gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Dorsal hand vein recognition based on convolutional neural networks (2017)

In this paper, we proposed a dorsal hand vein recognition method based on Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), compared the recognition rate of different depth CNN models and analyzed the influence of dataset size on dorsal hand vein recognition rate. Firstly, the region of interest (ROI) of dorsal hand vein images was extracted, and contrast limited adaptive histogram equalization (CLAHE) and Gaussian smoothing filter algorithm were used to preprocess the images. Then Reference-CaffeNet AlexNet and VGG depth CNN were trained to extract image feature. Finally, logistic regression was applied for identification. The experimental results on two different size of dataset shown that the depth of network and size of data set size have different degree effect on recognition rate, the dorsal hand vein recognition rate based on VGG-19 reaches 99.7%. In this paper, we also explored the feasibility of ensemble learning on SqueezeNet. The recognition rate declined slightly with 99.52%, but the model size has been decreased sharply.
Targeted dendrotomy reveals active and passive contributions of the dendritic tree to synaptic integration and neuronal output (2007)

Neurons typically function as transduction devices, converting patterns of synaptic inputs, received on the dendrites, into trains of output action potentials in the axon. This transduction process is surprisingly complex and has been proposed to involve a two-way dialogue between axosomatic and dendritic compartments that can generate mutually interacting regenerative responses. To manipulate this process, we have developed a new approach for rapid and reversible occlusion or amputation of the primary dendrites of individual neurons in brain slices. By applying these techniques to cerebellar Purkinje and layer 5 cortical pyramidal neurons, we show directly that both the active and passive properties of dendrites differentially affect firing in the axon depending on the strength of stimulation. For weak excitation, dendrites act as a passive electrical load, raising spike threshold and dampening axonal excitability. For strong excitation, dendrites contribute regenerative inward currents, which trigger burst firing and enhance neuronal excitability. These findings provide direct support for the idea that dendritic morphology and conductances act in concert to regulate the excitability of the neuron.
Effect of Cooking Mode on the Cooking Behavior of Rice (2008)

The cooking process was studied with an automatic rice cooker to determine the effect of cooking mode on the properties of cooked rice. Each form of rice was cooked with three different water-rice ratios in their corresponding cooking mode. The hydration characteristics, temperature and energy consumption profile were also measured. The hydration increased with an increase in soaking time and was higher for milled rice compared to the brown rice. Cooking time, temperature and energy consumption profiles varied from rice to rice, and seems to be dependent on the cooking mode, and consumed different amount of energy. For a certain hardness value of cooked rice, brown rice required the longest cooking time and water-rice ratio and attains highest amount of moisture compared to others, hence consumed the highest amount of energy. This study also revealed that the cooking properties of rice dependent on the forms of rice, water-rice ratio and the preset cooking mode.
Development of multi-spiral confinements in rectangular columns for construction automation (2012)

Proper design of confinement reinforcement in columns is critically important for buildings that need to survive strong earthquakes. This paper presents the development of an innovative multispiral confinement design for rectangular reinforced concrete columns through testing and evaluation of a large number of concrete column specimens in axial compression and lateral cyclic loadings. In the first phase of this test program, 10 confinement designs, including four rectilinear configurations and six different multispiral configurations, were evaluated in a series of axial compression tests. The test results show that the specimens with multispiral configurations exhibited higher compressive strengths, energy capacities, and ductility than those with rectilinear confinement designs. Among them, two multispiral confinement designs (i.e., combinations of four spirals and five spirals) and a design with a spiral and cross ties exhibited better confinement effectiveness and, therefore, were selected for further study in the Phase II study. In the Phase II study, detailed axial compression tests and lateral cyclic loading tests were carried out for four confinement designs that include one conventional stirrup design, combinations of four spirals and five spirals designs, and a spiral with cross ties. Test variables include various strengths of concrete, spiral pitches, the sizes and yield strengths of the spiral reinforcement, and the volumetric ratio of the confinement reinforcement. The test results clearly indicate that the multispiral reinforced concrete specimens exhibited higher compressive strengths and ductility capacities as compared to the columns with the conventional stirrup design. Among the specimens tested, the five-spiral confinement design (consisting of one large spiral at the center and four small ones at the four corners) shows the highest compressive strength, and ductility capacity.
OVARIAN EXPRESSION OF GENES ENCODING FIGalpha AND DAZL IN A MARSUPIAL, THE BRUSHTAIL POSSUM (Trichosurus vulpecula) (2007)

Ovarian follicular formation and growth involve many complex interactions between oocytes and somatic cells. The oocyte has been shown to play an important role in the coordination of these interactions, and must undergo various transitions towards becoming a mature fertilizable egg. An understanding of these processes requires knowledge of the genes that are expressed in specific cell types and during different stages of development. Several germ cell-specific genes with roles in coordinating transcription and translation have been identified. Factor in the germline alpha (Fig alpha) is a transcription factor, encoded by the Figla gene, that has been shown to be essential for the formation of primordial follicles and in regulating the expression of the zona pellucida genes. The RNA-binding protein Dazl is required for the normal progression of cells through meiosis. Disruption in the expression of either of these genes leads to infertility in female mice. Their expression has not been determined in marsupials. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the time of onset and cellular localization of gene expression for Figla and Dazl in the brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula). Ovaries were collected from female pouch young (n=3–4 per group) around the time of sexual differentiation of the gonad (days 1–2 after birth), immediately following sexual differentiation (day 10), before (day 20) and just after (day 40) the initiation of meiosis, around the time of follicular formation and initiation of growth (day 60), and during times when growing (day 120) and antral follicles (day 180) were present. Ovaries were also collected from juvenile (n=3) and adult (n=3–6) animals. Gene expression was determined by in situ hybridization. Expression of both Figla and Dazl was specific to germ cells. For Dazl, low levels of expression were first observed in oogonia at day 10 postpartum. After the initiation of meiosis, the intensity of expression increased and remained high in oocytes from primordial to antral follicles. Expression of Figla was first observed in oocytes of newly formed primordial follicles and was found in all subsequent stages of follicular growth. In conclusion, the expression patterns of Figla and Dazl were similar to those reported in other species, thus it is likely that the functions of Fig alpha and Dazl are highly conserved and also play important roles during follicular formation and growth in marsupials. (poster)
Translational disequilibrium as an interference marker to study miRNA and methylation silencing of APRIN, a stem cell regulator in breast cancer microchimerism (2009)

11109 Background: Gene silencing is universally observed in cancer and involves promoter DNA methylation. We found that a cohesin-related stem cell regulator, APRIN (Pds5B) was silenced in breast cancer clinical samples. Surprisingly, in 40% of these samples DNA methylation was not involved. Furthermore, in some breast cancer cell lines the APRIN protein was silenced without transcript downregulation or promoter methylation. This “translational disequilibrium” has been frequently reported with other proteins, but without mechanistic explanations. Recent results with RNA interference indicate that gene repression through microRNAs (typically mismatched) is mostly translational without transcript degradation. We propose, therefore, that the puzzling translational disequilibrium phenomenon is a new form of epigenetic silencing by miRNA mechanisms. We aim (i) to verify miRNA epigenetics of APRIN silencing in breast cancer cell lines; (ii) to study clinical breast cancer samples for methylation vs. miRNAs mechanisms in APRIN translational disequilibrium; and (iii) to investigate if miRNA silencing of APRIN affects a fetal embryonic stem cell pool in breast cancer (microchimerism). Methods: (i) We used miRNA mimics and miRNA inhibitors in breast cancer cell lines to verify specific miRNA involvement in APRIN silencing. (ii) We used immunohistochemistry with bisulfite converted DNA for methylation and microdissected RNA for microRNA interference studies from 56 clinical breast cancer samples. (iii) We used Y-chromosome markers on microdissected DNA for fetal microchimerism studies. Results: (i) We found that in breast cancer cell lines with APRIN translational disequilibrium a set of microRNAs correlate with APRIN silencing. (ii) We found miRNA related mechanisms in about 35 percent of breast cancer samples where APRIN was silenced and (iii) APRIN may specifically affect stem cells of fetal origin in the mother's mammary gland and contribute to cancer. Conclusions: The novel miRNA-based mechanism maybe a new epigenetic factor of gene silencing in cancer. We experimentally confirmed a set of APRIN specific miRNAs and established preliminary correlations with fetal microchimerism in breast cancer. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Allosteric Targeting of the Fanconi Anemia Ubiquitin-Conjugating Enzyme Ube2T by Fragment Screening (2017)

Ube2T is the E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme of the Fanconi anemia DNA repair pathway and it is overexpressed in several cancers, representing an attractive target for the development of inhibitors. Despite the extensive efforts in targeting the ubiquitin system, very few E2 binders have currently been discovered. Herein we report the identification of a new allosteric pocket on Ube2T through a fragment screening using biophysical methods. Several fragments binding to this site inhibit ubiquitin conjugation in vitro.
Superconducting joint of multifilamentary Bi(Pb)-Sr-Ca-Cu-O tapes (2003)

We joined BSCCO(2223) multifilamentary tapes and evaluated their electrical and mechanical properties. In the process, two superconducting-joint methods were used; one is direct connection of two multifilamentary tapes (MM-joint), and the other is connection of them by using one or two single filamentary tape (MSM-) and double-MSM- joint. The critical current ratio (CCR) and n-value of the jointed tapes were evaluated as a function of uniaxial pressure. It was observed that the CCR and n-value were 24.8-29.0% and 2.5-2.8, respectively, for MM-jointed tape. On the other hand, the corresponding values were improved to 24.8-53.9% and 2.9-4.1 for MSM- and 63.4-76.0% and 3.5-5.1 for double-MSM-jointed tape, respectively. The highest electrical properties of double-MSM-joint are considered to be due to the presence of single core, resulting in better interconnections of multifilaments between the two tapes. The mechanical property of jointed tape was also evaluated and correlated to the microstructural evolution.
Layer-2 Mobility Management in HybridWired/Wireless Systems (2005)

In hybrid wired and wireless systems, mobile hosts constantly changes points of attachment to the wired networks, causing frequent disruptions to the ongoing network traffic. An infrastructure supported approach is required to meet the stringent delay and jitter requirements in non-disrupted services. We propose a mobility management scheme, called personal AP, to support seamless roaming. In personal AP systems, the network attachment information, i.e., the association states, of a mobile station is extracted, and handed off from one physical access point to another along with the mobile station, thus eliminating the mobile station from reassociating with new access points. Simulation results show that personal AP can greatly reduce the handoff latencies, and is suitable to support delay-sensitive multimedia applications
Shear Elastic Modulus on Patellar Tendon Captured from Supersonic Shear Imaging: Correlation with Tangent Traction Modulus Computed from Material Testing System and Test–Retest Reliability (2013)

Characterization of the elastic properties of a tendon could enhance the diagnosis and treatment of tendon injuries. The purpose of this study was to examine the correlation between the shear elastic modulus on the patellar tendon captured from a Supersonic Shear Imaging (SSI) and the tangent traction modulus computed from a Material testing system (MTS) on 8 fresh patellar pig tendons (Experiment I). Test-retest reliability of the shear elastic modulus captured from the SSI was established in Experiment II on 22 patellar tendons of 11 healthy human subjects using the SSI. Spearman Correlation coefficients for the shear elastic modulus and tangent traction modulus ranged from 0.82 to 1.00 (all p<0.05) on the 8 tendons. The intra and inter-operator reliabilities were 0.98 (95% CI: 0.93-0.99) and 0.97 (95% CI: 0.93-0.98) respectively. The results from this study demonstrate that the shear elastic modulus of the patellar tendon measured by the SSI is related to the tangent traction modulus quantified by the MTS. The SSI shows good intra and inter-operator repeatability. Therefore, the present study shows that SSI can be used to assess elastic properties of a tendon.
Preliminary reactor cavity melt dispersal model for direct containment heating scenarios (1989)

This paper presents the results of a series of experiments performed to study the effect of initial pressure vessel conditions on the extent of melt dispersal from scaled reactor cavities and describes progress in development of a mathematical model which is designed to predict the melt mass dispersed from reactor cavities as a function of reactor vessel initial conditions and on the vessel breach area. The model, which is being developed to also characterize the heat transfer and chemical reaction phenomena which would take place within the reactor cavity, is designed to be incorporated into a lumped-parameter containment analysis computer code.
Synthesis, Characterization and Cytocompatibility of Polyurethaneurea Elastomers with Designed Elastase Sensitivity (2005)

In designing a synthetic scaffold for engineering soft, mechanically active tissues, desirable properties include elasticity, support of cell adhesion and growth, ease of processability, and responsiveness to in vivo remodeling. To achieve these properties, we have developed a family of thermoplastic elastomers, polyurethaneureas (PUs), that possess enzymatic remodeling capabilities in addition to simple hydrolytic lability. PUs were synthesized using either polycaprolactone or triblock copolymer polycaprolactone-b-poly(ethylene glycol)-b-polycaprolactone as the soft segment, 1,4-butanediisocyanate as the hard segment, and the peptide Ala-Ala-Lys as a chain extender. The synthesized PUs had high molecular weights, low glass transition temperatures (< -54 degrees C), and were flexible with breaking strains of 670-890% and tensile strengths of 15-28 MPa. Incubation in buffered saline without elastase for 8 weeks resulted in mass loss from 12% to 18% depending on soft segment composition. The degradation significantly increased (p < 0.05) in the presence of elastase, ranging from 19% to 34% with degradation products showing no cytotoxicity. To encourage cell adhesion, PUs were surface-modified with radio frequency glow discharge followed by coupling of Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser (RGDS). Endothelial cell adhesion was >140% of tissue culture polystyrene on PU surfaces and >200% on RGDS-modified surfaces. The synthesized PUs thus combine mechanical, chemical, and bioresponsive properties that might be employed in soft-tissue engineering applications.
ATS-6 spacecraft design/performance (1974)

A description is given of major program objectives and experiment requirements established for ATS-6. The ability to slew across the earth's disk in less than 30 min was needed to support tightly scheduled communication operations involving different parts of the earth. Two major experiments were developed which involve direct satellite relay of educational color television programs to simple ground receivers. Details of spacecraft configuration are discussed along with aspects of spacecraft ground testing. The ATS-6 was successfully launched on schedule from Cape Canaveral on May 30, 1974, with the aid of a Titan IIIC. The in-orbit performance of the spacecraft communication subsystem has been excellent.
A photonic crystal fiber with zero dispersion at 1064 nm (2002)

We report on the dispersion properties of a single mode, large core photonic crystal fiber. Using white light interferometry the fiber is found to have zero dispersion at 1064 nm
Markers of oxidative stress in obese men with and without hypertension (2016)

The measurement of urinary excretion of 8-oxoGuo suggests that obesity in men, but not hypertension, is associated with increased oxidative damage to RNA.
Induction of Apoptosis Without Differentiation by Retinoic Acid in PLB-985 Cells Requires the Activation of Both RAR and RXR (1997)

Retinoic acid (RA) induces differentiation, followed by apoptosis in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) cells, both in vitro and in patients. One problem in understanding these mechanisms is to distinguish molecular events leading to differentiation from those leading to apoptosis. We have identified a leukemic cell line, PLB-985, where RA directly induces apoptosis with no morphologic, genetic, or cell-surface marker evidence of differentiation. These cells differentiate following dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), but not RA, treatment. Two-color flow cytometry showed no alteration of the cell cycle after RA treatment, and cell-surface marker analysis of CD11a, CD11b, and CD13 showed no modulation typical of differentiating cells. RNA expression of myeloblastin and transglutaminase, genes regulated by RA-induced differentiation in NB4 cells, was unchanged by RA treatment. Instead, RA induced apoptosis, as shown by typical apoptotic morphological features, genomic DNA laddering, and positive labeling in the TUNEL assay. We found that induction of apoptosis in this model requires a different pattern of retinoid receptor binding and transcriptional activation than is seen in APL cells. As previously described, treatment with retinoid receptor-selective ligands showed that stimulation of RAR alone is sufficient to induce differentiation and apoptosis in NB4 cells, and that stimulation of RXR has no effect on the parameters analyzed. In PLB-985 cells, on the other hand, apoptosis was induced only upon costimulation of both RAR and RXR. Stimulation of either receptor alone had no effect on the cells. Consistent with these findings, bcl-2 RNA and protein levels were downregulated after stimulation of both RAR and RXR, but not with an RAR-specific ligand alone, as in NB4 cells. The expression of several other bcl-2 family members (bcl-X, ich-1, bax, bag, and bak ) and retinoid receptors (RARalpha, RXRalpha, and RXRbeta) was not affected by treatment with RAR- and/or RXR-activating retinoids; RARbeta RNA was undetectable before and after retinoid treatment. Thus, our cell model provides a useful tool in determining the genetic events mediating apoptosis as a response to RA, unobscured by events implicated in differentiation.
Intimal hyperplasia in autogenous veins used for arterial replacement. (1982)

This study compares the effects on intimal hyperplasia of different methods of manipulating a vein graft before using it as an arterial substitute. Grafts that were denuded of endothelium showed the most intimal hyperplasia, while those that were washed with saline, dilated with saline or crushed did not differ appreciably from each other with respect to the degree of intimal hyperplasia. The hyperplasia was well developed and stabilized at 3 weeks, which coincided with restoration of the endothelial surface. The similarity between the last three methods of graft manipulation suggests that minor endothelial disruption produced at the time of harvesting the vein is equalized after insertion of the vein into the arterial circulation.
Digital multilevel audio power amplifier with a MASH sigma-delta modulator to reduce harmonic distortion (2005)

This paper presents a digital multi-level audio power amplifier with a MASH sigma-delta modulator, to eliminate narrow pulses, generated by conventional PWM modulators, but distorted by the non-ideal switching times of the power switches and by the non-linearity of the PCM-PWM conversion. To overcome these problems, usually a pre-distortion compensator along with over-sampling and high-order sigma-delta modulator with two-level PWM output is often proposed. However, high-order sigma-delta modulators present stability problems and narrow pulses are not completely eliminated. This work proposes the use of MASH structures with power multi-level inverters to solve the problem of stability and narrow pulse elimination. The proposed technique points a solution to overcome those stability problems without compromising the achieved reduction in the harmonic distortion. The effectiveness of the proposed system is established by simulation results.
Altered transcriptional regulation of human interstitial collagenase in cultured skin fibroblasts from older donors (1994)

Primary human dermal fibroblasts isolated from the medial aspect of the proximal forearm of young and old donors were compared for the expression of interstitial collagenase, 72 kDa type IV collagenase, the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase type 1, and pro-alpha 2 (I) collagen mRNA at basal levels and after stimulation with the tumor promotor 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate. Higher basal and induced steady-state mRNA levels of interstitial collagenase were found in the cells from older donors. Ratios of basal and induced steady-state mRNA levels of interstitial collagenase to pro-alpha 2 (I) collagen, and interstitial collagenase to the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases type 1 were also higher in the cells from older donors. Seventy-two kiloDalton type IV collagenase and pro-alpha 2 (I) collagen mRNA showed similar levels of expression in the cells from young and old donors and were not altered by treatment with 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate. Transient transfection assays with the interstitial collagenase promoter linked to a reporter gene showed increased activity of the reporter in cell strains with high interstitial collagenase mRNA levels. Mobility shift assays demonstrated increased binding activity to the specific 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate response element in nuclear extracts from the cell strains with higher induced collagenase mRNA levels and higher reporter gene activity. These findings are consistent with the observed phenotype of interstitial collagenase and its specific tissue inhibitor in the senescent fibroblast aging model.