gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
New technology enables high precision multislit collimators for microbeam radiation therapy (2009)

During the past decade microbeam radiation therapy has evolved from preclinical studies to a stage in which clinical trials can be planned, using spatially fractionated, highly collimated and high intensity beams like those generated at the x-ray ID17 beamline of the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility. The production of such microbeams typically between 25 and 100 μm full width at half maximum (FWHM) values and 100–400 μm center-to-center (c-t-c) spacings requires a multislit collimator either with fixed or adjustable microbeam width. The mechanical regularity of such devices is the most important property required to produce an array of identical microbeams. That ensures treatment reproducibility and reliable use of Monte Carlo-based treatment planning systems. New high precision wire cutting techniques allow the fabrication of these collimators made of tungsten carbide. We present a variable slit width collimator as well as a single slit device with a fixed setting of 50 μm FWHM and 400 μm c-t-c, both able to cover irradiation fields of 50 mm width, deemed to meet clinical requirements. Important improvements have reduced the standard deviation of 5.5 μm to less than 1 μm for a nominal FWHM value of 25 μm. The specifications of both devices, the methods used to measure these characteristics, and the results are presented.
Floral Nectar Secretion and Ploidy inBrassica rapaandB. napus(Brassicaceae). II. Quantified Variability of Nectary Structure and Function in Rapid-cycling Lines (1996)

Haploid, diploid and tetraploid lines of Brassica rapa L. (syn. campestris), and allotetraploid B. napus L., were examined to determine the influence of ploidy on floral features, particularly nectary morphology and anatomy, and to relate nectary structure to nectar production capacity. Except for haploids, all lines were rapid-cycling. Average flower dry weight, and petal length and width, were in the descending order B. napus B. rapa (4n) 2n n. Pollen grains of 4n plants were larger than those of 2n plants ; haploids lacked pollen.
In Situ Observation of Cu–Ni Alloy Nanoparticle Formation by X‐Ray Diffraction, X‐Ray Absorption Spectroscopy, and Transmission Electron Microscopy: Influence of Cu/Ni Ratio (2013)

Abstract Silica‐supported, bimetallic Cu–Ni nanomaterials were prepared with different ratios of Cu to Ni by incipient wetness impregnation without a specific calcination step before reduction. Different in situ characterization techniques, in particular transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and X‐ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), were applied to follow the reduction and alloying process of Cu–Ni nanoparticles on silica. In situ reduction of Cu–Ni samples with structural characterization by combined synchrotron XRD and XAS reveals a strong interaction between Cu and Ni species, which results in improved reducibility of the Ni species compared with monometallic Ni. At high Ni concentrations silica‐supported Cu–Ni alloys form a homogeneous solid solution of Cu and Ni, whereas at lower Ni contents Cu and Ni are partly segregated and form metallic Cu and Cu–Ni alloy phases. Under the same reduction conditions, the particle sizes of reduced Cu–Ni alloys decrease with increasing Ni content. Estimates of the metal surface area from sulfur chemisorption and from the XRD particle size generally agree well on the trend across the composition range, but show some disparity in terms of the absolute magnitude of the metal area. This work provides practical synthesis guidelines towards preparation of Cu–Ni alloy nanomaterials with different Cu/Ni ratios, and insight into the application of different in situ techniques for characterization of the alloy formation.
Energy (1986)

Energy is of central importance to all living things. There are many activities and processes that sustain life and take place inside the cells of living things and energy is needed for them to take place. Such activities include synthesis of a large range of organic compounds, active uptake into cells of ions against concentration gradients between the cell and the environment, movement of part or the whole of an organism, and conduction of nerve impulses (figure 1.1).
Mouse-protective Properties of <i>Bordetella pertussis</i> Serotypes in Passive Tests (1967)

In a passive protection procedure in which the ed(50) values of Bordetella pertussis antisera were determined, groups of mice were given graded intraperitoneal doses of serum, followed the next day by intracerebral challenge with 100,000 organisms. Antiserum produced with B. pertussis culture 5373, serotype 1.3, protected mice against challenge with culture 18-323, serotype 1.2.3, as effectively as did an antiserum produced with a serotype 1.2.3 culture. When two groups of mice similarly treated with pertussis immune serum were challenged with culture 353Z (serotype 1) and 18-323, respectively, much lower ed(50) values were obtained with the animals challenged with 353Z. Passive protection tests with adsorbed antiserum gave equivocal results, suggesting that some of the adsorbing antigen remained in the serum and interfered with the tests. There was no evidence that serotype is related to protection.
An Unprecedentedly Huge Square-Grid Copper(II)−Organic Framework Material Built from a Bulky Pyrene-Derived Elongated Cross-Shaped Scaffold (2009)

A new bulky pyrene-derived elongated cross-shaped organic scaffold was successfully incorporated into a highly porous, noninterpenetrated square-grid copper(II)-organic framework material with the unprecedentedly huge dimensions of 25.5 x 25.5 A(2), while the layer-to-layer NH...N interaction leads to a unique hydrogen-bonded 6(4).8(2)-nbo net.
Who can decide? (1990)

The constitutionally provided "right of self-determination" can be lost when a individual's mental "capacity to choose" is affected by medical or psychiatric illness. "Competency" is a court-determined definition. However, physicians are expected to know how to determine "capacity to choose". This medical responsibility has become clear in the light of recent United States Supreme Court and South Dakota legislative action. The complexity of this issue is discussed, and a testing method for "capacity" is described.
Generation of monoclonal antibodies against prion proteins by nucleic-acid-mediated immunization of PrP0/0-mice (1996)

BACKGROUND: Prion diseases belong to a group of neurodegenerative disorders affecting humans and animals. The human diseases include kuru, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker syndrome (GSS), and fatal familial insomnia (FFI). The pathogenic mechanisms of the prion diseases are not yet understood. Monoclonal antibodies provide valuable tools in the diagnosis, as well as in the basic research, of several diseases; however, monospecific antisera or monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against human prion proteins were, until now, not available. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have developed an immunization protocol based on nucleic acid injection into nontolerant PrP0/0 mice. DNA or RNA coding for different human prion proteins including the mutated sequences associated with CJD, GSS, and FFI were injected into muscle tissue. Mice were primarily inoculated with DNA plasmids encoding the prion protein (PRNP) gene and boosted either with DNA, RNA, or recombinant Semliki Forest Virus particles expressing PRNP. Hybridomas were then prepared. RESULTS: Different mAbs against human prion proteins were obtained, and their binding behavior was analyzed by peptide enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Western blot, immunofluorescence, and immunoprecipitation. Their cross-reactivity with prion protein from other species was also determined. Our mAbs are directed against four different linear epitopes and may also recognize discontinuous regions of the native prion protein. CONCLUSIONS: These antibodies should allow us to address questions concerning the nature of the prion protein as well as the initiation and progression of prion diseases. Moreover, these mAbs can now be used for the diagnosis of prion diseases of humans and animals.
Effect of implantation dose on the hardness, friction, and wear of Sb-implanted Al (1984)

The hardness, friction, and wear behavior of Sb+-implanted commercially pure Al was investigated. The specimens were implanted at 200 KeV to doses of between 1013 and 1017 ions/cm2. Hardness was observed to increase linearly with dose. The increase in wear resistance was not dose dependent and the high doses were found to increase friction. Rutherford backscattering analysis revealed a significant damage of the Al lattice at high doses. It also showed that Fe and Cu, which are impurities in Al, diffused to and away from the implanted surface, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy indicated the formation of Sb and Fe precipitates. The mobility of implanted ions and impurity atoms is considered to be associated with the point defects created during the implantation of Sb+. The changes in the mechanical properties investigated probably resulted from the pinning effect that these defects and precipitates, and their associated stress fields, exert on dislocations.
Ragweed Immunotherapy in Adult Asthma (1996)

Although immunotherapy for adults with asthma exacerbated by seasonal ragweed exposure had positive effects on objective measures of asthma and allergy, the clinical effects were limited and many were not sustained for two years.
Stimulation of extraocular muscle fibroblasts by cytokines and hypoxia: possible role in thyroid‐associated ophthalmopathy (1994)

Extraocular muscle fibroblasts respond differently from dermal fibroblasts following cytokine stimulation, which may explain in part the anatomical localization of ophthalmopathy. Hypoxia stimulates fibroblasts and this could contribute, as an enhancing factor, to the adverse effects of smoking on thyroid eye disease.
Characteristics of cloud‐to‐ground lightning in severe and nonsevere storms over the central United States from 1989–1998 (2003)

Over a region from the Kansas/Colorado border to Minnesota, previously associated with positive anomalies in the mean annual positive cloud‐to‐ground (CG) lightning percentage and positive peak current, we describe significant differences in the properties of CG lightning flashes between warm‐season severe (i.e., large hail or tornado producing) and nonsevere storms. The percentage of CG lightning flashes lowering positive charge to ground was substantially higher in severe storms (i.e., up to three times higher). The median positive peak current in severe storms was significantly larger (i.e., by about 25%). Finally, the median negative peak current in severe storms was very low (i.e., as low as 12–16 kA) and was noticeably smaller than in nonsevere storms (i.e., by at least 10%). Severe storms appeared to be significant producers of positive CG lightning in the anomaly region (AR). Up to 30%–70% of warm season positive flashes in the AR were associated with severe storms. Only 2%–30% of negative flashes were associated with severe storms in the AR. As a result, the mean warm season (and likely annual) positive anomalies in positive CG percentage and peak current are likely associated with a unique class of severe, organized storms that occur preferentially in this geographical region. We found substantial differences in the properties of CG lightning flashes associated with severe storms in other regions. For example, the mean warm season properties of CG lightning associated with severe storms in the region of peak large hail and tornado activity (e.g., Oklahoma) were fundamentally different (i.e., significantly lower positive CG percentage, lower positive peak currents and higher negative peak currents) compared to severe storms over the AR from western Kansas to Minnesota.
Moving Vehicle Classification Using Eigenspace (2006)

A novel moving vehicle classification technique is introduced in this paper. The proposed method considers only particular viewpoint(s) of a car for classifying similar car and/or non-car. We obtain three different views (rear, side and front views) of cars and develop an eigendatabase. This paper shows that eigenspaces are well separated with respect to the car views and, therefore, car and non-car can easily be classified using the respective eigen subspaces. We then generalize the respective eigenspaces taking a mean of the respective feature points. Since the car eigenspace finally contains only the feature of obtained views, it makes our approach very simple and computationally inexpensive. For the classification, we also present a new matching algorithm based on eigendimension for classifying car and non-car. The proposed classifier is compared with Euclidean and Mahalanobis distance-based classifier, and experimental results from the real world scenes show the effectiveness of the proposed method
An impedance-analyser-based multi-channel imaging system and its applications (2008)

Imaging systems based on impedance measurement are widely used in medical, process monitoring and non-destructive testing, where their hardware designs, measurement range and accuracy are often application-specific. Impedance analysers can deliver excellent performance in terms of reliability, resolution and accuracy. A multi-channel imaging system has been developed using an impedance analyser with a specifically designed multiplexer box, hardware interface and corresponding software to provide flexibility in sensor connection. With a GUI written in Matlab, various algorithms have been implemented and data can be further analysed. We show here that it is a useful tool for a wide range of applications involving impedance measurement, single- or multi-modality 2D or 3D imaging. This system has been used for (a) imaging flow in a porous medium, (b) 3D ECT imaging and (c) security imaging with dual-modality planar capacitive and magnetic sensor arrays.
Carbohydrate Starvation Stimulates Differential Expression of Rice α-Amylase Genes That Is Modulated through Complicated Transcriptional and Posttranscriptional Processes (1996)

Expression of alpha-amylase genes in cultured rice suspension cells is induced by sucrose starvation. To study the mechanism of sugar metabolite regulation on the expression of individual alpha-amylase genes, DNA fragments specific to each of eight rice alpha-amylase genes were synthesized and used as gene-specific probes. Comparison of the relative abundance of mRNA revealed that expression of the eight alpha-amylase genes in rice cells was differentially regulated by sucrose starvation. Accumulation of all the alpha-amylase mRNAs increased in response to sucrose starvation; however, levels of the alphaAmy3 and alphaAmy8 mRNAs were distinctly higher and constituted 90% of total alpha-amylase mRNAs. RNA gel blot and nuclear run-on transcription analyses demonstrated a positive correlation between the increased transcription rates and the elevated steady-state levels of alpha-amylase mRNAs induced by sucrose starvation. The half-lives of alphaAmy3, alphaAmy7, and alphaAmy8 were prolonged by sucrose-starvation; however, the stability of the three mRNAs seems controlled by different mechanisms. The translation inhibitors cycloheximide and anisomycin preferentially blocked the sucrose-suppressed expression of alphaAmy3 but not that of alphaAmy7 and alphaAmy8. These inhibitors also enhanced the sucrose starvation-induced accumulation of alphaAmy3 mRNA but not that of alphaAmy7 or alphaAmy8 mRNAs. Cycloheximide did not significantly alter the transcription rates of alpha-amylase genes, suggesting that labile proteins may selectively stabilize the alphaAmy7 and alphaAmy8 mRNAs but destabilize the alphaAmy3 mRNA.
Molecular differential diagnosis of renal cell carcinomas by microsatellite analysis. (1996)

Recent application of molecular cytogenetic techniques has resulted in a new type of genetic classification of renal cell tumors. The key aspect of the novel diagnostic concept is reflected by biologically distinct entities, each characterized by a specific combination of genetic changes. To work out a diagnostic/prognostic approach, we have applied polymorphic microsatellite markers for a quick analysis, based on polymerase chain reaction, of 82 tumor specimens. We compared the results to previously evaluated cytogenetic and histological data. All nonpapillary and chromophobe renal cell carcinomas, which make up approximately 90% of all malignant renal cell tumors, and a subset of renal oncocytomas were correctly diagnosed by detection of loss of heterozygosity at chromosomal sites 1, 2, and 3p. Allelic losses at chromosomal regions 8p, 9p, and 14q are associated with an advanced pathological stage of nonpapillary renal cell carcinomas. A loss of heterozygosity at chromosomes 6, 10, 13, 17, and 21, in addition to those at chromosomes 1 and 2, confirm the diagnosis of chromophobe renal cell tumors. Using this approach, the differential diagnosis of renal cell tumors could be carried out within 1 or 2 days.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Stimulatory Activity by<i>Gardnerella vaginalis:</i>Relationship to Biotypes and Other Pathogenic Characteristics (2001)

Stimulation of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 expression by Gardnerella vaginalis is one possible cause for an increase in the amount of virus in the genital tract. The ability of G. vaginalis to induce HIV expression in chronically infected U1 cells was investigated, along with its possible relationship to biotype, genotype, and resistance to metronidazole and bacteriocin. Significant HIV stimulatory activity was found in 5 (50%) lysates of G. vaginalis. The ability to induce HIV expression in U1 cells was statistically associated with G. vaginalis biotype (P=.048) but not with genotype or resistance to metronidazole and bacteriocin. Further studies to explore the in vivo relevance of HIV activation by G. vaginalis in the female genital tract are warranted, since prevention strategies of bacterial vaginosis and colonization by certain biotypes of G. vaginalis may be valuable in reducing the risk of sexual transmission of HIV.
Molecular materials II Part B. Molecular electronics? (1990)

In the second part of this three‐part article the problems which have to be overcome in order to make use of molecular electronics e.g. quantum fluctuations, switching errors, heat dissipation and limited input/output possibilities are examined.
Stimulating Innovative Thinking (1997)

Recent research shows that certain types of dialogue can spur technical creativity. Coaching dialogues that support a scientist's autonomy while providing guidance are particularly effective for st...
A novel ∈‐lysine acylase from <i>Streptomyces mobaraensis</i> for synthesis of <i>N∈</i>‐acyl‐<scp>l</scp>‐lysines (2005)

Abstract A novel ∈‐lysine acylase ( N 6 ‐acyl‐ l ‐lysine amidohydrolase; EC 3.5.1.17) was isolated from Streptomyces mobaraensis and purified to homogeneity by SDS‐PAGE from the culture broth. The purified enzyme was monomeric, with a molecular mass of approximately 60 kDa. The enzyme was inactivated by the presence of 1,10‐phenanthroline and activated in the presence of Co 2+ and Zn 2+ . The enzyme showed a pH optimum of 8.0 and was stable at temperatures of up to 50°C for 1 h at pH 8.0. The enzyme specifically catalyzed the hydrolysis of the amide bond of various N ∈‐acyl‐ l ‐lysines. Furthermore, the enzyme efficiently catalyzed the synthesis of N ∈‐acyl‐ l ‐lysines with fatty and aromatic acyl groups in an aqueous buffer. In the syntheses of N ∈‐decanoyl‐ l ‐lysine, N ∈‐lauroyl‐ l ‐lysine, and N ∈‐myristoyl‐ l ‐lysine, the product precipitated and the yield was 90% or higher using 10 mM FA and 0.5 M l ‐lysine as the substrate.
The Mechanism of the Synthesis of Indoleglycerol Phosphate Catalyzed by Tryptophan Synthase from <i>Escherichia coli</i> (1976)

The mechanism of indoleglycerol phosphate synthesis from indole and D-glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate catalyzed by tryptophan synthase has been investigated by steady-state kinetic techniques. The equilibrium constant and the progress curves were measured by use of the difference in absorbance between indole and indoleglycerol phosphate. Stopped-flow measurements show that only the non-hydrated form of D-glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate serves as substrate. The product analogue indolepropanol phosphate was used as an inhibitor to discriminate between possible mechanisms. The data agree well with an ordered addition mechanism with D-glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate adding first. Mechanisms involving random addition of substrates or ordered addition with indole adding first can be excluded because indolepropanol phosphate is a competitive inhibitor only towards glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate. The high affinity of tryptophan synthase for indoleglycerol phosphate leads to product inhibition even at small extents of reaction. Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate combines with the enzyme with an apparent second-order rate constant, which is not diffusion controlled and generates a site with high affinity for indole.
Optimizing Motion Compensated Prediction for Error Resilient Video Coding (2009)

This paper is concerned with optimization of the motion compensated prediction framework to improve the error resilience of video coding for transmission over lossy networks. First, accurate end-to-end distortion estimation is employed to optimize both motion estimation and prediction within an overall rate-distortion framework. Low complexity practical variants are proposed: a method to approximate the optimal motion via simple distortion and source coding rate models, and a source-channel prediction method that uses the expected decoder reference frame for prediction. Second, reference frame generation is revisited as a problem of filter design to optimize the error resilience versus coding efficiency tradeoff. The special cases of leaky prediction and weighted prediction (i.e., finite impulse response filtering), are analyzed. A novel reference frame generation approach, called "generalized source-channel prediction", is proposed, which involves infinite impulse response filtering. Experimental results show significant performance gains and substantiate the effectiveness of the proposed encoder optimization approaches.