (1996)

We have investigated transport in a cross-shaped two-dimensional electron gas with superconducting electrodes coupled to two opposite arms. Multiterminal resistances, measured as a function of the superconducting phase difference and the magnetic flux, are analyzed in terms of an extended Landauer-B\"uttiker transport formalism. We show that extended reciprocity relations hold. Correlations between transport coefficients are obtained from, e.g., (negative) three-terminal and nonlocal resistances. Energy spectroscopy reveals a reentrant behavior of the transport coefficients around the Thouless energy.
Propofol Facilitates Glutamatergic Transmission to Neurons of the Ventrolateral Preoptic Nucleus (2009)

Propofol induces sedation, at least in part, by increasing firing of GABAergic neurons in the VLPO, indirectly by activation of GABA(A) receptors on glutamatergic afferents: Because these axons/terminals have a relatively high internal Cl concentration, they are depolarized by GABAergic agents such as propofol, which thus enhance glutamate release.
Hierarchical Regulation of CTLA-4 Dimer-Based Lattice Formation and Its Biological Relevance for T Cell Inactivation (2005)

CTLA-4 is an activation-induced, homodimeric inhibitory receptor in T cells. Recent crystallographic reports have suggested that it may form lattice-like arrays on the cell surface upon binding B7.1/B7.2 (CD80, CD86) molecules. To test the biological relevance of these CTLA-4-B7 lattices, we introduced a C122A point mutation in human CTLA-4, because this residue was shown to be essential for dimerization in solution. Surprisingly, we found that up to 35% of C122A CTLA-4 dimerized in human T lymphocytes. Moreover, C122A CTLA-4 partitioned within lipid rafts, colocalized with the TCR in the immunological synapse, and inhibited T cell activation. C122-independent dimerization of CTLA-4 involved N-glycosylation, because further mutation of the N78 and N110 glycosylation sites abrogated dimerization. Despite being monomeric, the N78A/N110A/C122A triple mutant CTLA-4 localized in the immunological synapse and inhibited T cell activation. Such functionality correlated with B7-induced dimerization of these mutant molecules. Based on these data, we propose a model of hierarchical regulation of CTLA-4 oligomerization by which B7 binding ultimately determines the formation of dimer-dependent CTLA-4 lattices that may be necessary for triggering B7-dependent T cell inactivation.
Drugs on the Horizon for Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes (1995)

The only new pharmaceutical therapy for Type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes that has become available for clinical use in the last 40 years is the alpha-glucosidase inhibitor, acarbose, which reduces postprandial glucose levels by retarding digestion of complex carbohydrates in the gut. It has proved difficult to find other new metabolically active drugs that lack toxicity. Agents that reduce insulin resistance include the thiazolidinediones, which are very effective in animals. Of these, the only one that has been maintained in clinical evaluation appears from preliminary data to have an effect that although still useful, is not greater than that reported for current oral agents. Agents that reduce non-esterified fatty acid levels by inhibiting lipolysis, thereby allowing increased peripheral uptake of glucose, have so far given minimal reduction in glycaemia. The development of fatty acid oxidation inhibitors to reduce gluconeogenesis in the liver has been hampered by toxicity, but additional new agents are being studied. The most promising new approach for enhancing insulin secretion has been suggested by the demonstration that pharmacological doses of GLP-1 (7-36 amide), a natural enteric incretin hormone, improves pancreatic beta-cell and alpha-cell sensitivity to glucose and can induce normal basal glucose levels in diabetic man. The future development of GLP-1 agonists will be of great interest. This is timely as other insulin secretogogues, such as alpha 2 adrenergic blockers have proved relatively ineffective. Anti-obesity agents would in theory be beneficial, but have either had limited efficacy or have been avoided because of concern about long-term safety. Until new pharmaceutical agents become available, if near-normal glycaemia is to be achieved, many more Type 2 diabetic patients will need insulin therapy. When full insulin replacement therapy is not feasible, reducing the fasting blood glucose level towards normal with a single daily basal insulin supplement, either alone or in combination with oral agents, could become a more widely used therapy.
Exploring storage class memory with key value stores (2013)

In the near future, new storage-class memory (SCM) technologies -- such as phase-change memory and memristors -- will radically change the nature of long-term storage. These devices will be cheap, non-volatile, byte addressable, and near DRAM density and speed. While SCM offers enormous opportunities, profiting from them will require new storage systems specifically designed for SCM's properties.
REAL-WORLD DATA ON ESLICARBAZEPINE ACETATE: THE EPOS STUDY (2016)

<h3>Purpose</h3> To assess retention rate, seizure control and safety/tolerability of eslicarbazepine acetate (ESL) as add-on to antiepileptic monotherapy in everyday clinical practice across eight European countries. <h3>Method</h3> Eslicarbazepine acetate in Partial-Onset Seizures (EPOS) was a prospective, non-interventional study conducted in adult patients with uncontrolled partial-onset seizures under antiepileptic monotherapy, whose clinician had previously and independently decided to initiate ESL add-on therapy. Primary endpoint was retention rate after 6 months. Other assessments included responder and seizure freedom rates after 6 months, and safety/tolerability. <h3>Results</h3> Overall, 219 patients were included (mean age 45.9 years; 57.5% male). Mean time since epilepsy diagnosis was 12.3 years. Mean ESL dose after titration was 944.8 mg/day (range 428.6–2800.0 mg/day). After 6 months, retention, responder and seizure freedom rates were 82.2% (95% confidence interval [CI] 76.5–87.0%), 81.8% (95% CI 75.5–87.1%) and 39.2% (95% CI 32.2–46.5%), respectively. Adverse events (AEs) were reported for 57 (26.0%) patients (most commonly dizziness [4.6%]); eight (3.7%) patients experienced serious AEs. No AE was reported in >5% of patients. <h3>Conclusion</h3> ESL as add-on to antiepileptic monotherapy demonstrated favourable retention and seizure control, and was well tolerated by the majority of adult patients in a real-life setting. Supported by Eisai.
High resolution time-of-arrival detection for wireless positioning systems (2003)

It is well known that non-line-of-sight (NLOS) and multipath propagation biases time of arrival (TOA) and time difference of arrival (TDOA) estimates, thus reducing accuracy of positioning algorithms. In order to achieve timing error reduction, a high-resolution first arriving path detector from propagation channel estimates is derived based on the minimum variance (MV) estimates and normalized minimum variance (NMV) of the power delay profile. The objective of the paper is to determine the potentialities of this optimal detection scheme within the framework of a realistic wireless positioning system. To this end, the timing measurements obtained are fed to a Kalman tracker which finally determines the position with a high degree of accuracy.
Frequency-Dependence of Relative Permeability in Steel (2006)

A study to characterize metal plates by means of a model‐based, broadband, four‐point potential drop measurement technique has shown that the relative permeability of alloy 1018 low‐carbon steel is complex and a function of frequency. A magnetic relaxation is observed at approximately 5 kHz. The relaxation can be described in terms of a parametric (Cole‐Cole) model. Factors which influence the frequency, amplitude and breadth of the relaxation, such as applied current amplitude, sample geometry and disorder (e.g. percent carbon content and surface condition), are considered.
Genotypic Variation in the Promoter Region of the Protein C Gene Is Associated With Plasma Protein C Levels and Thrombotic Risk (1995)

Protein C is a vitamin K-dependent zymogen of a serine protease that inhibits blood coagulation by proteolytic inactivation of factors Va and VIIIa. Individuals with protein C deficiency are at risk for thrombophlebitis, deep-vein thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism. Genetic analysis of a number of randomly chosen healthy individuals revealed three polymorphisms, C/T at -654, A/G at -641, and A/T at -476, in the protein C promoter region. To investigate whether these genetic variations associate with the plasma protein C level, we determined the genotype for the three polymorphisms and measured plasma protein C levels in 240 individuals not deficient in protein C. The mean protein C level of these individuals was 103%. Interestingly, individuals with the homozygous CGT genotype (n = 40) had a mean protein C level of 94%, whereas individuals with a homozygous TAA genotype (n = 28) had a mean protein C level of 116%. This difference in mean protein C levels between the CGT and TAA groups (P < .001) could not be explained by environmental factors known to influence protein C levels in the normal population. Plasma factor II and factor X levels did not differ between the two groups, which makes a difference in liver function an unlikely cause. Finally, we tested whether the genotype associated with lower protein C levels is associated with higher thrombotic risks. This analysis showed that compared with the genetic variant associated with higher protein C levels (TT/AA/AA), the genetic variant associated with lower protein C levels (CC/GG/TT genotype) is indeed a risk factor for thrombosis (OR, 1.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.0 to 2.5).
Orthogonal Wavelength Division Multiplexing Using SSFBGs in Passive Optical Networks (2009)

We propose a novel scheme of orthogonal wavelength-division-multiplexing (WDM) using superstructure fiber Bragg gratings (SSFBGs) as a square pulse shaper in passive optical networks (PONs). The system supports large numbers of subscribers by the orthogonal interleaving of the sinc-shaped spectrum from each channel and expends the capacity.
Solution Structure and Backbone Dynamics of Long-[Arg3]insulin-like Growth Factor-I (2000)

Long-[Arg(3)]insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) is a potent analog of insulin-like growth factor-I that has been modified by a Glu(3) --> Arg mutation and a 13-amino acid extension appended to the N terminus. We have determined the solution structure of (15)N-labeled Long-[Arg(3)]-IGF-I using high resolution NMR and restrained molecular dynamics techniques to a precision of 0.82 +/- 0.28 A root mean square deviation for the backbone heavy atoms in the three alpha-helices and 3.5 +/- 0.9 A root mean square deviation for all backbone heavy atoms excluding the 8 N-terminal residues and the 8 C-terminal eight residues. Overall, the structure of the IGF-I domain is consistent with earlier studies of IGF-I with some minor changes remote from the N terminus. The major variations in the structure, compared with IGF-I, occur at the N terminus with a substantial reorientation of the N-terminal three residues of the IGF-I domain. These results are interpreted in terms of the lower binding affinity for insulin-like growth factor-binding proteins. The backbone dynamics of Long-[Arg(3)]IGF-I were investigated using (15)N nuclear spin relaxation and the heteronuclear nuclear Overhauser enhancement (NOE). There is a considerable degree of flexibility in Long-[Arg(3)]IGF-I, even in the alpha-helices, as indicated by an average ((1)H)(15)N NOE of 0.55 for the regions. The largest heteronuclear NOEs are observed in the helical regions, lower heteronuclear NOEs are observed in the C-domain loop separating helix 1 from helix 2, and negative heteronuclear NOEs are observed in the N-terminal extension and at the C terminus. Despite these data indicating conformational flexibility for the N-terminal extension, slow amide proton exchange was observed for some residues in this region, suggesting some transitory structure does exist, possibly a molten helix. A certain degree of flexibility may be necessary in all insulin-like growth factors to enable association with various receptors and binding proteins.
Assessing complement blockade in patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria receiving eculizumab (2014)

Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is characterized by intravascular hemolysis, which is effectively controlled with eculizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody that binds complement protein 5 (C5). The residual functional activity of C5 can be screened using a 50% hemolytic complement (CH50) assay, which is sensitive to the reduction, absence, and/or inactivity of any components of the classical and terminal complement pathway. Little data exist on complement blockade during treatment. From 2010 to 2012, clinical data, hemolysis biomarkers, complement assessment, and free eculizumab circulating levels were systematically measured immediately before every injection given to 22 patients with hemolytic PNH while receiving eculizumab therapy. During the study, 6 patients received ≥1 red blood cell transfusion. Lack of detectable CH50 activity (defined by CH50 ≤ 10% of normal values) was found in 184 samples (51%) and was significantly associated with lower lactate dehydrogenase levels (P = .002). Low levels of circulating free eculizumab (<50 µg/mL) correlated with detectable CH50 activity (CH50 > 10%; P = .004), elevated bilirubin levels (P < .0001), and the need for transfusions (P = .034). This study suggests that both CH50 activity and circulating free eculizumab levels may help physicians to manage PNH patients receiving eculizumab.
Confirmation of the <i>HOXB13</i> G84E Germline Mutation in Familial Prostate Cancer (2012)

This study independently confirms the association of a germline HOXB13 mutation with familial prostate cancer.
Polydioptric camera design and 3D motion estimation (2003)

Most cameras used in computer vision applications are still based on the pinhole principle inspired by our own eyes. It has been found though that this is not necessarily the optimal image formation principle for processing visual information using a machine. We describe how to find the optimal camera for 3D motion estimation by analyzing the structure of the space formed by the light rays passing through a volume of space. Every camera corresponds to a sampling pattern in light ray space, thus the question of camera design can be rephrased as finding the optimal sampling pattern with regard to a given task. This framework suggests that large field-of-view multi-perspective (polydioptric) cameras are the optimal image sensors for 3D motion estimation. We conclude by proposing design principles for polydioptric cameras and describe an algorithm for such a camera that estimates its 3D motion in a scene independent and robust manner.
Maximum Likelihood Erasure Decoding of LDPC Codes: Pivoting Algorithms and Code Design (2012)

This paper investigates efficient maximum-likelihood (ML) decoding of low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes over erasure channels. A set of algorithms, referred to as pivoting algorithms, is developed. The aim is to limit the average number of pivots (or reference variables) from which all the other erased symbols are recovered iteratively. The suggested algorithms exhibit different trade-offs between complexity of the pivoting phase and average number of pivots. Moreover, a systematic procedure to design LDPC code ensembles for efficient ML decoding is proposed. Numerical results illustrate that the designed LDPC codes achieve a near-optimum performance (very close to the Singleton bound, at least down to a codeword error rate level 10 <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">-8</sup> ) with an affordable decoding complexity. For one of the presented codes and algorithms, a software implementation has been developed which is capable to provide data rates above 1.5 Gbps on a commercial computing platform.