gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Rectification of Camera-Captured Document Images with Mixed Contents and Varied Layouts (2019)

This paper focuses on the rectification of camera-captured document images with varied layouts of mixed contents. Document images acquired via cameras, including smartphones, are typically plagued by perspective, geometric, and/or rotational distortion that hinders document analysis processes. In this paper, we propose an approach to camera-captured image rectification of text and non-text regions that handles perspective, geometric and rotational distortions present in planar and curled documents, extending a state-of-the-art content-based rectification method. We define surface projections via a three-tiered local transformation model, in which primary curved surface projections are formed from individual text regions, and secondary and tertiary surface projections are formed from non-text regions, resulting in a 'patchwork' combination of surfaces spanning the document image. This transformation model allows us to process document images with varied layouts of mixed contents, including large images and graphics, that also contain some justified text. Experiments and comparisons with a state-of-the-art content-based rectification approach on the public IUPR dataset demonstrate the value of the proposed approach on two levels: 1) a significantly improved rectification performance using standard optical character recognition metrics, along with increased document readability, and 2) an improved range of applicability, i.e. ability to correct document images showing various layouts and content types.
Compensation of Multiple Access Interference Effects in CDMA-Based Acoustic Positioning Systems (2014)

Recently developed acoustic positioning systems operate in a code division multiple access (CDMA) configuration, in which the ranging signals between the nodes are digitally modulated orthogonal codes with the same carrier frequency and overlapping in time. CDMA permits higher position update rate than the alternative time division multiple access, but suffers from multiple access interference (MAI) effects, leading to outliers in the estimated ranges, and potentially large errors in position estimation. In this communication, we present and demonstrate experimentally a subtractive parallel interference cancelation (PIC) method, which achieves a high degree of resistance to MAI effects, and also permits us to compensate the intersymbol interference (ISI) caused by the limited frequency range of acoustic transducers. When evaluated empirically in an acoustic positioning system, the PIC algorithm obtains nearly total outlier cancelation for four operating beacons, and 2/3 reduction of outliers for a seven beacon setup with 32 bits long codes. Outliers are further reduced (down to 2%) by the modified PIC algorithm with ISI compensation. The method outperforms alternative outlier reduction techniques like doubling or quadrupling the signal length, or using power control to adjust the relative amplitudes of the beacon signals, and permits that the system is available for positioning over 95% of the time. © 2014 IEEE.
Phage Particles as Vaccine Delivery Vehicles: Concepts, Applications and Prospects (2016)

The development of new strategies for vaccine delivery for generating protective and long-lasting immune responses has become an expanding field of research. In the last years, it has been recognized that bacteriophages have several potential applications in the biotechnology and medical fields because of their intrinsic advantages, such as ease of manipulation and large-scale production. Over the past two decades, bacteriophages have gained special attention as vehicles for protein/peptide or DNA vaccine delivery. In fact, whole phage particles are used as vaccine delivery vehicles to achieve the aim of enhanced immunization. In this strategy, the carried vaccine is protected from environmental damage by phage particles. In this review, phage-based vaccine categories and their development are presented in detail, with discussion of the potential of phage-based vaccines for protection against microbial diseases and cancer treatment. Also reviewed are some recent advances in the field of phage- based vaccines.
Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Inhibit Neutrophil Apoptosis: A Model for Neutrophil Preservation in the Bone Marrow Niche (2007)

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) establish close interactions with bone marrow sinusoids in a putative perivascular niche. These vessels contain a large storage pool of mature nonproliferating neutrophils. Here, we have investigated the effects of human bone marrow MSC on neutrophil survival and effector functions. MSC from healthy donors, at very low MSC:neutrophil ratios (up to 1:500), significantly inhibited apoptosis of resting and interleukin (IL)-8-activated neutrophils and dampened N-formyl-l-methionin-l-leucyl-l-phenylalanine (f-MLP)-induced respiratory burst. The antiapoptotic activity of MSC did not require cell-to-cell contact, as shown by transwell experiments. Antibody neutralization experiments demonstrated that the key MSC-derived soluble factor responsible for neutrophil protection from apoptosis was IL-6, which signaled by activating STAT-3 transcription factor. Furthermore, IL-6 expression was detected in MSC by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Finally, recombinant IL-6 was found to protect neutrophils from apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. MSC had no effect on neutrophil phagocytosis, expression of adhesion molecules, and chemotaxis in response to IL-8, f-MLP, or C5a. These results support the following conclusions: (a) in the bone marrow niche, MSC likely protect neutrophils of the storage pool from apoptosis, preserving their effector functions and preventing the excessive or inappropriate activation of the oxidative metabolism, and (b) a novel mechanism whereby the inflammatory potential of activated neutrophils is harnessed by inhibition of apoptosis and reactive oxygen species production without impairing phagocytosis and chemotaxis has been identified.
Gene Therapists Celebrate a Decade of Progress (2011)

Researchers reported at a meeting last week that they may have reached a prized goal in gene therapy: lowering the risk of uncontrolled bleeding in patients with hemophilia.
Diversion Conditions for Viscoelastic-Surfactant-Based Self-Diversion Acid in Carbonate Acidizing (2015)

Summary The success of matrix acidizing in carbonates is often dependent on the efficiency of diversion agents, especially for treatments on wells with thick formations or multiple zones, or horizontal wells with long and heterogeneous intervals. Viscoelastic-surfactant (VES) -based self-diversion acid has been used successfully in fields because of its negligible damage to the formation and good diversion ability. Although the diversion ability of VES acid was studied experimentally with small core plugs, the diversion conditions of VES acid under in-situ radial conditions need to be studied. In this paper, we develop a VES radial-acidizing model that simulates VES acid flow, acid/rock reaction, porosity variation, viscosifying, wormholing, and acid diversion in multiple zones. On the basis of the model, extensive numerical simulations are conducted to investigate wormholing behavior of the VES acid, the factors that affect the diversion ability of VES acid, and the diversion conditions of VES acid. The study shows that the VES acid-dissolution patterns depend on the injection rate, and there is an optimum injection rate under which the dominant wormholes are formed. Compared with regular acid, the VES acid provides better acid placement for heterogeneous intervals. The intervals with separation shorter than approximately 150 m can be acidized together with VES acid if the two intervals have a close permeability with no perforation between them. The permeability ratio of the two intervals has remarkable influence on the diversion performance of VES acid. Even though the viscosified fluid acts as a temporary barrier to prevent the fluid from flowing into the higher-permeability formation, the VES acid reduces diversion effectiveness for large permeability contrast. We also investigated the combined effect of permeability contrast and separation of the two intervals on diversion performance. This study provides a basis to select diversion technology and a method to evaluate diversion performance of VES acid for field-acidizing treatments.
A low-power fat tree-based optical network-on-chip for multiprocessor system-on-chip (2009)

Multiprocessor system-on-chip (MPSoC) is an attractive platform for high-performance applications. Networks-on-Chip (NoCs) can improve the on-chip communication bandwidth of MPSoCs. However, traditional metallic interconnects consume significant amount of power to deliver even higher communication bandwidth required in the near future. Optical NoCs are based on CMOS-compatible optical waveguides and microresonators, and promise significant bandwidth and power advantages. This paper proposes a fat tree-based optical NoC (FONoC) including its topology, floorplan, protocols, and a low-power and low-cost optical router, optical turnaround router (OTAR). Different from other optical NoCs, FONoC does not require building a separate electronic NoC for network control. It carries both payload data and network control data on the same optical network, while using circuit switching for the former and packet switching for the latter. The FONoC protocols are designed to minimize network control data and the related power consumption. An optimized turnaround routing algorithm is designed to utilize the low-power feature of OTAR, which can passively route packets without powering on any microresonator in 40% of all cases. Comparing with other optical routers, OTAR has the lowest optical power loss and uses the lowest number of microresonators. An analytical model is developed to characterize the power consumption of FONoC. We compare the power consumption of FONoC with a matched electronic NoC in 45 nm, and show that FONoC can save 87% power comparing with the electronic NoC on a 64-core MPSoC. We simulate the FONoC for the 64-core MPSoC and show the end-to-end delay and network throughput under different offered loads and packet sizes.
Effects of erythromycin on human colonic circular muscle in idiopathic chronic constipation (2000)

Erythromycin causes mainly an indirect contractile effect in circular muscle strips from ICC patients. This effect may be related to the activation of inhibitory neuronal motilin receptors. This activation might potentiate NANC relaxation, proportionally increasing the circumferential reflex contraction that follows the EFS-induced relaxation.
Sandwich films with graphene oxide nanocores: gas barrier properties (2012)

Single polymer composite films with PMMA facings and PMMA or PMMA-Graphene Oxide (GO) electrospun nano-fibre mat core were manufactured with an intention of application in various facets of engineering. Design of experiments based on mixture analysis was used to identify the solution concentration for obtaining uniform fibre diameters and their distribution throughout the electrospun core. The oxygen gas transmission rate (O2GTR) and the permeance of the film (PO2) were tested in OX-TRAN® Model 2/10, per standard ASTM F 2622 and modelled using series and parallel configuration. The sandwich films were manufactured using vacuum assisted compression moulding by laying the electrospun core between two thin layers of PMMA films. The analysis shows that 23% PMMA and 2% GO concentrations in the solution give approximately uniform fibre diameters and dispersion throughout the mat. The experimental results from the oxygen barrier tests revealed oxygen permeability values in the negative range for the sandwich films compared to 2.59 cc-mm/m2 day for the neat PMMA films. The theoretically calculated values of permeation through the sandwich films were found to be in range of 0- 0.0224 cc-mm/m2 day The presence of GO, as low as 1%, in the nanofibre mat enhanced the oxygen barrier of the sandwich films by more than 100%.
Nanoscale microwave imaging with a single electron spin in diamond (2015)

We report on imaging of microwave (MW) magnetic fields using a magnetometer based on the electron spin of a nitrogen vacancy (NV) center in diamond. We quantitatively image the magnetic field generated by high frequency (GHz) MW current with nanoscale resolution using a scanning probe technique. Together with a shot noise limited MW magnetic field sensitivity of 680 nT Hz−1/2 our room temperature experiments establish the NV center as a versatile and high performance tool for MW imaging, which furthermore offers polarization selectivity and broadband capabilities. As a first application of this scanning MW detector, we image the MW stray field around a stripline structure and thereby locally determine the MW current density with a MW current sensitivity of a few nA Hz−1/2.
Effects of additives and processing parameters on the initial burst release of protein from poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) microspheres. (2006)

The aim of this study is to investigate both the effects of hydrophilic additives and combined processing parameters on the in vitro release of a model protein, bovine serum albumin (BSA), from poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microspheres. Additives including beta-cyclodextrin, HP-beta-cyclodextrin, poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) 6000, and sorbitol, and processing parameters such as the poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) concentration, emulsification temperature, aqueous/oil phase, evaporation method, and dehydration method were evaluated. PLGA microspheres were all prepared by the double-emulsion solvent extraction/evaporation method, and the results showed that no statistically significant differences of particle sizes and entrapment efficiencies appeared. Interestingly, the initial burst releases were markedly changed by both additives and processing parameters. Initial burst releases were accelerated by hydrophilic additives except for PEG 6000 and were retarded by the formulation composed of higher PVA concentration, tween-20 as an emulsifier in the internal aqueous phase, glycerol in the oil phase, and inorganic salt in the external aqueous phase, and operated at low temperature. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the more porous and dimpled the structure on the surface of the PLGA microspheres, the larger the initial burst release. The microspheres that displayed a relatively smooth and compact surface showed the least burst release.
Non‐invasive MRS in new anticancer drug development (1992)

In the rational development of anticancer drugs it is important to employ all the available pharmacological information. Early clinical trials provide an opportunity for hypothesis testing. MRS techniques have the potential to provide valuable data on the preclinical and clinical pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of drugs non-invasively. Here we illustrate advantages and pitfalls of MRS using studies of two fluorine-containing cancer drugs: a beta,beta-difluoro analogue of the alkylating agent chlorambucil and a fluorinated derivative of the nitroimidazole misonidazole, Ro 07-0741. Limitations include signal quenching via protein binding and inadequate sensitivity for more potent drugs like beta,beta-difluorochlorambucil; but fluoromisonidazole was shown to accumulate in tumours and shows promise as a chemical probe for tumour hypoxia, detectable by 19F MRS.
Genomic sequencing of deer tick virus and phylogeny of powassan-related viruses of North America. (2001)

Powassan (POW) virus is responsible for central nervous system infection in humans in North America and the eastern parts of Russia. Recently, a new flavivirus, deer tick (DT) virus, related to POW virus was isolated in the United States, but neither its pathogenic potential in human nor the taxonomic relationship with POW virus has been elucidated. In this study, we obtained the near-full-length genomic sequence of the DT virus and complete sequences of 3 genomic regions of 15 strains of POW-related virus strains. The phylogeny revealed 2 lineages, one of which had the prototype POW virus and the other DT virus. Both lineages can cause central nervous system infection in humans. By use of the combination of molecular definition of virus species within the genus Flavivirus and serological distinction in a 2-way cross-neutralization test, the lineage of DT virus is classified as a distinct genotype of POW virus.
A Top Surface Imaging Method Using Area Selective ALD on Chemically Amplified Polymer Photoresist Films (2006)

A method for performing top surface imaging TSI on a single polymeric photoresist film using area selective atomic layer deposition ALD is presented. In this method, exposure of the polymer thin film creates reactive hydroxyl sites on the film surface in the exposed areas that subsequently act as nucleation and growth sites for deposition of metal oxide features using a chemically selective atomic layer deposition process. Specifically, it is shown that titanium isopropoxide and water can be used as ALD precursors in conjunction with a chemically amplified photoresist film, formulated using a protected polymer polytert-butyl methacrylate and a photoacid generator triphenylsulfonium trisperfluoromethanesulfonylmethide, to successfully perform such an area selective ALD TSI process. Using this material set and methodology, micrometer-scale photoresist features are defined, metal oxide patterns are produced, and these patterns have been transferred through the polymer film via plasma etching. One unique feature of this TSI process is that it has been achieved without requiring a descum etch, which is commonly needed with other TSI methods, due to the highly selective nature of the ALD process.
Role of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Cystic Fibrosis–Related Airway Inflammatory Responses (2010)

Chronic airway infection and inflammation are hallmarks of cystic fibrosis (CF) pulmonary disease. The altered airway environment resulting from infection and inflammation can affect the innate defense of the airway epithelia. Luminal bacterial and inflammatory stimuli trigger an adaptation in human airway epithelia, characterized by a hyperinflammatory response to inflammatory mediators, which is mediated by an expansion of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and its Ca(2+) stores. Recent studies demonstrated that a form of ER stress, the unfolded protein response (UPR), is activated in airway epithelia by bacterial infection-induced airway inflammation. UPR-dependent signaling is responsible for the ER Ca(2+) store expansion-mediated amplification of airway inflammatory responses. These studies highlight the functional importance of the UPR in airway inflammation and suggest that targeting the UPR may be a therapeutic strategy for airway diseases typified by chronic inflammation. This article reviews the contribution of airway epithelia to airway inflammatory responses, discusses how expansion of the ER Ca(2+) stores in inflamed airway epithelia contributes to airway inflammation, describes the functional role of the UPR in these processes, and discusses how UPR activation might be relevant for CF airways inflammatory disease.
Nitric Oxide–Dependent Activation of P53 Suppresses Bleomycin-Induced Apoptosis in the Lung (2000)

Chronic inflammation leading to pulmonary fibrosis develops in response to environmental pollutants, radiotherapy, or certain cancer chemotherapeutic agents. We speculated that lung injury might be mediated by p53, a proapoptotic transcription factor widely implicated in the response of cells to DNA damage. Intratracheal administration of bleomycin led to caspase-mediated DNA fragmentation characteristic of apoptosis. The effects of bleomycin were associated with translocation of p53 from the cytosol to the nucleus only in alveolar macrophages that had been exposed to the drug in vivo, suggesting that the lung microenvironment regulated p53 activation. Experiments with a thiol antioxidant (N-acetylcysteine) in vivo and nitric oxide (NO) donors in vitro confirmed that reactive oxygen species were required for p53 activation. A specific role for NO was demonstrated in experiments with inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)(-/)- macrophages, which failed to demonstrate nuclear p53 localization after in vivo bleomycin exposure. Strikingly, rates of bleomycin-induced apoptosis were at least twofold higher in p53(-/)- C57BL/6 mice compared with heterozygous or wild-type littermates. Similarly, levels of apoptosis were also twofold higher in the lungs of iNOS(-/)- mice than were observed in wild-type controls. Consistent with a role for apoptosis in chronic lung injury, levels of bleomycin-induced inflammation were substantially higher in iNOS(-/)- and p53(-/)- mice compared with wild-type controls. Together, our results demonstrate that iNOS and p53 mediate a novel apoptosis-suppressing pathway in the lung.
Environmental soil physics (1999)

Basic Relationships: General Physical Characteristics of Soils. Properties of Water in Relation to Porous Media. The Solid Phase: Particle Sizes and Specific Surface. Nature and Behavior of Clay. Soil Structure and Aggregation. The Liquid Phase: Content and Potential of Soil Water. Flow of Water in Saturated Soil. Flow of Water in Unsaturated Soil. Movement of Solutes and Soil Salinity. The Gaseous Phase: Content and Composition of Soil Air. Movement and Exchange of Gases in the Soil Composite Phenomena: Soil Temperature and Heat Flow. Soil Dynamics: Stress, Strain, and Strength. The Field Water Cycle: Entry of Water into Soil. Surface Runoff and Water Erosion. Redistribution of Water in Soil. Groundwater Drainage and Pollution. Evaporation From Bare Soil and Wind Erosion. Soil-Plant-Water Relations: Uptake of Soil Moisture by Plants. Water Balance and Energy Balance in The Field. Irrigation and Water-Use Efficiency. Appendices: Spatial Variability. Applications of Soil Physics to Remediation of Hazardous Waste Sites. Representing the Land Surface in Global Climate Models. Bibliography. Index.
Effects of fiber gripping methods on single fiber tensile test using Kolsky bar (2011)

Preliminary data for testing fibers at high strain rates using the Kolsky bar test by Ming Cheng et al. [1] indicate minimal effect of strain rate on the tensile stress-strain behavior of poly (p-phenylene terephathalamide) fibers. However, technical issues associated with specimen preparation appear to limit the number of samples that can be tested in a reasonable time. In addition, under the Kolsky bar testing condition fiber fracture may occur at the interface between the fiber and adhesive rather than in the gage section. In this study, the authors investigate the effects of different gripping methods in order to establish a reliable, reproducible, and accurate Kolsky bar test methodology for single fiber tensile testing. As many single fiber tests have been carried out associated with ballistic research, we compare the Kolsky bar test results with the quasi-static test results to determine the tensile behavior over a wide range of strain rates.
Image Recognition by Sound Pattern Generated by the Image (2010)

In this paper we are proposing algorithm for image recognition by sound patterns generated by the image. There are five senses in human sight, smell, taste, touch, and hearing. Sight is probably the most developed sense in humans, followed closely by hearing. Blindness is the condition of lacking visual perception due to physiological or neurological factors. For blind persons their ears work as their eyes. This paper presents a novel idea of generating an audio signature from an image which can be used to visualize the image. After some training sessions the user (may be blind person) will be able to recognize the image. This paper is divided in seven parts the first part of paper give the introductory second part deals with related work the important part of the paper is methodology and propose algorithm the last part is conclusion.