gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Effects of Intensive Exercise Training on Immunity in Athletes (1998)

A large number of studies have failed to show whether exercise-induced perturbations in immune function are associated with the incidence of infection. "Sports immunology", examining the interaction of physical, psychological and environmental stress on immunity, is emerging as a sub-discipline of sports medicine. A series of studies by our research team has profiled the immune responses of elite swimmers during training. Serum immunoglobulin and IgG subclass levels were lower in swimmers than controls. Suppression of mucosal immune parameters has been associated with the risk of upper respiratory tract infection. Swimmers with a lower pre-season salivary IgA and/or lower pre-exercise salivary IgA level were more likely to contract an URTI during a 7-month training period. In a shorter 12-week study, infected swimmers had a mean salivary IgM concentration that dropped more sharply after a single training session. Significant declines in natural killer cell count and neutrophil oxidative activity were not associated with URTI. Despite systemic and mucosal immunosuppression a cohort of swimmers were also able to mount an antibody response to pneumococcal vaccine equivalent to that of sedentary individuals. Observations of chronic suppression of aspects of host defence and the significant relationship between changes in mucosal immune parameters and URTI, provide a framework for assessment of the immune status of athletes. The underlying causes of upper respiratory tract distress symptoms may be infective, inflammatory or allergic in origin: a differential diagnosis has implications for treatment and management.
Bound exciton and donor–acceptor pair recombinations in ZnO (2004)

Abstract The optical properties of excitonic recombinations in bulk, n‐type ZnO are investigated by photoluminescence (PL) and spatially resolved cathodoluminescence (CL) measurements. At liquid helium temperature in undoped crystals the neutral donor bound excitons dominate in the PL spectrum. Two electron satellite transitions (TES) of the donor bound excitons allow to determine the donor binding energies ranging from 46 to 73 meV. These results are in line with the temperature dependent Hall effect measurements. In the as‐grown crystals a shallow donor with an activation energy of 30 meV controls the conductivity. Annealing annihilates this shallow donor which has a bound exciton recombination at 3.3628 eV. Correlated by magnetic resonance experiments we attribute this particular donor to hydrogen. The Al, Ga and In donor bound exciton recombinations are identified based on doping and diffusion experiments and using secondary ion mass spectroscopy. We give a special focus on the recombination around 3.333 eV, i.e. about 50 meV below the free exciton transition. From temperature dependent measurements one obtains a small thermal activation energy for the quenching of the luminescence of 10 ± 2 meV despite the large localization energy of 50 meV. Spatially resolved CL measurements show that the 3.333 eV lines are particularly strong at crystal irregularities and occur only at certain spots hence are not homogeneously distributed within the crystal contrary to the bound exciton recombinations. We attribute them to excitons bound to structural defects (Y‐line defect) very common in II–VI semiconductors. For the bound exciton lines which seem to be correlated with Li and Na doping we offer a different interpretation. Li and Na do not introduce any shallow acceptor level in ZnO which otherwise should show up in donor–acceptor pair recombinations. Nitrogen creates a shallow acceptor level in ZnO. Donor–acceptor pair recombination with the 165 meV deep N‐acceptor is found in nitrogen doped and implanted ZnO samples, respectively. In the best undoped samples excited rotational states of the donor bound excitons can be seen in low temperature PL measurements. At higher temperatures we also see the appearance of the excitons bound to the B‐valence band, which are approximately 4.7 meV higher in energy. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
p53 Degradation Activity, Expression, and Subcellular Localization of E6 Proteins from 29 Human Papillomavirus Genotypes (2011)

Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are the etiological agents of cervical cancer and other human malignancies. HPVs are classified into high- and low-risk genotypes according to their association with cancer. Host cell transformation by high-risk HPVs relies in part on the ability of the viral E6 protein to induce the degradation of p53. We report the development of a cellular assay that accurately quantifies the p53 degradation activity of E6 in vivo, based on the fusion of p53 to Renilla luciferase (RLuc-p53). This assay was used to measure the p53 degradation activities of E6 proteins from 29 prevalent HPV types and variants of HPV type 16 (HPV16) and HPV33 by determining the amount of E6 expression vector required to reduce by half the levels of RLuc-p53 (50% effective concentration [EC₅₀]). These studies revealed an unexpected variability in the p53 degradation activities of different E6 proteins, even among active types whose EC₅₀s span more than 2 log units. Differences in activity were greater between types than between variants and did not correlate with differences in the intracellular localization of E6, with most being predominantly nuclear. Protein and mRNA expression of the 29 E6 proteins was also examined. For 16 high-risk types, spliced transcripts that encode shorter E6*I proteins of variable sizes and abundances were detected. Mutation of the splice donor site in five different E6 proteins increased their p53 degradation activity, suggesting that mRNA splicing can limit the activity of some high-risk E6 types. The quantification of p53 degradation in vivo represents a novel tool to systematically compare the oncogenic potentials of E6 proteins from different HPV types and variants.
Axial Seamount Basalts in P3 Segment of Phoenix Ridge, Drake Passage, Antarctica: K-Ar Age Determination and Geochemistry (2003)

The axial seamount basalts in the P3 segment of the Phoenix Ridge were obtained from dredging and the K-Ar age determination and whole-rock geochemical analyses have been done for understanding their origin. The K-Ar ages for PRS basalts sampled from 1,000m below sea level are 2.6-2.2 Ma and those for PR3 basalts from 800m are 1.6-1.5 Ma. The younger ages towards the crest of the seamount indicate that this submarine volcano has been grown by central eruptions. The youngest age of about 1.5 Ma for PR3 basalts corresponds to the final eruption period of this volcano. The seamount basalts contain small amounts of normative quartz and olivine. They have transitional geochemical nature between alkaline- and subalkaline-series basalts. Trace and rare earth elements compositions of the seamount basalts are very similar to those of ocean island basalts (OIB), and indicate that this seamount has been formed by a hotspot activity, not in association with a seafloor spreading. The melting degree from the source has decreased with time, and finally the volcanic activity has stopped when the basaltic magma reached mild alkaline composition.
Serum Retinol and Prostate Cancer Risk: a Nested Case-Control Study in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial (2009)

Vitamin A (retinol) plays a key role in the regulation of cell growth and differentiation, and has been studied as a potential chemopreventive agent for prostate cancer. However, findings from epidemiologic studies on the association between circulating retinol concentrations and the risk of prostate cancer are inconsistent. We examined whether serum concentrations of retinol were associated with the risk of prostate cancer in a nested case-control study using 692 prostate cancer cases and 844 matched controls from the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial. We estimated the risk of prostate cancer using multivariate, conditional logistic regression to calculate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for overall prostate cancer and aggressive disease (stage III or IV or Gleason >7; n = 269). Serum retinol concentrations were not associated with overall prostate cancer risk; however, the highest versus lowest concentrations of serum retinol were associated with a 42% reduction in aggressive prostate cancer risk (P(trend) = 0.02), with the strongest inverse association for high-grade disease (Gleason sum >7; odds ratio, 0.52; 95% confidence interval, 0.32-0.84; P(trend) = 0.01). Our results suggest that higher circulating concentrations of retinol are associated with a decreased risk of aggressive prostate cancer. Further research is needed to better understand the significance of elevations in serum retinol concentrations and the possible biological mechanisms through which retinol affects prostate cancer.
High performance ion-exchanged integrated waveguides in thin glass for board-level multimode optical interconnects (2015)

We fabricated ion-exchanged graded-index optical waveguides in alkali-aluminosilicate glass showing excellent potential for optical backplane and electrical-optical circuit board applications. Motivation and process details are given and experimental results are discussed.
Vapor Pressures and Vaporization Enthalpies of the <i>n</i>-Alkanes from C<sub>21</sub> to C<sub>30</sub> at <i>T</i> = 298.15 K by Correlation Gas Chromatography (2003)

The temperature dependence of gas chromatographic retention times for n-heptadecane to n-triacontane is reported. These data are used to evaluate the vaporization enthalpies of these compounds at T = 298.15 K, and a protocol is described that provides vapor pressures of these n-alkanes from T = 298.15 to 575 K. The vapor pressure and vaporization enthalpy results obtained are compared with existing literature data where possible and found to be internally consistent. Sublimation enthalpies for n-C17 to n-C30 are calculated by combining vaporization enthalpies with fusion enthalpies and are compared when possible to direct measurements.
Screening of DUB activity and specificity by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry (2014)

Deubiquitylases (DUBs) are key regulators of the ubiquitin system which cleave ubiquitin moieties from proteins and polyubiquitin chains. Several DUBs have been implicated in various diseases and are attractive drug targets. We have developed a sensitive and fast assay to quantify in vitro DUB enzyme activity using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry. Unlike other current assays, this method uses unmodified substrates, such as diubiquitin topoisomers. By analysing 42 human DUBs against all diubiquitin topoisomers we provide an extensive characterization of DUB activity and specificity. Our results confirm the high specificity of many members of the OTU and JAB/MPN/Mov34 metalloenzyme DUB families and highlight that all USPs tested display low linkage selectivity. We also demonstrate that this assay can be deployed to assess the potency and specificity of DUB inhibitors by profiling 11 compounds against a panel of 32 DUBs.
Tica: an environment for exploring tangible vs. screen-based programming (2017)

This paper describes Tica, an environment designed to explore the differences between tangible and screen based interfaces when teaching programming to children aged 5–7 years. Tica comprises several components: a tangible programming language and a screen based equivalent, an Android app to interpret the programming languages and record data, and a physical robot that can be programmed using either the tangible or screen-based language. Tica was designed using a learner-centred approach, with a specific focus on the needs and abilities of the target user group. Once implemented, an initial pilot study was carried out with 14 adults. Although participants using the screen-based interface completed problems more quickly than those using the tangible interface, participants using the tangible interface reported a higher level of enjoyment. Next steps include a more extensive study with the target population as well as some refinements to the Tica environment.
Comparison of control methods in a frequency stabilized laser (1980)

The purpose of this research is to compare two types of control methods that can be used to frequency stabilize a laser. The first method uses a single piezoelectric transducer (PZT) to control the cavity length of a helium-neon laser. The second method employs dual PZT controllers of different lengths so that a fast response time can be achieved with the benefit of a large dynamic range. Two variations of the first method are compared to the second method. The first variation uses an integrator with gain as a compensator in electronic feedback control loop and is designed using steady state analysis. The second variation uses a more sophisticated compensator that is designed using frequency analysis. Frequency analysis is also used in the compensator design for the second method. Each compensator is tested in a laser control loop and the results of each method are compared. (Author)
SSIM-inspired image denoising using sparse representations (2011)

Perceptual image quality assessment (IQA) and sparse signal representation have recently emerged as high-impact research topics in the field of image processing. Here we make one of the first attempts to incorporate the structural similarity (SSIM) index, a promising IQA measure, into the framework of optimal sparse signal representation and approximation. In particular, we introduce a novel image denoising scheme where a modified orthogonal matching pursuit algorithm is proposed for finding the best sparse coefficient vector in maximum-SSIM sense for a given set of linearly independent atoms. Furthermore, a gradient descent algorithm is developed to achieve SSIM-optimal compromise in combining the input and sparse dictionary reconstructed images. Our experimental results show that the proposed method achieves better SSIM performance and provide better visual quality than least square optimal denoising methods.
Electronic Data Interchange (EDI): Using Electronic Commerce to Enhance Defense Logistics (1991)

Abstract : Electronic data interchange (EDI) has been advocated as one of the most important applications of computer technology, and one that holds the greatest potential for improving the nation's productivity--for with EDI will come 'electronic commerce,' a technology that will allow both private and public sector business to move from a paper-based world to one based solely on electronic transactions. Each EDI transaction is formatted in such a way that it can be recognized and processed by a firm's computer without human intervention- -that is to say, without the need for a person to interpret the transaction for the computer. Even more important, EDI enables businesses as well as DoD to use many new techniques in pursuit of more effective resource management.
New model for shrinkage compensation in selective laser sintering (2009)

This paper presents a new model for shrinkage and a new approach for shrinkage compensation to enhance the accuracy of parts produced by selective laser sintering (SLS)–a solid freeform fabrication process. The present prevailing approach as proposed by machine manufacturers is simple but not accurate. A new shrinkage model which accounts for part geometry as well as beam offset is proposed in this work. A new compensation scheme which accounts for nonlinear shrinkage is proposed, implemented and validated. The proposed compensation scheme compensates for shrinkage at every layer and at every hatch length, unlike a uniform compensation scheme applied to entire part. A new algorithm which accounts for this is developed and implemented. Experiments carried out with the new shrinkage model as well as with the new compensation scheme have shown significant improvement in the accuracy of the parts produced which establishes the effectiveness of the proposed methodology.
Practical parallel imaging compressed sensing MRI: Summary of two years of experience in accelerating body MRI of pediatric patients (2011)

For the last two years, we have been experimenting with applying compressed sensing parallel imaging for body imaging of pediatric patients. It is a joint-effort by teams from UC Berkeley, Stanford University and GE Healthcare. This paper aims to summarize our experience so far. We describe our acquisition approach: 3D spoiled-gradient-echo with poisson-disc random undersampling of the phase encodes. Our re-construction approach: ℓ<sub>1</sub>-SPIRiT, an iterative autocalibrating parallel imaging reconstruction that enforces both data consistency and joint-sparsity in the wavelet domain. Our implementation: an on-line parallelized implementation of ℓ<sub>1</sub>-SPIRiT on multi-core CPU and General Purpose Graphics Processors (GPGPU) that achieves sub-minute 3D reconstructions with 8-channels. Clinical results showing higher quality reconstruction and better diagnostic confidence than parallel imaging alone at accelerations on the order of number of coils.
Enabling Intelligence Analysis through Semantic Information Interoperability (2005)

In the current climate of increased necessity for information transparency, the Intelligence Community (IC) faces challenges in achieving data interoperability. In order to effectively facilitate analysis mechanisms like Link Discovery and Predictive Pattern Recognition, agencies must enable the discovery and consumption of disparate and co-located data sources within and across organizational boundaries. Agencies are beginning to leverage semantic descriptions of data to promote the advertising and sharing of data, providing dynamic discovery, fusion, and mediation of information. These techniques will enable the IC to gain greater situational awareness in their mission to preemptively identify and eradicate terrorist threats.
Whole-brain 3D mapping of oxygen metabolism using constrained quantitative BOLD (2022)

Quantitative BOLD (qBOLD) MRI permits noninvasive evaluation of hemodynamic and metabolic states of the brain by quantifying parametric maps of deoxygenated blood volume (DBV) and hemoglobin oxygen saturation level of venous blood (Y<sub>v</sub>), and along with a measurement of cerebral blood flow (CBF), the cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen (CMRO<sub>2</sub>). The method, thus should have potential to provide important information on many neurological disorders as well as normal cerebral physiology. One major challenge in qBOLD is to separate deoxyhemoglobin's contribution to R<sub>2</sub>' from other sources modulating the voxel signal, for instance, R<sub>2</sub>, R<sub>2</sub>' from non-heme iron (R'<sub>2,nh</sub>), and macroscopic magnetic field variations. Further, even with successful separation of the several confounders, it is still challenging to extract DBV and Y<sub>v</sub> from the heme-originated R<sub>2</sub>' because of limited sensitivity of the qBOLD model. These issues, which have not been fully addressed in currently practiced qBOLD methods, have so far precluded 3D whole-brain implementation of qBOLD. Thus, the purpose of this work was to develop a new 3D MRI oximetry technique that enables robust qBOLD parameter mapping across the entire brain. To achieve this goal, we employed a rapid, R<sub>2</sub>'-sensitive, steady-state 3D pulse sequence (termed 'AUSFIDE') for data acquisition, and implemented a prior-constrained qBOLD processing pipeline that exploits a plurality of preliminary parameters obtained via AUSFIDE, along with additionally measured cerebral venous blood volume. Numerical simulations and in vivo studies at 3 T were performed to evaluate the performance of the proposed, constrained qBOLD mapping in comparison to the parent qBOLD method. Measured parameters (Y<sub>v</sub>, DBV, R'<sub>2,nh</sub>, nonblood magnetic susceptibility) in ten healthy subjects demonstrate the expected contrast across brain territories, while yielding group-averages of 64.0 ± 2.3 % and 62.2 ± 3.1 % for Y<sub>v</sub> and 2.8 ± 0.5 % and 1.8 ± 0.4 % for DBV in cortical gray and white matter, respectively. Given the Y<sub>v</sub> measurements, additionally quantified CBF in seven of the ten study subjects enabled whole-brain 3D CMRO<sub>2</sub> mapping, yielding group averages of 134.2 ± 21.1 and 79.4 ± 12.6 μmol/100 g/min for cortical gray and white matter, in good agreement with literature values. The results suggest feasibility of the proposed method as a practical and reliable means for measuring neurometabolic parameters over an extended brain coverage.
Polarization-sensitive complex Fourier domain optical coherence tomography for Jones matrix imaging of biological samples (2004)

A polarization-sensitive Fourier domain optical coherence tomography (PS-FD-OCT) system is demonstrated. This OCT system is based on a spectral interferometer, does not require mechanical axial scanning, and enables phase information to be used in an OCT image. Owing to this phase information, the system requires only two measurements for determining the Jones matrix images and Müller images of biological samples. This system reveals the birefringence properties of the inner surface of a porcine esophagus.
Internal Pressure and Building Safety (1982)

The wind-induced pressure inside buildings has a profound effect on building safety. Yet, little attention has been given to it in the past. The effect is either ignored or improperly considered in contemporary building codes or standards. This paper seeks to clarify the matter and improve the way internal pressure is considered in the design of buildings. Both static and dynamic effects of internal pressure are considered herein. The dynamic effects include the overshooting of internal pressure following the breakage of a windward window during high wind, and the Helmholtz resonance created by any disturbance. Combined effects of internal and external pressure variations are also reviewed.
Comparison of burch and lyodura sling procedures for repair of unsuccessful incontinence surgery (1996)

Both procedures offer a high rate of success. We believe that the sling surgery should be used only in certain special cases because of its higher rate of complications, but that posterior vaginal repair should be considered after modified Burch colposuspension because of the possibility of rectocele and enterocele.
Gas permeability and stability of poly(1‐trimethylsilyl‐1‐propyne‐<i>co</i>‐1‐phenyl‐1‐propyne) membranes (1995)

Abstract A significant reduction in the gas permeability of the poly(1‐trimethylsilyl‐1‐propyne) (PMSP) membrane was investigated in terms of the membrane thickness and the storage environment. The effects of physical aging were observed with thinner membranes and under vacuum conditions compared with storage in air. The decrease in the permeability coefficient was dependent on the decrease in the hole saturation constant of Langmuir adsorption ( C ' H ), which is related to the volume of the microvoids. Physical aging in the PMSP membrane affected not only the glassy domain but also the rubbery one. To stabilize the permeability of the PMSP membrane, a poly(1‐trimethylsilyl‐1‐propyne‐ co ‐1‐phenyl‐1‐propyne) [poly(TMSP‐ co ‐PP)] membrane was prepared. Poly(TMSP‐ co ‐PP) has the same unit of poly(1‐phenyl‐1‐propyne), which membrane has stable permeability. The poly(TMSP‐ co ‐PP) with less than 20 mol % PP content was estimated to be a random copolymer based on theoretical gas permeation analysis. In the poly(TMSP‐ co ‐PP) membrane, the relation between the PP content and C ' H was similar to the relation between the PP content and the gas permeability. The stability of the permeability was dependent on the PP content. The poly(TMSP‐ co ‐PP) membrane containing 10 mol % PP had both high permeability and good stability under some of the aging conditions performed in this work. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.