gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Next-Generation Lithium Metal Anode Engineering via Atomic Layer Deposition (2015)

Lithium metal is considered to be the most promising anode for next-generation batteries due to its high energy density of 3840 mAh g(-1). However, the extreme reactivity of the Li surface can induce parasitic reactions with solvents, contamination, and shuttled active species in the electrolyte, reducing the performance of batteries employing Li metal anodes. One promising solution to this issue is application of thin chemical protection layers to the Li metal surface. Using a custom-made ultrahigh vacuum integrated deposition and characterization system, we demonstrate atomic layer deposition (ALD) of protection layers directly on Li metal with exquisite thickness control. We demonstrate as a proof-of-concept that a 14 nm thick ALD Al2O3 layer can protect the Li surface from corrosion due to atmosphere, sulfur, and electrolyte exposure. Using Li-S battery cells as a test system, we demonstrate an improved capacity retention using ALD-protected anodes over cells assembled with bare Li metal anodes for up to 100 cycles.
Quantification of HCV RNA in Clinical Specimens by Branched DNA (bDNA) Technology (2003)

The diagnosis and monitoring of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection have been aided by the development of HCV RNA quantification assays A direct measure of viral load, HCV RNA quantification has the advantage of providing information on viral kinetics and provides unique insight into the disease process. Branched DNA (bDNA) signal amplification technology provides a novel approach for the direct quantification of HCV RNA in patient specimens. The bDNA assay measures HCV RNA at physiological levels by boosting the reporter signal, rather than by replicating target sequences as the means of detection, and thus avoids the errors inherent in the extraction and amplification of target sequences. Inherently quantitative and nonradioactive, the bDNA assay is amenable to routine use in a clinical research setting, and has been used by several groups to explore the natural history, pathogenesis, and treatment of HCV infection.
Visible Light Induced Catalytic Water Reduction without an Electron Relay (2007)

Protons from water are reduced by a catalytic system composed of a heteroleptic iridium(III) photosensitizer [Ir(ppy)2(bpy)]+, platinum catalyst, and sacrificial reductant. The hydrogen quantum yield reaches 0.26 in this study, which proceeds via reductive quenching of the excited photosensitizer by triethanolamine. This simplified approach allows the characterization of degradation products that are otherwise obscured in more complex systems. A novel 16-well setup for parallel kinetic analysis of H2 evolution enables high-throughput screening of reaction conditions and quantization of the decaying reaction rate. DFT calculations rationalize the differences between this and previous studies on tris-diimine ruthenium(II) photosensitizers.
Pulsed Field Ablation for Persistent Superior Vena Cava (2022)

Persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) is a known arrhythmogenesis site in patients with atrial fibrillation. However, the optimal PLSVC isolation approach has remained unclear because of the potential risk of complications. The current study reports 2 cases of successful electrical PLSVC isolation using pulsed field ablation. (<b>Level of Difficulty: Intermediate.</b>).
The Art, Science, and Technology of Charcoal Production (2003)

In this review, we summarize the knowledge of the production and properties of charcoal that has been accumulated over the past 38 millenia. The manipulation of pressure, moisture content, and gas flow enables biomass carbonization with fixed-carbon yields that approachor attainthe theoretical limit after reaction times of a few tens of minutes. Much of the heat needed to carbonize the feed is released by vigorous, exothermic secondary reactions that reduce the formation of unwanted tars by augmenting the charcoal yield in a well-designed carbonizer. As a renewable fuel, charcoal has many attractive features: it contains virtually no sulfur or mercury and is low in nitrogen and ash; it is highly reactive yet easy to store and handle. Carbonized charcoal can be a good adsorbent with a large surface area and a semimetal with an electrical resistivity comparable to that of graphite. Recent advances in knowledge about the production and properties of charcoal presage its expanded use as a renewable fuel, reductant, adsorbent, and soil amendment.
Cytokines as Adjuvants for the Induction of Anti-Human Immunodeficiency Virus Peptide Immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgA Antibodies in Serum and Mucosal Secretions after Nasal Immunization (2002)

Safe and potent new adjuvants are needed for vaccines that are administered to mucosal surfaces. This study was performed to determine if interleukin-1alpha (IL-1alpha) combined with other proinflammatory cytokines provided mucosal adjuvant activity for induction of systemic and mucosal anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) peptide antibody when intranasally administered with an HIV peptide immunogen. Nasal immunization of BALB/c mice with 10 microg of an HIV env peptide immunogen with IL-1alpha, IL-12, and IL-18 on days 0, 7, 14, and 28 induced peak serum anti-HIV peptide immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) and IgA titers of 1:131,072 and 1:7,131, respectively (P = 0.05 versus no adjuvant). The use of cholera toxin (CT) as a mucosal adjuvant induced serum IgG1 and IgA titers of 1:32,768 and 1:776, respectively. The adjuvant combination of IL-1alpha, IL-12, and IL-18 induced anti-HIV peptide IgA titers of 1:1,176, 1:7,131, and 1:4,705 in saliva, fecal extracts and vaginal lavage, respectively. Titers induced by the use of CT as an adjuvant were 1:223, 1:1,176, and 1:675, respectively. These results indicate that the proinflammatory cytokines IL-1alpha, IL-12, and IL-18 can replace CT as a mucosal adjuvant for antibody induction and are important candidates for use as mucosal adjuvants with HIV and other vaccines.
ZMap: fast internet-wide scanning and its security applications (2013)

Internet-wide network scanning has numerous security applications, including exposing new vulnerabilities and tracking the adoption of defensive mechanisms, but probing the entire public address space with existing tools is both difficult and slow. We introduce ZMap, a modular, open-source network scanner specifically architected to perform Internet-wide scans and capable of surveying the entire IPv4 address space in under 45 minutes from user space on a single machine, approaching the theoretical maximum speed of gigabit Ethernet. We present the scanner architecture, experimentally characterize its performance and accuracy, and explore the security implications of high speed Internet-scale network surveys, both offensive and defensive. We also discuss best practices for good Internet citizenship when performing Internet-wide surveys, informed by our own experiences conducting a long-term research survey over the past year. 1
Indexing in an object-oriented DBMS (2018)

We describe indexing in the GemStone object-oriented database server, which supports a model of objects similar to that of Smalltalk-80. We begin with a brief description of the system's architecture and the role of indexing in GemStone. We then discuss the properties of object-oriented systems, and GemStone in particular, that make indexing considerably different than in a more conventional data model. Various approaches to indexing in an object-oriented model are presented. We describe both the design and implementation of indexing in GemStone. Lastly, we describe related work and note performance results from the initial instrumentation of the system.
High plasma basic fibroblast growth factor concentration is associated with response to thalidomide in progressive multiple myeloma. (2001)

The aim of this study was to define prognostic factors that might be predictive for response to thalidomide (Thal) in progressive multiple myeloma (n = 54). We examined the concentration of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), two potent heparin-binding mediators of angiogenesis in peripheral blood (PB; PB-VEGF and PB-bFGF) and bone marrow (BM; BM-VEGF and BM-bFGF), in combination with well-characterized predictors for response and survival to chemotherapy. After a median follow-up time of 15 months (range, 0.3-20), 29 patients (pts.) showed at least a minimal response to Thal therapy, whereas 25 pts. were nonresponsive. As shown by univariate analysis, responsive pts. had statistically significant higher concentrations of PB-bFGF (P = 0.009) and beta2-microglobulin (P = 0.03) before therapy, as well as lower hemoglobin (P = 0.008) and albumin (P = 0.02) levels, whereas no statistically significant difference was found for PB-VEGF (P = 0.93). When a multiple logistic regression analysis was performed, PB-bFGF was the only statistically significant predictor for response to therapy (P = 0.01). None of these variables was associated with a prolonged progression-free survival. In conclusion, our findings indicate that high pretreatment plasma bFGF levels in pts. with progressive multiple myeloma are associated with unfavorable parameters of response and survival but nevertheless predict for response to Thal therapy.
Animal models of diabetes mellitus (2005)

Animal models have been used extensively in diabetes research. Early studies used pancreatectomised dogs to confirm the central role of the pancreas in glucose homeostasis, culminating in the discovery and purification of insulin. Today, animal experimentation is contentious and subject to legal and ethical restrictions that vary throughout the world. Most experiments are carried out on rodents, although some studies are still performed on larger animals. Several toxins, including streptozotocin and alloxan, induce hyperglycaemia in rats and mice. Selective inbreeding has produced several strains of animal that are considered reasonable models of Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes and related phenotypes such as obesity and insulin resistance. Apart from their use in studying the pathogenesis of the disease and its complications, all new treatments for diabetes, including islet cell transplantation and preventative strategies, are initially investigated in animals. In recent years, molecular biological techniques have produced a large number of new animal models for the study of diabetes, including knock-in, generalized knock-out and tissue-specific knockout mice.
On Diamond codes (1997)

A Diamond code is an error-correcting code obtained from two component codes. As in a product code, any symbol in a word of a Diamond code is checked by both component codes. However, the "code directions" for the component codes have been selected to minimize the memory that is required between successive decoding stages for the component codes. Diamond codes combine the error correcting power of a product code with the reduced memory requirements of the cross interleaved Reed-Solomon code (CIRC), applied in the compact disk system. We discuss encoding, decoding, and minimum distance properties of Diamond codes. Variations on the Diamond code construction are proposed that result in codes that are suited for use in rewritable block-oriented applications.
The Coordination Chemistry of Fluorocarbons:  Difluoro-m-cyclophane-Based Fluorocryptands and Their Group I and II Metal Ion Complexes (1997)

The reactions of 1,3-bis(bromomethyl)-2-fluorobenzene with the bis(trifluoroacetamides) of 1,3-bis(aminomethyl)-2-fluorobenzene and 1,3-bis(aminomethyl)benzene yield the respective 1+1-condensed [3.3]-m-cyclophanes, respectively termed F(2)-phane (yield 39%) and HF-phane (yield 48%) without trifluoroacetamide groups. The reactions of F(2)-phane with 1,8-diiodo-3,6-dioxaoctane and 1,11-diiodo-3,6,9-trioxaundecane result in the respective 1+1-addition products 1,10-diaza-25,26-difluoro-4,7-dioxatetracyclo[8.7.7.1(12,16).1(19,23)]hexaeicosa-12,14,16(25),19,21,23(26)-hexene (= F(2)-[2.1.1]-cryptand) (yield 5%) and 1,13-diaza-28,29-difluoro-4,7,10-trioxatetracyclo[11.7.7.1(15,19).1(22,26)]nonaeicosa-15,17,19(28),22,24,26(29)-hexene (= F(2)-[3.1.1]-cryptand) (yield 39%). Analogous reactions of the HF-phane give the related macrocycles HF-[2.1.1]-cryptand (yield 68%) and HF-[3.1.1]-cryptand (yield 76%). The coordination of alkali and alkaline earth metal ions by these fluorophane cryptands results in significant shifts of the (19)F NMR resonances: F(2)-[2.1.1]-cryptand, delta -100.70 ppm; its Li(+) complex, delta -129.23 ppm. The (1)J(CF) coupling constant for such complexes is correlated with the degree of interaction between CF units and metal ions, and the most pronounced decrease (262 Hz to 232 Hz) is found for the lithium complex of the F(2)-[2.1.1]-cryptand. Competition experiments show the difluoro F(2)-[3.1.1]-cryptand to form significantly stronger complexes with Na(+) than the monofluoro HF-[3.1.1]-cryptand. In the crystal structure of F(2)-[2.1.1]-cryptand.NaCF(3)SO(3), the sodium ion displays an unusual F(2)O(4)N coordination sphere with extremely short sodium-fluorine distances: CF.Na(+) = 229.8(3), 235.7(4) pm; O-Na(+) = 228.5(4), 242.0(4), 243.8(4), 247.6(4) pm; N-Na(+) = 285.1(7) pm. In the closely related crystal structure of HF-[3.1.1]-cryptand.NaClO(4), the metal has an FO(5)N coordination sphere: CF.Na(+) = 236.0(4) pm; O-Na(+) = 234.8(6), 239.3(6), 240.3(12), 240.6(6), 285.7(17) pm; N-Na(+) = 272.3(6) pm. In the crystal structure of F(2)-[3.1.1]-cryptand.HCF(3)SO(3), the proton is in a pseudotetrahedral environment: N-H = 84 pm; O.HN = (216 pm; CF.HN = 224, 236 pm. This, however, is not considered indicative of significant CF.HN hydrogen bonding.
Are commercial probiotics and prebiotics effective in the treatment and prevention of honeybee nosemosis C? (2015)

The study was conducted to investigate the effect of Lactobacillus rhamnosus (a commercial probiotic) and inulin (a prebiotic) on the survival rates of honeybees infected and uninfected with Nosema ceranae, the level of phenoloxidase (PO) activity, the course of nosemosis, and the effect on the prevention of nosemosis development in bees. The cells of L. rhamnosus exhibited a high rate of survival in 56.56 % sugar syrup, which was used to feed the honeybees. Surprisingly, honeybees fed with sugar syrup supplemented with a commercial probiotic and a probiotic + prebiotic were more susceptible to N. ceranae infection, and their lifespan was much shorter. The number of microsporidian spores in the honeybees fed for 9 days prior to N. ceranae infection with a sugar syrup supplemented with a commercial probiotic was 25 times higher (970 million spores per one honeybee) than in a control group fed with pure sucrose syrup (38 million spores per one honeybee). PO activity reached its highest level in the hemolymph of this honeybee control group uninfected with N. ceranae. The addition of probiotics or both probiotics and prebiotics to the food of uninfected bees led to the ~2-fold decrease in the PO activity. The infection of honeybees with N. ceranae accompanied an almost 20-fold decrease in the PO level. The inulin supplemented solely at a concentration of 2 μg/mL was the only administrated factor which did not significantly affect honeybees' survival, the PO activity, or the nosemosis infection level. In conclusion, the supplementation of honeybees' diet with improperly selected probiotics or both probiotics and prebiotics does not prevent nosemosis development, can de-regulate insect immune systems, and may significantly increase bee mortality.
UV-irradiated epidermal cells produce a specific inhibitor of interleukin 1 activity. (1987)

UV irradiation of epidermal cells (EC) in vitro and in vivo leads to an enhanced synthesis of the immunostimulating cytokine interleukin 1 (IL 1). However, UV exposure in vivo also results in local as well as systemic immunosuppression. Therefore, it was tested whether UV-exposed murine EC in culture in addition to IL 1 release an inhibitor of IL 1 activity. Supernatants of UV-irradiated BALB/c EC and of a transformed keratinocyte cell line (Pam 212) were evaluated for their ability to suppress IL 1-mediated thymocyte proliferation. Crude supernatants derived from either UV-exposed or unirradiated EC did not interfere with IL 1 activity. When supernatants were subjected to HPLC gel filtration, fractions eluting at approximately 40 kD significantly blocked the activity of EC-derived IL 1 and murine recombinant IL 1. The release of this inhibitory cytokine (EC-derived contra-IL 1 [EC-contra-IL 1]) was confined to UV-exposed BALB/c or Pam 212 keratinocytes, since no inhibitory activity was detected in supernatants of unirradiated cells. EC-contra-IL 1 also blocked IL 1-induced fibroblast proliferation but did not suppress IL 2 or IL 3 activity. Moreover, EC-contra-IL 1 did not inhibit spontaneous proliferation of a variety of cell lines (Pam 212, P388D1, L 929, EL 4). With the use of chromatofocusing EC-contra-IL 1 exhibited a pI of 8.8, and upon reversed-phase chromatography it eluted within three distinct peaks. Therefore, murine UV-exposed EC, in addition to the production of immunoenhancing cytokines, also may release immunosuppressing mediators and thereby participate in UV-induced immunosuppression. These findings further support the notion that the epidermis may not only be considered as a simple barrier against harmful agents but represents an active element of the immune system.
Potential Contaminant Pathways from Hydraulically Fractured Shale to Aquifers (2012)

Hydraulic fracturing of deep shale beds to develop natural gas has caused concern regarding the potential for various forms of water pollution. Two potential pathways-advective transport through bulk media and preferential flow through fractures-could allow the transport of contaminants from the fractured shale to aquifers. There is substantial geologic evidence that natural vertical flow drives contaminants, mostly brine, to near the surface from deep evaporite sources. Interpretative modeling shows that advective transport could require up to tens of thousands of years to move contaminants to the surface, but also that fracking the shale could reduce that transport time to tens or hundreds of years. Conductive faults or fracture zones, as found throughout the Marcellus shale region, could reduce the travel time further. Injection of up to 15,000,000 L of fluid into the shale generates high pressure at the well, which decreases with distance from the well and with time after injection as the fluid advects through the shale. The advection displaces native fluids, mostly brine, and fractures the bulk media widening existing fractures. Simulated pressure returns to pre-injection levels in about 300 d. The overall system requires from 3 to 6 years to reach a new equilibrium reflecting the significant changes caused by fracking the shale, which could allow advective transport to aquifers in less than 10 years. The rapid expansion of hydraulic fracturing requires that monitoring systems be employed to track the movement of contaminants and that gas wells have a reasonable offset from faults.
Suppressing Layout-Induced Threshold Variations by Halo Engineering (2006)

When creating source/drain regions of a MOSFET transistor, the implants introduce crystal damage. During subsequent activation annealing, the implant damage serves as a source of silicon interstitials that create dopant transient-enhanced diffusion (TED). The amount of TED is determined by the source/drain area and by the proximity of STI boundary, where interstitials recombine. Different amount of TED, experienced by transistors with different shapes and sizes of their source/drain area, lead to the difference in dopant diffusion in the channel/halo, and the corresponding variation of the threshold voltage. Depending on specific combination of layout and process flow, the MOSFET threshold voltages can either increase or stay flat or decrease with the distance from the channel to the STI. For each set of design rules/technology node, it is possible to design the halo implants such that the threshold sensitivity is close to flat and therefore eliminate layout sensitivity of the threshold voltage.
REporting recommendations for tumour MARKer prognostic studies (REMARK) (2005)

Despite years of research and hundreds of reports on tumour markers in oncology, the number of markers that have emerged as clinically useful is pitifully small. Often initially reported studies of a marker show great promise, but subsequent studies on the same or related markers yield inconsistent conclusions or stand in direct contradiction to the promising results. It is imperative that we attempt to understand the reasons that multiple studies of the same marker lead to differing conclusions. A variety of methodological problems have been cited to explain these discrepancies. Unfortunately, many tumour marker studies have not been reported in a rigorous fashion, and published articles often lack sufficient information to allow adequate assessment of the quality of the study or the generalisability of the study results. The development of guidelines for the reporting of tumour marker studies was a major recommendation of the US National Cancer Institute and the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (NCI-EORTC) First International Meeting on Cancer Diagnostics in 2000. Similar to the successful CONSORT initiative for randomised trials and the STARD statement for diagnostic studies, we suggest guidelines to provide relevant information about the study design, preplanned hypotheses, patient and specimen characteristics, assay methods, and statistical analysis methods. In addition, the guidelines suggest helpful presentations of data and important elements to include in discussions. The goal of these guidelines is to encourage transparent and complete reporting so that the relevant information will be available to others to help them to judge the usefulness of the data and understand the context in which the conclusions apply.
Nonlinear optical microscopy analysis of ultrafast phase transformation in vanadium dioxide (2002)

The nonlinear optical properties of solid-solid phase transformation in vanadium dioxide are studied. It is found that the efficiency of the third-harmonic optical signal generated from the surface of the material increases by 1.5 orders of magnitude as a function of this phase transformation. Microscopy studies show the hysteresis of the phase transformation on a micrometer-size scale.