gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Validation of the Essential ClpP Protease in Mycobacterium tuberculosis as a Novel Drug Target (2011)

ABSTRACT Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a pathogen of major global importance. Validated drug targets are required in order to develop novel therapeutics for drug-resistant strains and to shorten therapy. The Clp protease complexes provide a means for quality control of cellular proteins; the proteolytic activity of ClpP in concert with the ATPase activity of the ClpX/ClpC subunits results in degradation of misfolded or damaged proteins. Thus, the Clp system plays a major role in basic metabolism, as well as in stress responses and pathogenic mechanisms. M. tuberculosis has two ClpP proteolytic subunits. Here we demonstrate that ClpP1 is essential for viability in this organism in culture, since the gene could only be deleted from the chromosome when a second functional copy was provided. Overexpression of clpP1 had no effect on growth in aerobic culture or viability under anaerobic conditions or during nutrient starvation. In contrast, clpP2 overexpression was toxic, suggesting different roles for the two homologs. We synthesized known activators of ClpP protease activity; these acyldepsipeptides (ADEPs) were active against M. tuberculosis . ADEP activity was enhanced by the addition of efflux pump inhibitors, demonstrating that ADEPs gain access to the cell but that export occurs. Taken together, the genetic and chemical validation of ClpP as a drug target leads to new avenues for drug discovery.
The Hilbert curve as a small self‐resonant monopole from a practical point of view (2003)

Abstract Prefractal Hilbert curves are analyzed in terms of radiation efficiency, quality factor, and electrical size for their use as small self‐resonant monopole antennas. The structures show better performance as loads of monopoles than as radiating structures. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 39: 45–49, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.11122
Distinct Requirements for Activation of NKT and NK Cells during Viral Infection (2014)

NK cells are key regulators of innate defense against mouse CMV (MCMV). Like NK cells, NKT cells also produce high levels of IFN-γ rapidly after MCMV infection. However, whether similar mechanisms govern activation of these two cell types, as well as the significance of NKT cells for host resistance, remain unknown. In this article, we show that, although both NKT and NK cells are activated via cytokines, their particular cytokine requirements differ significantly in vitro and in vivo. IL-12 is required for NKT cell activation in vitro but is not sufficient, whereas NK cells have the capacity to be activated more promiscuously in response to individual cytokines from innate cells. In line with these results, GM-CSF-derived dendritic cells activated only NK cells upon MCMV infection, consistent with their virtual lack of IL-12 production, whereas Flt3 ligand-derived dendritic cells produced IL-12 and activated both NK and NKT cells. In vivo, NKT cell activation was abolished in IL-12(-/-) mice infected with MCMV, whereas NK cells were still activated. In turn, splenic NK cell activation was more IL-18 dependent. The differential requirements for IL-12 and IL-18 correlated with the levels of cytokine receptor expression by NK and NKT cells. Finally, mice lacking NKT cells showed reduced control of MCMV, and depleting NK cells further enhanced viral replication. Taken together, our results show that NKT and NK cells have differing requirements for cytokine-mediated activation, and both can contribute nonredundantly to MCMV defense, revealing that these two innate lymphocyte subsets function together to fine-tune antiviral responses.
Saline Water Conversion Using Wiped Thin-Film Distillation (1963)

The chief advantages of thin films of distilland and condensing steam in the distillation of sea water is that significantly higher heat transfer rates are obtained. The wiped film process uses a rotating wiper blade to form the thin distilland film, and a corrugated surface to drain condensate, resulting in a thin condensate film. Using this method, several laboratory models and prototypes have been built and tested. The results have been a net increase in output for a specific expenditure of energy and use of surface. Durability of results has been obtained by the addition of phosphate-based chemicals or sulfuric acid to the sea water feed.
Tiered replication: a cost-effective alternative to full cluster geo-replication (2015)

Cloud storage systems typically use three-way random replication to guard against data loss within the cluster, and utilize cluster geo-replication to protect against correlated failures. This paper presents a much lower cost alternative to full cluster geo-replication. We demonstrate that in practical settings, using two replicas is sufficient for protecting against independent node failures, while using three random replicas is inadequate for protecting against correlated node failures.

We present Tiered Replication, a replication scheme that splits the cluster into a primary and backup tier. The first two replicas are stored on the primary tier and are used to recover data in the case of independent node failures, while the third replica is stored on the backup tier and is used to protect against correlated failures. The key insight of our paper is that, since the third replicas are rarely read, we can place the backup tier on separate physical infrastructure or a remote location without affecting performance. This separation significantly increases the resilience of the storage system to correlated failures and presents a low cost alternative to georeplication of an entire cluster. In addition, the Tiered Replication algorithm optimally minimizes the probability of data loss under correlated failures. Tiered Replication can be executed incrementally for each cluster change, which allows it to supports dynamic environments in which nodes join and leave the cluster, and it facilitates additional data placement constraints required by the storage designer, such as network and rack awareness. We have implemented Tiered Replication on HyperDex, an open-source cloud storage system, and demonstrate that it incurs a small performance overhead. Tiered Replication improves the cluster-wide MTTF by a factor of 20,000 compared to random replication and by a factor of 20 compared to previous non-random replication schemes, without increasing the amount of storage.
Sustainable synthesis of highly diastereoselective & fluorescent active spirooxindoles catalyzed by copper oxide nanoparticle immobilized on microcrystalline cellulose (2022)

Abstract Composites of copper oxide nanoparticles immobilized on microcrystalline cellulose (Cu 2 O@MCC) were synthesized and studied for their catalytic activity toward 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition reaction. Azomethine ylide was in situ generated from isatin and 1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroisoquinoline (THIQ) and styrylisoxazoles/chalcones used as dipolarphiles in one‐pot synthesis of novel spiro polycyclic heterocyclic compounds. Cu 2 O@MCC showed excellent catalytic activity on 20 mg of composite with 30% loading of copper on MCC. The scale‐up and recyclability experiment on the 10 mmol scale revealed the sustainability of composite even after four consecutive cycles. The products were fluorescent active, obtained in good to excellent yield with high regio and diastereoselectivity. The relevant features of the developed protocol are eco‐friendly with a wide range of substrate scope and shorter reaction time.
Role of <i>murE</i> in the Expression of β-Lactam Antibiotic Resistance in <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> (2004)

It was shown earlier that Tn551 inserted into the C-terminal region of murE of parental methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strain COL causes a drastic reduction in methicillin resistance, accompanied by accumulation of UDP-MurNAc dipeptide in the cell wall precursor pool and incorporation of these abnormal muropeptides into the peptidoglycan of the mutant. Methicillin resistance was recovered in a suppressor mutant. The murE gene of the same strain was then put under the control of the isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG)-inducible promoter P(spac). Bacteria grown in the presence of suboptimal concentrations of IPTG accumulated UDP-MurNAc dipeptide in the cell wall precursor pool. Both growth rates and methicillin resistance levels (but not resistance to other antibiotics) were a function of the IPTG concentration. Northern analysis showed a gradual increase in the transcription of murE and also in the transcription of pbpB and mecA, parallel with the increasing concentrations of IPTG in the medium. A similar increase in the transcription of pbpB and mecA, the structural genes of penicillin-binding protein 2 (PBP2) and PBP2A, was also detected in the suppressor mutant. The expression of these two proteins, which are known to play critical roles in the mechanism of staphylococcal methicillin resistance, appears to be-directly or indirectly-under the control of the murE gene. Our data suggest that the drastic reduction of the methicillin MIC seen in the murE mutant may be caused by the insufficient cellular amounts of these two PBPs.
Tensile Strength of Cu Sheets Welded by Ultrasonic Metal Welding (2013)

This paper gives a description of an experimental study on the ultrasonic welding of metals. In ultrasonic metal welding, high frequency vibrations are combined with pressure to join two materials together quickly and securely, without generating large amount of heat. Horn, a key part of ultrasonic welding machine, should be designed very accurately to get the natural frequencies and vibration mode required. In this study, a horn is designed and developed for ultrasonic welding of Cu sheets. The tensile strength of welded parts is investigated for evaluation of weldability. Experimental parameters of welding test is set as follows; welding time 0.4s ~ 3.4sec. and vibration amplitude 40%, 60%, 80% and welding pressure 1.5bar, 2.0bar, 2.5bar. Samples are Cu sheets of 0.1mm thickness. Experimental results showed that the tensile strength increase as welding parameters increase, but when welding pressure is excessive, the tensile strength decrease due to fracture of the Cu sheets caused by over-welding. These results could be successfully applied for ultrasonic metal welding in various fields of manufacturing industry.
Superconducting NbTaAlAlOxAl X-ray detectors with spatial resolution (1996)

Superconducting X-ray detectors based on SIS tunnel junctions offer potential for high spectral resolution and single photon efficiency. When used in a double junction geometry, they also offer spatial resolution needed for focal plane imaging. We are developing NbTaAlAlOxAl detectors for space-based X-ray astronomy applications. The design employs superconductor bandgap engineering for improved charge collection and adaptability for double junction geometries. For irradiation of a single junction device with 6 keV X-rays at a single location, the detectors have an energy resolution of 87 eV at 0.27 K. Initial studies of double junction detectors show a spectral resolution of 178 eV and an inferred spatial resolution of 4 μm over an effective length of 60 μm.
Pharmacological and Clinical Studies of Ephedrine and Other Thermogenic Agonists (1995)

When given as a supplement to an energy restricted diet the sympathomimetic agent ephedrine, in combination with methylxanthines such as caffeine, improves fat loss by dual actions: a central suppression of appetite and peripheral stimulation of energy expenditure covered by fat oxidation. Mean weight loss was found to be 16.6 kg after 6 months when E+C was given as an adjuvant to an efficient hypoenergetic diet, which was 3.4 kg higher than in the placebo group. An additional 24 weeks treatment with E+C prevented relapse. In the first weeks of treatment E+C offset the hypotensive effect of energy restriction and weight loss, but the effect was transient, and after 8 weeks blood pressures were indistinguishable from those of the placebo group. E+C has no adverse effect on glucose and lipid metabolism, but has been shown to prevent the decline in HDL-cholesterol caused by weight loss. In a comparative trial the weight loss produced by E+C was similar to that of dexfenfluramine. More research on sympathomimetics and methylxanthines should be carried out to identify combinations with improved efficiency and safety. Moreover, more long-term trials and studies in males are required.
Insecticidal Activity of Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1Bh1 against Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) and Other Lepidopteran Pests (2013)

Bacillus thuringiensis is an important source of insect resistance traits in commercial crops. In an effort to prolong B. thuringiensis trait durability, insect resistance management programs often include combinations of insecticidal proteins that are not cross resistant or have demonstrable differences in their site of action as a means to mitigate the development of resistant insect populations. In this report, we describe the activity spectrum of a novel B. thuringiensis Cry protein, Cry1Bh1, against several lepidopteran pests, including laboratory-selected B. thuringiensis-resistant strains of Ostrinia nubilalis and Heliothis virescens and progeny of field-evolved B. thuringiensis-resistant strains of Plutella xylostella and Spodoptera frugiperda. Cry1Bh1 is active against susceptible and B. thuringiensis-resistant colonies of O. nubilalis, P. xylostella, and H. virescens in laboratory diet-based assays, implying a lack of cross-resistance in these insects. However, Cry1Bh1 is not active against susceptible or Cry1F-resistant S. frugiperda. Further, Cry1Bh1 does not compete with Cry1Fa or Cry1Ab for O. nubilalis midgut brush border membrane binding sites. Cry1Bh1-expressing corn, while not completely resistant to insect damage, provided significantly better leaf protection against Cry1Fa-resistant O. nubilalis than did Cry1Fa-expressing hybrid corn. The lack of cross-resistance with Cry1Ab and Cry1Fa along with independent membrane binding sites in O. nubilalis makes Cry1Bh1 a candidate to further optimize for in-plant resistance to this pest.
Factors that improve the preservation of nephron morphology during cold storage. (1982)

Light and electron microscopy were used to evaluate the nephron morphology of rat kidneys that were perfused and stored at 0 to 2 degrees C. for up to 48 hours in preservation solutions which (1) contained different osmotic agents, (2) were adjusted to different levels of osmolality, and (3) which had different ionic compositions (e.g., intracellular-like, extracellular-like). Storage in an enriched phosphate-buffered isotonic culture medium that contained very little effective osmotic agent (i.e., medium 199) results in significant necrosis of glomeruli and uriniferous tubules with 12 to 24 hours. Storage in Collins solution that has an intracellular-like ionic composition and that contains dextrose as an osmotic agent results in significantly better preservation of kidney nephrons. When the dextrose in Collins solution is replaced with mannitol or sucrose, there is dramatic improvement in the preservation of glomeruli and uriniferous tubules. Overall, sucrose appears to be the most effective osmotic agent in preventing degeneration of the nephron during cold storage. Further improvement in nephron preservation is seen when the osmolality of Collins solution is raised (i.e., 400 to 600 mOsmoles) by adding more of the osmotic agents. Finally, storage in simple sodium phosphate-buffered solutions containing either dextrose, mannitol, or sucrose results in the same quality of morphologic preservation as seen with Collins intracellular-like solutions containing similar amounts of these osmotic agents. It appears, therefore, that the selection of an effective osmotic agent (e.g., sucrose) and making the preservation solution hypertonic with this osmotic agent are of primary importance in preserving nephron morphologic integrity during cold storage. The presence of an intracellular-like ionic composition in the preservation solution, however, does not appear to influence morphologic preservation. The effects of the above variables on the ultrastructural morphology of different segments of the uriniferous tubules and the renal corpuscles are described and illustrated.
Injectable Collagen Implant: Histopathologic Identification and Longevity of Correction (1985)

This prospective study reports the results of the longevity of the correction achieved in 312 patients receiving injectable collagen implant and the histopathologic identification of the implant in the six who experienced reactions at the treatment sites. In reporting results in cosmetic patients, certain ones can be considered objective or factual, and other must be judged subjective. This study reports both kinds of results and proposes a new theory to explain the duration of the improvement.
Electrode-free picoinjection of microfluidic drops (2012)

Existing methods for injecting reagents into drops utilize metal electrodes integrated into the microfluidic chip, adding cumbersome and error-prone steps to the fabrication process. Here, we introduce a method that uses the injection fluid itself as an electrode by exploiting dissolved electrolytes in the solution. This obviates the need for metal electrodes and reduces fabrication time and complexity while also affording precise control of the injected reagent volumes.
Depositional ice nucleation on solid ammonium sulfate and glutaric acid particles (2009)

Abstract. Heterogeneous ice nucleation on solid ammonium sulfate and solid amorphous glutaric acid particles was studied using optical microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. Optical microscopy was used to detect selective nucleation events as water vapor was slowly introduced into an environmental sample cell. Particles that nucleated ice were dried via sublimation and examined in detail using Raman spectroscopy. Depositional ice nucleation occurred preferentially on just a few ammonium sulfate and glutaric acid particles in each sample. For freezing temperatures between 214 K and 235 K average ice saturation ratios of S=1.10±0.07 for solid ammonium sulfate and S=1.39±0.16 for solid amorphous glutaric acid particles were determined. Experiments with externally mixed particles further show that ammonium sulfate is a more potent ice nucleus that glutaric acid. Our results suggest that heterogeneous nucleation on ammonium sulfate may be an important pathway for atmospheric ice nucleation and cirrus cloud formation when solid aerosol particles are available for ice formation. This pathway for ice formation may be particularly significant near the tropopause region where sulfates are abundant and other species known to be good ice nuclei are depleted.
Nanohole-array-based device for 2D snapshot multispectral imaging (2013)

We present a two-dimensional (2D) snapshot multispectral imager that utilizes the optical transmission characteristics of nanohole arrays (NHAs) in a gold film to resolve a mixture of input colors into multiple spectral bands. The multispectral device consists of blocks of NHAs, wherein each NHA has a unique periodicity that results in transmission resonances and minima in the visible and near-infrared regions. The multispectral device was illuminated over a wide spectral range, and the transmission was spectrally unmixed using a least-squares estimation algorithm. A NHA-based multispectral imaging system was built and tested in both reflection and transmission modes. The NHA-based multispectral imager was capable of extracting 2D multispectral images representative of four independent bands within the spectral range of 662 nm to 832 nm for a variety of targets. The multispectral device can potentially be integrated into a variety of imaging sensor systems.
Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) in elemental imaging of biological tissues and in proteomics (2007)

Of all the inorganic mass spectrometric techniques, laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) plays a key role as a powerful and sensitive microanalytical technique, enabling multi-element trace analysis and isotope ratio measurements at the trace and ultra-trace level in the life sciences. LA-ICP-MS was used to produce images of detailed regionally specific element distribution in thin sections of tissue from different parts of the human brain. The quantitative determination of copper, zinc and other elements distributed in thin slices of human brain samples was performed using matrix-matched laboratory standards. Imaging mass spectrometry provides new information on the spatially inhomogeneous element distribution in thin sections of human tissue, for example of different brain regions (e.g., insular region) or brain tumour tissue. The detection limits obtained for Cu and Zn determination in tissue sections were in the sub-µg g–1 range. Possible strategies will be discussed for applying LA-ICP-MS in brain research and the life sciences, including the imaging of thin slices of brain tissue in order to obtain element distributions or applications in proteome analysis in combination with MALDI-MS to study phospho- and metal-containing proteins.
Separation of Tall Oil Head Fraction Into Fatty Acids and Unsaponifiables (1983)

Abstract A method is described which permits ready and complete separation of the unsaponifiable constituents from the fatty acids contained in the tall oil head fraction. The fatty acids are converted to zinc soaps which are essentially non-volatile and surprisingly heat stable. They form a low viscosity, homogeneous solution in the unsaponifiable components. The latter are then removed by distillation in vacuo leaving zinc soaps as a low melting residue. These soaps are readily decomposed by mineral or organic acids to fatty acids and an aqueous solution of the appropriate zinc salt which is re-cycled for further preparations of zinc soaps.
Perovskite B‐Site Compositional Control of [110]<sub>p</sub> Polar Displacement Coupling in an Ambient‐Pressure‐Stable Bismuth‐based Ferroelectric (2012)

Off the axis: A new lead-free bismuth based perovskite has been formed at ambient pressure in the polar Pmc21 structure. Measurements give evidence for ferroelectricity and piezoelectricity. The material is significant due to a rotation of the polarization direction off the [111]p axis, making it important to the design of materials with a morphotropic phase boundary. Detailed facts of importance to specialist readers are published as ”Supporting Information”. Such documents are peer-reviewed, but not copy-edited or typeset. They are made available as submitted by the authors. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.