gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
NOVEL CDNF/MANF PROTEIN FAMILY: MOLECULAR STRUCTURE, EXPRESSION AND NEUROTROPHIC ACTIVITY (2009)

Neurotrophic factors (NTFs) are secreted proteins which promote the survival of neurons, formation and maintenance of neuronal contacts and regulate synaptic plasticity. NTFs are also potential drug candidates for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Parkinson’s disease (PD) is mainly caused by the degeneration of midbrain dopaminergic neurons. Current therapies for PD do not stop the neurodegeneration or repair the affected neurons. Thus, search of novel neurotrophic factors for midbrain dopaminergic neurons, which could also be used as therapeutic proteins, is highly warranted. \n\nIn the present study, we identified and characterized a novel protein named conserved dopamine neurotrophic factor (CDNF), a homologous protein to mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (MANF). Others have shown that MANF supports the survival of embryonic midbrain dopaminergic neurons in vitro, and protects cultured cells against endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. CDNF and MANF form a novel evolutionary conserved protein family with characteristic eight conserved cysteine residues in their primary structure. The vertebrates have CDNF and MANF encoding genes, whereas the invertebrates, including Drosophila and Caenorhabditis have a single homologous CDNF/MANF gene. \n\nIn this study we show that CDNF and MANF are secreted proteins. They are widely expressed in the mammalian brain, including the midbrain and striatum, and in several non-neuronal tissues. We expressed and purified recombinant human CDNF and MANF proteins, and tested the neurotrophic activity of CDNF on midbrain dopaminergic neurons using a 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) rat model of PD. In this model, a single intrastriatal injection of CDNF protected midbrain dopaminergic neurons and striatal dopaminergic fibers from the 6-OHDA toxicity. Importantly, an intrastriatal injection of CDNF also restored the functional activity of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system when given after the striatal 6-OHDA lesion. Thus, our study shows that CDNF is a potential novel therapeutic protein for the treatment of PD. \n\nIn order to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of CDNF and MANF activity, we resolved their crystal structure. CDNF and MANF proteins have two domains; an amino (N)-terminal saposin-like domain and a presumably unfolded carboxy (C)-terminal domain. The saposin-like domain, which is formed by five α-helices and stabilized by three intradomain disulphide bridges, may bind to lipids or membranes. The C-terminal domain contains an internal cysteine bridge in a CXXC motif similar to that of thiol/disulphide oxidoreductases and isomerases, and may thus facilitate protein folding in the ER. \n\nOur studies suggest that CDNF and MANF are novel potential therapeutic proteins for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Future studies will reveal the neurotrophic and cytoprotective mechanisms of CDNF and MANF in more detail.
La construcción del personaje en Las ratas de Miguel Delibes (2010)

En este trabajo se ensaya la aplicacion de metodos narratologicos al estudio de los personajes de una de las novelas mas significativas de Miguel Delibes, Las ratas.
The autophagy gene<i>ATG5</i>plays an essential role in B lymphocyte development (2008)

Macroautophagy (herein autophagy) is an evolutionarily conserved process, requiring the gene ATG5, by which cells degrade cytoplasmic constituents and organelles. Here we show that ATG5 is required for efficient B cell development and for the maintenance of B-1a B cell numbers. Deletion of ATG5 in B lymphocytes using Cre-LoxP technology or repopulation of irradiated mice with ATG5-/- fetal liver progenitors resulted in a dramatic reduction in B-1 B cells in the peritoneum. ATG5-/- progenitors exhibited a significant defect in B cell development at the pro- to pre-B cell transition, although a proportion of pre-B cells survived to populate the periphery. Inefficient B cell development in the bone marrow was associated with increased cell death, indicating that ATG5 is important for B cell survival during development. In addition, B-1a B cells require ATG5 for their maintenance in the periphery. We conclude that ATG5 is differentially required at discrete stages of development in distinct, but closely related, cell lineages.
A Hierarchical Key Pre-distribution Scheme (2006)

We present an efficient, scalable, and renewable hierarchical random key predistribution (KPD) scheme as an enabler for a low complexity security infrastructure. As the proposed KPD scheme employs only symmetric cryptographic primitives it permits resource constrained nodes to take part in the deployment. Further, two nodes need to exchange only their IDs before they can establish a shared secret. The proposed KPD scheme provides scalable security for different levels of the hierarchy depending on available resources. In addition higher levels of the hierarchy are protected from security breaches in lower levels
Preparation and optimization of ZnO films on single-crystal diamond substrate by metal-organic chemical vapour deposition (2004)

High-quality ZnO thin films have been grown on single-crystal diamond substrates with (111) orientation, by low-pressure metal-organic chemical vapour deposition. X-ray diffraction spectra and photoluminescence (PL) spectra clearly showed that the quality of ZnO films was improved by the two-step growth method. Strong ultraviolet emissions and weak deep-level emissions with different intensity were both observed in the room-temperature PL spectrum. The change of surface morphology was also studied by atomic force microscopy. Zn and O elements in the deposited ZnO/diamond films were investigated by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, in which the statistical result of the ratio for O/Zn atoms of samples was about 1. Raman scattering was performed at room temperature. The E2, A1(TO) and E1(TO) mode peaks were seen at 437.46, 383 and 414.87 cm−1, which indicated a high crystalline quality for our samples.
Dynamic characterization and damage detection in the I-40 bridge over the Rio Grande (1994)

In the 1960`s and 1970`s over 2500 bridges were built in the U.S. with a design similar to those on Interstate 40 over the Rio Grande in Albuquerque, New Mexico. These bridges were built without structural redundancy and typically have only two plate girders carrying the entire dead and live loads. Failure of either girder is assumed to produce catastrophic failure of the bridge, hence these bridges are referred to as fracture-critical bridges. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) have provided funds to New Mexico State University (NMSU) through the New Mexico State Highway and Transportation Department (NMSH&TD) and The Alliance For Transportation Research (ATR) for evaluation and testing of the existing fracture critical bridges over the Rio Grande. Because the 1-40 bridges over the Rio Grande were to be razed during the summer of 1993, the investigators were able to introduce simulated fatigue cracks, similar to those observed in the field, into the structure in order to test various damage identification methods and to observe the changes in load paths through the structure caused by the cracking. To support this research effort, NMSU contracted Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) to perform experimental modal analyses, and to develop experimentally verified numerical models of the bridge. Scientists from the LANL`s Condensed Matter and Thermal Physics Group (P-10) applied state-of-the-art sensors and data acquisition software to the modal tests. Engineers from the LANL`s Advanced Engineering Technology Group (MEE-13) conducted ambient and forced vibration tests to verify detailed and simplified finite element models of the bridge. Forced vibration testing was done in conjunction with engineers from Sandia National Laboratory (SNL) who provided and operated a hydraulic shaker.
<i>Clostridium difficile</i>Infections in a Canadian Tertiary Care Hospital before and during a Regional Epidemic Associated with the BI/NAP1/027 Strain (2008)

Since 2002, an epidemic of Clostridium difficile infections has occurred in southern Quebec, Canada. At Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, the incidence of C. difficile infections increased from 11/1,000 admissions (1999 to 2002) to 27/1,000 admissions (2003 to 2005). We compared the exposures and outcomes for patients infected with strains with different ribopatterns isolated before (n = 55) and during (n = 175) the epidemic, as well as the in vitro activities of antibiotics against those isolates. During the preepidemic period, 46 isolates (84%) were of ribotype 001, 1 was of ribotype 027, and 8 were of other ribopattern types. During the epidemic period, ribotype 027 strains accounted for 140 (80%) isolates; 26 (15%) were of ribotype 001, and 7 were of other ribopattern types. Ribotype 027 strains were highly resistant to fluoroquinolones (FQs) but were susceptible to clindamycin. A pattern of prior specific antibiotic exposure that selected for antibiotic-resistant ribotype C. difficile infections was observed for FQs (ribotype 027) and clindamycin (ribotype 001). The rate of mortality was higher among older patients, those with a high Charlson comorbidity index, and those with longer previous hospitalizations. By multivariate analysis, patients infected with ribotype 027 were twice as likely to die within 30 days of diagnosis than patients infected with other ribotypes (adjusted odds ratio, 2.06; 95% confidence interval, 1.00 to 4.22). The observations from this study support the notion that continued selective antibiotic pressure resulted in the superimposition of the hypertoxigenic ribotype 027 clone on top of the prior dominant ribotype 001 clone in a setting of preexisting high endemicity, thus leading to the high rates of morbidity and mortality seen in the Quebec outbreak. Stringent antibiotic stewardship measures, combined with aggressive infection control, are required to curtail the epidemic of C. difficile infections.
A Comparative Study on Particle Swarm Optimization for Optimal Steady-State Performance of Power Systems (2006)

In this paper, three new particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithms are compared with the state of the art PSO algorithms for the optimal steady-state performance of power systems, namely, the reactive power and voltage control. Two of the three introduced, the enhanced GPAC PSO and LPAC PSO, are based on the global and local-neighborhood variant PSOs, respectively. They are hybridized with the constriction factor approach together with a new operator, reflecting the physical force of passive congregation observed in swarms. The third one is based on a new concept of coordinated aggregation (CA) and simulates how the achievements of particles can be distributed in the swarm affecting its manipulation. Specifically, each particle in the swarm is attracted only by particles with better achievements than its own, with the exception of the particle with the best achievement, which moves randomly as a "crazy" agent. The obtained results by the enhanced general passive congregation (GPAC), local passive congregation (LPAC), and CA on the IEEE 30-bus and IEEE 118-bus systems are compared with an interior point (IP)-based OPF algorithm, a conventional PSO algorithm, and an evolutionary algorithm (EA), demonstrating the excellent performance of the proposed PSO algorithms
Overexpression of the rice <i>Osmyb4</i> gene increases chilling and freezing tolerance of <i>Arabidopsis thaliana</i> plants (2003)

The expression of the gene Osmyb4, detected at low level in rice (Oryza sativa) coleoptiles grown for 3 days at 29 degrees C, is strongly induced by treatments at 4 degrees C. At sublethal temperatures of 10 and 15 degrees C, its expression in rice seedlings is already evident, but this effect cannot be vicariated by other stresses or ABA treatment. We demonstrate by transient expression that Myb4 transactivates the PAL2, ScD9 SAD and COR15a cold-inducible promoters. The Osmyb4 function in vivo is demonstrated overexpressing its cDNA in Arabidopsis thaliana plants (ecotype Wassilewskija) under the control of the constitutive CaMV 35S promoter. Myb4 overexpressing plants show a significant increased cold and freezing tolerance, measured as membrane or Photosystem II (PSII) stability and as whole plant tolerance. Finally, in Osmyb4 transgenic plants, the expression of genes participating in different cold-induced pathways is affected, suggesting that Myb4 represents a master switch in cold tolerance.
Snapshot difference imaging using correlation time-of-flight sensors (2017)

Computational photography encompasses a diversity of imaging techniques, but one of the core operations performed by many of them is to compute image differences. An intuitive approach to computing such differences is to capture several images sequentially and then process them jointly. In this paper, we introduce a snapshot difference imaging approach that is directly implemented in the sensor hardware of emerging time-of-flight cameras. With a variety of examples, we demonstrate that the proposed snapshot difference imaging technique is useful for direct-global illumination separation, for direct imaging of spatial and temporal image gradients, for direct depth edge imaging, and more.
Structure of an alternating-B DNA helix and its relationship to A-tract DNA. (1988)

The crystal structure of the synthetic DNA dodecamer CGCATATATGCG has been solved at 2.2-A resolution. Its central 6 base pairs adopt the alternating-B-DNA helix structure proposed nearly a decade ago. This alternating poly(AT) structure contrasts with the four known examples of what can be termed a poly(A) subfamily of B-DNA structures: CGCAAAAAAGCG, CGCAAATTTGCG, CGCGAATTCGCG, and CGCGAATTbrCGCG, their defining characteristic being a succession of two or more adenines along one strand, in a region of 4 or more A.T base pairs. All five helices show a characteristically narrow minor groove in their AT centers, but the mean propeller twist at A.T base pairs is lower in the alternating poly(AT) helix than in the poly(A) subfamily of helices. Three general principles emerge from x-ray analyses of B-DNA oligonucleotides: (i) GC and mixed-sequence B-DNA have a wide minor groove, whereas the minor groove is narrow in heteropolymer or homopolymer AT sequences. (ii) G.C base pairs have low propeller twist; A.T pairs can adopt a high propeller twist but need not do so. A high propeller twist can be stabilized by cross-strand hydrogen bonds in the major or minor groove, examples being the minor groove bonds seen in CCAAGATTGG and the major groove bonds that can accompany AA sequences in the poly(A) family. (iii) Homopolymer poly(A) tracts may be stiffer than are alternating AT or general-sequence DNA because of these cross-strand major groove hydrogen bonds. Poly(A) tracts appear internally unbent, but bends may occur at junctions with mixed-sequence DNA because of differences in propeller twist, base pair inclination, and base stacking on the two sides of the junction. Bending occurs most easily via base roll, favoring compression of the broad major groove.
Sulfur-free Penicillin Derivatives. III. Regeneration of Fused β-Lactams via Intramolecular Displacement (1972)

Recyclization of a variety of sulfur-free penicillin derivatives is described. Fused oxazoline-azetidinones, a fused oxazolidone-azetidinone, an oxaanhydropenicillin and an azacephem have been prepared.
Landmark based liver segmentation using local shape and local intensity models (2007)

A 3D medical image segmentation algorithm is presented which models an object as a set of landmarks augmented with local appearance models similar as with Active Shape Model segmentation methods, but instead of applying a global shape model, multiple local shape models are used. A global cost function incorporating local in- tensity and local shape is optimized iteratively. A first implementation of the method is validated for the segmentation of the liver in contrast enhanced CT images and demonstrates that the method has potential. This work participates in the MICCAI 2007 Grand Challenge on 3D segmentation (1).
Flavonolignans from <i>Avena </i><i>s</i><i>ativa</i> (2005)

Three flavonolignans derived from the flavone tricin were isolated from Avena sativa herb. This is the first report of the presence of flavonolignans in A. sativa. In the known compounds 1a and 1b, a coniferyl alcohol moiety is linked to the flavone by an ether bond; in the new natural product 2, it is linked by C-C bonds. Structure elucidation of compound 2 was performed by 1D and 2D NMR experiments, and the absolute configuration was determined from circular dichroic data.
Resistive switching effect in metal/insulator/metal heterostructures and its application for non‐volatile memory (2007)

Abstract This paper presents two types of resistive switching effects observed in metal/insulator/metal heterostructures: one is the forced‐switch type, and the other is the memory‐switch type. The former was observed in metal/semi‐insulating GaAs hybrid structures. The nonlinear resistive switch showed a strong magnetic field dependence at room temperature. The latter, described in this report, appears in the Pt/Co oxide/Pt capacitor structures. The resistive switch showed bistability, which is certainly a phenomenon with great promise of application to nonvolatile solid state electronic memory. For both cases, the recent experimental evidences show that the electronic state of the interface between the metal electrode and the insulator plays a crucial role in the resistive switching effect. © 2007 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Social Integration and Severe Disabilities (1991)

The goal of social integration is shared across disciplines and espoused as a universal value in today's society; however, considerable controversy exists regarding the process most likely to result in the attainment of this goal for persons with severe disabilities. Proponents of traditional rehabilitation-remedial models propose delivery of intensive services in segregated environments specially designed to meet individual needs. Conversely, proponents of full-inclusion models maintain that services be provided in the mainstream of school and society. In the current study, the effects of integrated versus segregated schooling upon the educational and social competence of children with severe developmental disabilities were examined across a 2-year time period, using both classroom observation and standardized child-assessment measures. Children in integrated learning environments spent less time with therapists, equal time with special education teachers, more time with teaching assistants, more time with children with and without handicaps, and less time alone than did children in segregated learning environments. No differences were found on a traditional measure of developmental skills; however, on a measure of social competence, integrated children progressed, whereas segregated children regressed. Implications of these results are discussed in the context of public attitudes toward disability and educational reform in the mainstream of America's schools.
Modelling the Internet Delay Space Based on Geographical Locations (2009)

Existing approaches for modelling the Internet delay space predict end-to-end delays between two arbitrary hosts as static values. Further, they do not capture the characteristics caused by geographical constraints. Peer-to-peer (P2P) systems are, however, often very sensitive to the underlying delay characteristics of the Internet, since these characteristics directly influence system performance. This work proposes a model to predict lifelike delays between a given pair of end hosts. In addition to its low delay computation time, it has only linear memory costs which allows large scale P2P simulations to be performed. The model includes realistic delay jitter, subject to the geographical position of the sender and the receiver. Our analysis, using existing Internet measurement studies reveals that our approach seems to be an optimal tradeoff between a number of conflicting properties of existing approaches.
Porous Biomaterials Obtained Using Supercritical CO<sub>2</sub>−Water Emulsions (2007)

Highly porous, hydrophilic porous matrices were fabricated by using a high internal phase supercritical-CO2 (scCO2) emulsion templating technique. The novel aspect of the work resides in the combination of a natural biopolymer (dextran) as the building component of the matrices and of an environmentally benign solvent (supercritical-CO2) as the pore-generating phase. The synthetic route to the porous biomaterials involved the preliminary functionalization of the dextran chains with methacrylic moieties, formation of a scCO2-in-water concentrated emulsion, and curing of the external phase of the emulsion by radical polymerization. As the emulsion stabilizer a perfluoropolyether surfactant was chosen. The matrices obtained exhibit highly interconnected, trabecular morphologies. The porous biomaterial morphologies were qualitatively characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the evaluation of void and interconnect sizes was carried out on the micrographs taken with the light microscope. To tailor the morphologies of the porous structures, the influence of the volume fraction of the internal phase and of the surfactant/internal phase ratio was investigated. It was established that the variation of the volume fraction of the internal phase exerted only a limited influence on void and interconnect sizes. On the contrary the increase of surfactant concentration alters dramatically the distribution of void size, a large proportion of the void space enclosed within the matrix being attributable to voids with a diameter exceeding 100 microm. The free toxic solvent process of fabrication of the porous structures, the high water content, the expected biocompatibility, and the mechanical properties that resemble natural tissues make these porous hydrogels potentially useful for tissue engineering applications.
A Handbook of Medicinal Plants: A Complete Source Book (2004)

A handbook of medicinal plants: a complete source book , A handbook of medicinal plants: a complete source book , مرکز فناوری اطلاعات و اطلاع رسانی کشاورزی
PROPHYLACTIC CERCLAGE: A METHOD OF PREVENTING FEMUR FRACTURE IN UNCEMENTED TOTAL HIP ARTHROPLASTY (1992)

The incidence of femur fracture in non-cemented hip arthroplasty has been reported to be between 4.1% and 27.8%. To quantitate the hoop stress generated during insertion of a femoral broach in total hip arthroplasty and determine the effect of cerclage with both braided cable and wire, we harvested 14 pairs of embalmed cadaver femurs. These were reamed and broached to duplicate the surgical technique of inserting a straight non-cemented femoral component. Group one consisted of eight matched cadaver femurs which were tested using a single 2.0 mm chrome-cobalt cable placed around the calcar of one femur, with the other serving as a control. Group two consisted of five matched cadaver femurs which were tested using a single 18 gauge cerclage wire in the same manner. In group one, the femurs serving as controls were found to have a mean microstrain of (1425.00 +/- 1180.19). The eight femurs tested with a 2 mm cable were determined to have a mean microstrain of (4179 +/- 2853.89). In group two, the femurs serving as controls were found to have a mean microstrain of (962.60 +/- 956.78). The five femurs in group two tested with a cerclage wire were determined to have a mean microstrain of (1112.00 +/- 975.66). Using a paired t-test, statistical significance was achieved with a confidence level of P less than or equal to .01 in group one. Prophylactic wiring of the proximal femur with 2 mm cable increases the hoop stress resistance and, therefore, should decrease the incidence of intraoperative femur fractures in uncemented total hip arthroplasty.