gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Neurocognitive markers of cognitive impairment: Exploring the roles of speed and inconsistency. (2007)

A well-known challenge for research in the cognitive neuropsychology of aging is to distinguish between the deficits and changes associated with normal aging and those indicative of early cognitive impairment. In a series of 2 studies, the authors explored whether 2 neurocognitive markers, speed (mean level) and inconsistency (intraindividual variability), distinguished between age groups (64-73 and 74-90+ years) and cognitive status groups (nonimpaired, mildly impaired, and moderately impaired). Study 1 (n = 416) showed that both level and inconsistency distinguished between the age and 2 cognitive status (not impaired, mildly impaired) groups, with a modest tendency for inconsistency to predict group membership over and above mean level. Study 2 (n = 304) replicated these results but extended them because of the qualifying effects associated with the unique moderately impaired oldest group. Specifically, not only were the groups more firmly distinguished by both indicators of speed, but evidence for the differential contribution of performance inconsistency was stronger. Neurocognitive markers of speed and inconsistency may be leading indicators of emerging cognitive impairment.
Sunlight induced progression of AIDS (1995)

Ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation in sunlight damages the cutaneous immune system of individuals primarily by converting trans-urocanic acid (UCA) to its cis isoform which in turn instigates excessive local, and eventually systemic, levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha). UVB radiation and TNF alpha have been found to activate HIV from the latent state, and TNF alpha has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several manifestations of the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). We hypothesize that the immunosuppressant properties of TNF alpha and cis-UCA, released by intense sun exposure, can accelerate the onset and progression of AIDS in HIV-infected individuals.
Effects of direct brain stimulation depend on seizure dynamics (2010)

Brain stimulation is currently used as an experimental treatment for patients with medically refractory epilepsy. However, the results of such stimulation are still less than optimal. A major factor is the lack of understanding of the mechanisms of applied stimuli. Herein we review evidence on the effects of stimulation in models of epileptic seizures. We show that the effects of stimulation during epileptic seizures can differ from those observed under normal conditions. Several studies suggest a potentially greater beneficial therapeutic effect of strong depolarizing and overactivating stimulations than hyperpolarizing ones in the treatment of seizures. The potential relevance of these results to other therapeutic stimulation protocols is discussed.
L-Carnitine Ameliorates Oxidative Damage due to Chronic Renal Failure in Rats (2004)

Chronic renal failure (CRF) is associated with oxidative stress that promotes production of reactive oxygen species. L-Carnitine is a cofactor required for transport of long-chain fatty acids into the mitochondrial matrix. Recent research has shown that some clinical conditions (i.e., anorexia, chronic fatigue, coronary heart disease, diphtheria, hypoglycemia, and male infertility) benefit from exogenous supplementation of L-carnitine. The aim of this study was to examine the role of L-carnitine in protecting the aorta, heart, corpus cavernosum, and kidney tissues against oxidative damage in a rat model of CRF. Male Wistar albino rats were randomly assigned to either the CRF group or the sham-operated control group, which had received saline or L-carnitine (500 mg/kg, i.p.) for 4 weeks. CRF was evaluated by BUN and serum creatinine measurements. Aorta and corporeal tissues were used for contractility studies or stored along with heart and kidney tissues for the measurement of malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels. Plasma MDA, GSH levels and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities were also studied. In the CRF group, the contraction and the relaxation of aorta and corpus cavernosum samples decreased significantly compared with controls and were partially reversed by L-carnitine treatment. In the CRF group, there were significant increases in tissue MDA with marked reductions in GSH levels in all tissues and plasma compared with controls. In the plasma SOD, CAT and GSH-Px activities were also reduced. All these effects were reversed by L-carnitine as well. The increase in MDA level and the concomitant decrease in GSH level of tissues and plasma and also suppression of the antioxidant enzyme activities in plasma demonstrate that oxidative mechanisms are involved in CRF-induced tissue damage. L-carnitine, possibly via its free radical scavenging and antioxidant properties, ameliorates oxidative organ injury and CRF-induced dysfunction of the aorta and corpus cavernosum. These results suggest that L-carnitine supplementation may have some benefit in CRF patients.
Mitochondrial DNA content affects the fertilizability of human oocytes (2001)

Mitochondrial DNA content varies considerably in oocytes, even when collected from the same patient. In the present study, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis of 113 unfertilized oocytes obtained from 43 patients revealed an average of 193,000 (range: 20,000 to 598,000) mitochondrial genomes per cell. We compared several groups of oocytes to investigate the relationship between mitochondrial DNA content and fertilizability. The average mitochondrial DNA copy number was significantly lower in cohorts suffering from fertilization failure compared to cohorts with a normal rate of fertilization. In addition, the mitochondrial copy number of oocytes from patients with fertilization failure due to unknown causes was significantly lower than that of oocytes from patients in which IVF failure was due mainly to a severe sperm defect. The lower mtDNA copy number could be due to defective cytoplasmic maturation of oocytes. We conclude that low mitochondrial DNA content, due to inadequate mitochondrial biogenesis or cytoplasmic maturation, may adversely affect oocyte fertilizability.
Defining Fractional Inhibitory Concentration Index Cutoffs for Additive Interactions Based on Self-Drug Additive Combinations, Monte Carlo Simulation Analysis, and <i>In Vitro</i> - <i>In Vivo</i> Correlation Data for Antifungal Drug Combinations against <i>Aspergillus fumigatus</i> (2009)

The fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) index range of 0.5 to 4 that is commonly used to define additivity results in no interactions in most combination studies of antifungal agents. These results may differ from those of in vivo studies, where positive and negative interactions may be observed. We reassessed this in vitro FIC index range based on (i) the experimental variation of the checkerboard technique using multiple replicates, (ii) the ability to correctly determine purely additive self-drug and two-drug antagonistic combinations of amphotericin B (AMB) and voriconazole (VRC), (iii) Monte Carlo simulation analysis, and (iv) in vitro-in vivo correlation using experimental models of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis against the same Aspergillus fumigatus isolate based on visual, spectrophotometric, and colorimetric determinations of FICs after 24 and 48 h of incubation. FICs obtained after 24 h of incubation ranged from 0.5 to 1.25 for the self-drug additive combinations of AMB plus AMB and VRC plus VRC and from 2.25 to 4.25 for the antagonistic combination of AMB plus VRC. Monte Carlo simulation analysis showed that self-drug combinations were correctly classified as additive and that the combination of AMB plus VRC was correctly classified as antagonistic for >85% of the simulated FICs when deviation of the 95% confidence interval (CI) of replicate FICs from the additivity range of 1 to 1.25 was used to assess interactions after 24 h. In vitro-in vivo correlation analysis showed that the 95% CIs of the FICs of the in vivo synergistic combination anidulafungin plus VRC determined after 24 h were lower than 1 and the 95% CIs of the FICs of the in vivo antagonistic combination AMB plus ravuconazole were higher than 1.25. Adequate insight into weak pharmacodynamic interactions with in vivo relevance may be obtained by demonstrating that triplicate FICs at 24 h are outside an inclusive additivity range of 1 to 1.25.
Antenna theory: a review (1992)

In this review the author traces the history of antennas and some of the most basic radiating elements, demonstrates the fundamental principles of antenna radiation, reviews Maxwell's equations and electromagnetic boundary conditions, and outlines basic procedures and equations of radiation. Modeling of antenna source excitation is illustrated, and antenna parameters and figures-of-merit are reviewed. Theorems, arraying principles, and advanced asymptotic methods for antenna analysis and design are summarized.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">></ETX>
Quicken 2002 for Dummies (2000)

From the Publisher:
Maximize investments, minimize taxes, and manage your bills
Get up and running with online banking and investing
Make the most of Quicken and save time and money Want to pay bills, track investments, and calculate interest with the click of a mouse? With this friendly guide and Quicken 2002, it's all possible. Covering everything from program basics to the latest online enhancements, CPA Stephen Nelson shows you step by step how to get a handle on Quicken  and manage your money like a pro.
Discover how to: Balance your checkbook online Track investment performance Calculate interest on mortgages or loans Plan for retirement or a child's education Prepare for tax time
The Dummies Way Explanations in plain English in, get out information Icons and other navigational aids Tear-out cheat sheet Top ten lists A dash of humor and fun
Get smart! www.dummies.com Sign up for daily eTips at www.dummiesdaily.com Choose from among 33 different subject categories Get news you can use on everything from money to health to computers
Author Biography: Stephen L. Nelson, MBA, CPA, is the bestselling author of more than 70 books on computer and business topics, including all the previous For Dummies books on Quicken.
Long Term Growth <i>in Vitro</i> of Human T Cell Blasts with Maintenance of Specificity and Function (1979)

Abstract Human T lymphoblasts obtained via antigenic stimulation and gradient centrifugation purification can be maintained as perpetual dividing cells in vitro, retaining specificity and function. By repeated addition of supernatants obtained from in vitro lymphocyte cultures activated with T cell mitogens, one can avoid the need of having antigen continually present, while maintaining proliferation. We have utilized PHA to stimulate tonsil lymphocytes and harvested supernatants after 48-hr. Such supernatants contain growth-supporting factors for T blasts, and these factors are clearly distinguishable from the lectin used to induce the growth factors. Thus, the PHA can be removed from the supernatants via an anti-lectin immunosorbent coupled to Sepharose beads, without having any detectable negative impact on the T blast supporting ability of such supernatants. Conversely, although the lectin is capable of stimulating freshly isolated populations of lymphocytes, the supernatant after lectin removal will not activate detectable numbers of small lymphocytes. In the absence of supernatant factors, antigen-specific cells can also be maintained either by reexposure of the MLR blasts to the original stimulator cell population, or by the addition of the soluble antigen (PPD) to blasts in the company of irradiated syngeneic cells. Alternatively, syngeneic or allogeneic irradiated cells together with mitogen can generate growth-supporting factors and thus sustain blast proliferation.
[Distribution and excretion of camptothecin suspension and sodium camptothecin in mice (author's transl)]. (1980)

It is assuemed that the suspension preparation of camptothecin used by iv might be more concentrated in the liver and more beneficial to the therapeutic use than sodium camptothecin. The differences of concentrations between the suspension and sodium salt of camptothecin were studied in this paper. 1. In mice bearing ascites hepatoma,the radioactivities of [3H]camptothecin suspension in liver,kidney and stomach were higher than those of sodium [3H] camptothecin 1,3 and 24 h after a single iv. After 24 h, the excreted radioactivities from urine and feces were 21.3% and 22.6%, respectively, in the [3H]camptothecin suspension group and 22.8% and 17.2%, respectively, in the sodium[3H]camptothecin group. 2.In normal mice,5 min to 3 h after a single iv the radioactivity in the blood was higher in the[3H]camptothecin suspension group than that in the sodium[3H]camptothecin group. The difference was less prominent when the measurements were taken 6 h later. 3. The contents of 2 preparations in the liver were also measured by fluorometric method. The results coincided with those determined by isotopic method.
Electronic vision enhancement system (1996)

Although epidemiological studies support the role of environment in a wide range of human cancers, the precise mechanisms by which environmental exposures promote cancer development and progression remain poorly understood. Environmental factors have been proposed to promote the development of malignancies by eliciting epigenetic changes; however, it is only with recent advances in epigenetics and epigenomics that target genes and the mechanisms underlying environmental influences are beginning to be elucidated. Because epigenetic mechanisms may function as an interface between environmental factors and the genome, deregulation of the epigenome by environmental stressors is likely to disrupt different cellular processes and contribute to cancer risk. In addition, the early appearance and ubiquity of epigenetic changes in virtually all steps of tumor development and progression in most, if not all, human neoplasms, make them attractive targets for biomarker discovery and targeted prevention. At the cellular level, aberrant epigenetic changes associated with environmental exposures may deregulate key cellular processes (including transcriptional control, DNA repair, cell cycle control, and carcinogen detoxification), which can be further modulated by environmental stressors, thus defining not only the phenotype of the disease but also potential biomarkers. This review summarizes recent progress in our understanding of the epigenetic mechanisms through which environmental factors may promote tumor development, with a particular focus on human lung cancer.
Methods to Measure the Strength of Cell Adhesion to Substrates (2010)

Cell-substrate adhesion is a critical factor in the development of biomaterials for use in applications such as implantable devices and tissue engineering scaffolds. In addition, cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix is intertwined with a number of fundamental cell processes, and several diseases are characterized by cells with altered adhesion properties. While many approaches exist to characterize cell adhesion, only a fraction of the techniques provides quantitative measurements of the strength of adhesion by physically detaching cells through application of force or stress. In this review, the most commonly used techniques to measure the adhesion strength of cells adhered to substrates are summarized. These methods can be divided into three general categories: centrifugation, hydrodynamic shear and micromanipulation. For each method, the technique is described and its capabilities assessed. A comprehensive review of recent applications of the methods is given, and adhesion strength measurements performed using different techniques on fibroblasts, a commonly-studied cell, are compared. Finally, the strengths and drawbacks of the various techniques are discussed.
Gauge equivalence in QCD: The Weyl and Coulomb gauges (2003)

The Weyl-gauge ${(A}_{0}^{a}=0)$ QCD Hamiltonian is unitarily transformed to a representation in which it is expressed entirely in terms of gauge-invariant quark and gluon fields. In a subspace of gauge-invariant states we have constructed that implement the non-Abelian Gauss's law, this unitarily transformed Weyl-gauge Hamiltonian can be further transformed and, under appropriate circumstances, can be identified with the QCD Hamiltonian in the Coulomb gauge. We demonstrate an isomorphism that materially facilitates the application of this Hamiltonian to a variety of physical processes, including the evaluation of S-matrix elements. This isomorphism relates the gauge-invariant representation of the Hamiltonian and the required set of gauge-invariant states to a Hamiltonian of the same functional form but dependent on ordinary unconstrained Weyl-gauge fields operating within a space of ``standard'' perturbative states. The fact that the gauge-invariant chromoelectric field is not Hermitian has important implications for the functional form of the Hamiltonian finally obtained. When this non-Hermiticity is taken into account, the ``extra'' vertices in the Christ-Lee' Coulomb-gauge Hamiltonian are natural outgrowths of the formalism. When this non-Hermiticity is neglected, the Hamiltonian used in the earlier work of Gribov and others results.
Design and Study of Synthetic Chiral Nanoscopic Assemblies. Preparation and Characterization of Optically Active Hybrid, Iodonium−Transition-Metal and All-Transition-Metal Macrocyclic Molecular Squares (1996)

The synthesis and characterization of various optically active nanoscale-size tetranuclear assemblies held together by coordination bonds is described. Interaction of bis[4-(4‘-pyridyl)phenyl]iodonium triflate and bistriflates of chiral transition metal (Pd(II) or Pt(II)) bisphosphines resulted in the formation of chiral hybrid iodonium-transition metal molecular squares. Restricted rotation of the coordinated bis[4-(4‘-pyridyl)phenyl]iodonium moiety was detected in these squares and investigated by using variable-temperature NMR. The preparation of chiral hybrid squares which possess the elements of helicity (twist) in the assembly was accomplished using the above bisphosphines and bis(3-pyridyl)iodonium triflate. Interaction between the bistriflates of chiral (R(+)-BINAP or S(−)-BINAP)) transition metal (Pd(II) or Pt(II)) bisphosphines and a diaza ligand with C2h symmetry, 2,6-diazaanthracene (DAA) or 2,6-diazaanthracene-9,10-dione (DAAD), in acetone at ambient temperature results in chirality-directed assembly of a single stable diastereomer or highly enriched diastereomeric mixtures of optically active macrocyclic molecular squares. The stereochemical outcome of such self-assembly at the full combinatorial level was investigated as well by the use of achiral Pd(II) or Pt(II) bisphosphine complexes.
Three Dimensional Simulation of Incompressible Two-phase Flows Using a Stabilized Finite Element Method and a Level Set Approach (2003)

This paper presents a stabilized flnite element method for the solution of incompressible two-phase ∞ow problems in three dimensions using a level set method. The interface between the two phases is resolved using the level set approach developed by Sethian [1], Sussman, Smereka and Osher [2], and Sussman et al. [3]. In this approach the interface is represented as a zero level set of a smooth function. The stabilized upwind Petrov-Galerkin method was used to discretize the governing ∞ow and level set equations. The continuum surface force (CSF) model proposed by Brackbill et al. [4] was applied in order to account for surface tension efiects. To restrict the interface from moving while re-distancing, an improved re-distancing scheme proposed in the flnite difierence context [3] is adapted for flnite element discretization. This enables us to accurately compute the ∞ows with large density and viscosity difierences, as well as surface tension. The capability of the resultant algorithm is demonstrated with two and three dimensional numerical examples of a single bubble rising through a quiescent liquid, and two bubble coalescence.
A novel algorithm for disparity calculation based on stereo vision (2010)

This paper presents a novel algorithm for disparity calculation based on stereo cameras. The proposed algorithm applies colour segmentation to each image row. All pixels within the same segment contribute to the disparity calculation of the segment. The individual disparity of each pixel is calculated based on the combination of the pixel's cost function and the disparity of its belonging segment. The algorithm is implemented on to the Texas Instrument TMS320DM648 DSP Platform for real-time applications. Our experiments suggest the proposed algorithm is able to provide high resolution disparity map with large number of disparity levels. Furthermore, the proposed algorithm generates disparity maps with significantly increased accuracy and percentage of correct disparity compares to the traditional stereo matching algorithms.
Nephrin strands contribute to a porous slit diaphragm scaffold as revealed by electron tomography (2004)

Nephrin is a key functional component of the slit diaphragm, the structurally unresolved molecular filter in renal glomerular capillaries. Abnormal nephrin or its absence results in severe proteinuria and loss of the slit diaphragm. The diaphragm is a thin extracellular membrane spanning the approximately 40-nm-wide filtration slit between podocyte foot processes covering the capillary surface. Using electron tomography, we show that the slit diaphragm comprises a network of winding molecular strands with pores the same size as or smaller than albumin molecules, as demonstrated in humans, rats, and mice. In the network, which is occasionally stratified, immunogold-nephrin antibodies labeled individually detectable globular cross strands, about 35 nm in length, lining the lateral elongated pores. The cross strands, emanating from both sides of the slit, contacted at the slit center but had free distal endings. Shorter strands associated with the cross strands were observed at their base. Immunolabeling of recombinant nephrin molecules on transfected cells and in vitrified solution corroborated the findings in kidney. Nephrin-deficient proteinuric patients with Finnish-type congenital nephrosis and nephrin-knockout mice had only narrow filtration slits that lacked the slit diaphragm network and the 35-nm-long strands but contained shorter molecular structures. The results suggest the direct involvement of nephrin molecules in constituting the macromolecule-retaining slit diaphragm and its pores.
Robust H ∞ filtering for a class of non-linear systems with state delay and parameter uncertainty (2002)

This paper deals with the problem of robust H-infinity filtering for a class of state-delayed non-linear systems with normbounded parameter uncertainty appearing in all the matrices of the linear part of the system model. The non-linearities are assumed to satisfy the global Lipschitz conditions and appear in both the state and measured output equations. Attention is focused on the design of a non-linear filter which ensures both the robust stability and a prescribed H-infinity performance of the filtering error dynamics for all admissible uncertainties. A sufficient condition for the existence of such a filter is given in terms of a linear matrix inequality (LMI). When this LMI is feasible, the expression of a desired H-infinity filter is also presented. A numerical example is provided to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed approach.