gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Room‐Temperature Liquid Na–K Anode Membranes (2018)

The Na-K alloy is a liquid at 25 °C over a large compositional range. The liquid alloy is also immiscible in the organic-liquid electrolytes of an alkali-ion rechargeable battery, providing dendrite-free liquid alkali-metal batteries with a liquid-liquid anode-electrolyte interface at room temperature. The two liquids are each immobilized in a porous matrix. In previous work, the porous matrix used to immobilize the alloy was a carbon paper that is wet by the alloy at 420 °C; the alloy remains in the paper at room temperature. Here we report a room-temperature vacuum infiltration of the alloy into a porous Cu or Al membrane and a reversible stripping/plating of the liquid alloy with the immobilized organic-liquid electrolyte; no self-diacharge is observed since the liquid Na-K does not dissolve into the liquid carbonate electrolytes. The preparation and stripping/plating of the liquid alkali-metal anode can both now be done safely at room temperature.
Redox Active Colloids as Discrete Energy Storage Carriers (2016)

Versatile and readily available battery materials compatible with a range of electrode configurations and cell designs are desirable for renewable energy storage. Here we report a promising class of materials based on redox active colloids (RACs) that are inherently modular in their design and overcome challenges faced by small-molecule organic materials for battery applications, such as crossover and chemical/morphological stability. RACs are cross-linked polymer spheres, synthesized with uniform diameters between 80 and 800 nm, and exhibit reversible redox activity as single particles, as monolayer films, and in the form of flowable dispersions. Viologen-based RACs display reversible cycling, accessing up to 99% of their capacity and 99 ± 1% Coulombic efficiency over 50 cycles by bulk electrolysis owing to efficient, long-distance intraparticle charge transfer. Ferrocene-based RACs paired with viologen-based RACs cycled efficiently in a nonaqueous redox flow battery employing a simple size-selective separator, thus demonstrating a possible application that benefits from their colloidal dimensions. The unprecedented versatility in RAC synthetic and electrochemical design opens new avenues for energy storage.
Sulfonamide-Based pH- and Temperature-Sensitive Biodegradable Block Copolymer Hydrogels (2006)

Novel pH- and temperature-sensitive biodegradable poly(epsilon-caprolactone-co-lactide)-poly(ethylene glycol) (PCLA-PEG) block copolymers were synthesized with oligomeric sulfamethazine (OSM) end groups (OSM-PCLA-PEG-PCLA-OSM). Aqueous solutions of these block copolymers have shown sol-gel transition behavior upon both temperature and pH changes under physiological conditions (37 degrees C, pH 7.4). The sol-gel transition of these block copolymer solutions was fine-tuned by controlling the PEG length, the hydrophobic to hydrophilic block ratio (PCLA/PEG), and the molecular weight of the sulfamethazine oligomer. Since changes in temperature do not induce gel formation in this pH- and temperature-sensitive block copolymer solution, this hydrogel can be employed as an injectable carrier using a long guide catheter into the body. In addition, the pH of the block copolymer solution showed no change following PCLA degradation over 1 month, and no indication of gel collapse was observed on addition of buffer solution. As such, these properties make the OSM-PCLA-PEG-PCLA-OSM hydrogel an ideal candidate for use as an injectable carrier for certain protein-based drugs known to denature in low-pH environments.
Standardized and Highly Efficient Expansion of Epstein-Barr Virus-Specific CD4 <sup>+</sup> T Cells by Using Virus-Like Particles (2008)

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-specific T-cell lines generated by repeated stimulation with EBV-immortalized lymphoblastoid B-cell lines (LCL) have been successfully used to treat EBV-associated posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients. However, PTLD in solid-organ transplant recipients and other EBV-associated malignancies respond less efficiently to this adoptive T-cell therapy. LCL-stimulated T-cell preparations are polyclonal and contain CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells, but the composition varies greatly between lines. Because T-cell lines with higher CD4(+) T-cell proportions show improved clinical efficacy, we assessed which factors might compromise the expansion of this T-cell population. Here we show that spontaneous virus production by LCL and, hence, the presentation of viral antigens varies intra- and interindividually and is further impaired by acyclovir treatment of LCL. Moreover, the stimulation of T cells with LCL grown in medium supplemented with fetal calf serum (FCS) caused the expansion of FCS-reactive CD4(+) T cells, whereas human serum from EBV-seropositive donors diminished viral antigen presentation. To overcome these limitations, we used peripheral blood mononuclear cells pulsed with nontransforming virus-like particles as antigen-presenting cells. This strategy facilitated the specific and rapid expansion of EBV-specific CD4(+) T cells and, thus, might contribute to the development of standardized protocols for the generation of T-cell lines with improved clinical efficacy.
Glycosaminoglycan Chondroitin Sulphate Prevents Loss of Ultrafiltration during Peritoneal Dialysis in Rats (1994)

We evaluated the effect of 6 days of intraperitoneal saline infusion on peritoneal peroxidation and permeability in rats. Peroxidation of the peritoneum as measured by malondialdehyde concentration in the omentum was increased and there was a concomitant augmented membrane permeability to glucose and resulted in a loss of ultrafiltration. In vitro experiments with mesothelial cells showed that glycosaminoglycan chondroitin sulphate appears to act as a scavenger of free radicals and so protects the mesothelial cells against injury. Thus, in rats, supplementation of the infused saline with chondroitin sulphate reduces peroxidation of the peritoneum and prevents loss of ultrafiltration during peritoneal dialysis. These results suggest that chondroitin sulphate may be effective in preventing the deterioration of peritoneal permeability during chronic peritoneal dialysis. This beneficial effect probably derives from the scavenging of free radicals by chondroitin sulphate.
Segmentation-free statistical image reconstruction for polyenergetic X-ray computed tomography (2003)

This paper describes a statistical iterative reconstruction method for X-ray CT based on a physical model that accounts for the polyenergetic X-ray source spectrum and the measurement nonlinearities caused by energy-dependent attenuation. The algorithm accommodates mixtures of tissues with known mass attenuation coefficients but unknown densities. We formulate a penalized-likelihood approach for this polyenergetic model based on Poisson statistics.
Microwave-Accelerated Homogeneous Catalysis in Organic Chemistry (2002)

The efficiency of microwave flash heating in accelerating organic transformations (reaction times reduced from days and hours to minutes and seconds) has recently been proven in several different fields of organic chemistry. This specific account mainly summarizes our own experiences in developing rapid, robust, and selective microwave-assisted transition metal-catalyzed homogeneous reactions. Applications include selective Heck couplings, cross-couplings, and asymmetric substitutions. The science of green chemistry was developed to meet the increasing demand for environmentally benign chemical processes. We believe the combination of metal catalysis and microwave heating will be of importance in the search for green laboratory-scale synthesis.
Understanding and exploiting the fatty acid desaturation system in Rhodotorula toruloides (2021)

Our work has gained novel insights on the transcriptional regulation of FAD genes, evolution of FAD enzymes and their roles in UFA biosynthesis, membrane stress resistance and, cell mass and total fatty acid production. Our findings should illuminate fatty acid metabolic engineering in R. toruloides and beyond.
The Holomorphic Embedding Loadflow Method for DC Power Systems and Nonlinear DC Circuits (2016)

The Holomorphic Embedding Loadflow Method is extended here from AC to DC-based systems. Through an appropriate embedding technique, the method is shown to extend naturally to DC power transmission systems, preserving all the constructive and deterministic properties that allow it to obtain the white branch solution in an unequivocal way. Its applications extend to nascent meshed HVDC networks and also to power distribution systems in more-electric vehicles, ships, aircraft, and spacecraft. In these latter areas, it is shown how the method can cleanly accommodate the higher-order nonlinearities that characterize the I-V curves of many devices. The case of a photovoltaic array feeding a constant-power load is given as an example. The extension to the general problem of finding DC operating points in electronics is also discussed, and exemplified on the diode model.
Using light-scattering techniques to better understand the interaction of pulsed ultrasound with contrast microbubbles (2005)

It is important to understand the interaction of pulsed ultrasound with ultrasound contrast agents so that the agents can be utilized to their fullest. Towards this goal, we have optimized light-scattering to provide quantitative information about microbubble oscillations when subjected to diagnostic ultrasound pulses. Initial experiments were performed with individual microbubbles. Pulses from actual diagnostic imaging systems were used to 'activate' the microbubbles. Bubble oscillations were measured by focusing the scattered light onto a photodetector. Data was collected with a fast oscilloscope set up to capture instantaneous bubble oscillation data for many consecutive ultrasound pulses. Results for individual bubbles show that at low pressures, the bubbles can be stable for many pulses. Sometimes, the bubbles evolve, presumably due to shell permeabilization and shell fatigue. Bubble dynamics models compare favorably with the observed oscillations. Light scattering can be an important tool for understanding and optimizing newer bubble imaging modes such as pulse inversion.
Wavelength initialization technique for colorless gigabit WDM-PON (2012)

A new wavelength initialization technique is proposed for colorless gigabit wavelength division multiplexed-passive optical network (WDM-PON). It helps us reduce the time looking for the allocated channel independent of the number of channel of WDM-PON. This method is divided into two steps. First step is searching for wavelength band and second step is searching for a fine channel in wavelength band. The results of each step show that wavelength initialization time can be fixed independent on WDM-PON channels.
Advantages of piezoelectric microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) microphones. (2009)

Microphones fabricated using microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology are one of the fastest growing applications of MEMS. Capacitive sensing has been the dominant form of transduction in both traditional and recently commercialized MEMS microphones. Models and experiments, however, indicate that the thin layers and fine spatial resolution made possible by MEMS technology lend themselves more appropriately to piezoelectric microphones. Although piezoelectric MEMS microphones have typically been shown to have a relatively high noise floor, this limitation can be overcome with appropriate design and high quality piezoelectric material. Models indicate that piezoelectric MEMS microphones can achieve a comparable noise floor to capacitive MEMS microphones of similar size and bandwidth while achieving 1000 times greater dynamic range. A piezoelectric MEMS microphone utilizing aluminum nitride (AlN) will be presented. Previously experienced film quality issues have been addressed. This microphone is designed to have a noise floor below 40 dB (A), a dynamic range greater than 160 dB SPL, a 10 kHz bandwidth, and a sensing area of less than 1 mm2.
Robot-guided long bone intramedullary distal locking: concept and preliminary results (2002)

This paper describes a novel robot-based system to assist orthopaedic surgeons in performing distal intramedullary locking for long bone fracture reduction. The system provides a mechanical guide for drilling the pilot holes of distal screws in femoral and tibial intramedullary nailing surgery. It automatically positions a drill guide with respect to the distal locking nail holes with just a few X-ray fluoroscopic images. The goals of the system are to allow novice and expert surgeons alike to perform the locking without trial and error, to reduce their exposure to radiation, to shorten the intraoperative time, and to reduce complications. We present the rationale and concept of the system, its architecture and usage protocol, its image processing and registration algorithms, and our preliminary results.
Readactor: Practical Code Randomization Resilient to Memory Disclosure (2015)

Code-reuse attacks such as return-oriented programming (ROP) pose a severe threat to modern software. Designing practical and effective defenses against code-reuse attacks is highly challenging. One line of defense builds upon fine-grained code diversification to prevent the adversary from constructing a reliable code-reuse attack. However, all solutions proposed so far are either vulnerable to memory disclosure or are impractical for deployment on commodity systems. In this paper, we address the deficiencies of existing solutions and present the first practical, fine-grained code randomization defense, called Read actor, resilient to both static and dynamic ROP attacks. We distinguish between direct memory disclosure, where the attacker reads code pages, and indirect memory disclosure, where attackers use code pointers on data pages to infer the code layout without reading code pages. Unlike previous work, Read actor resists both types of memory disclosure. Moreover, our technique protects both statically and dynamically generated code. We use a new compiler-based code generation paradigm that uses hardware features provided by modern CPUs to enable execute-only memory and hide code pointers from leakage to the adversary. Finally, our extensive evaluation shows that our approach is practical -- we protect the entire Google Chromium browser and its V8 JIT compiler -- and efficient with an average SPEC CPU2006 performance overhead of only 6.4%.
Inhibin A and pro-αC inhibin in Down syndrome and normal pregnancies (1998)

Using two enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays specific for inhibin A and pro-alpha C inhibin, levels of the two proteins were assessed in maternal serum from 43 Down syndrome and 300 chromosomally normal pregnancies at 15-17 weeks' gestation. Compared to the control pregnancies, both inhibin A and pro-alpha C inhibin were significantly elevated in the Down syndrome pregnancies with median levels, expressed as multiples of the normal median, of 1.53 MoM and 1.34 MoM, respectively (P < 0.001 and P = 0.046 compared to controls). Levels of inhibin A and pro-alpha C inhibin were weakly but significantly correlated in both the control and the Down syndrome sera (r = 0.25, P < 0.0001; r = 0.4, P = 0.008, respectively). These data suggest that the mechanism(s) underlying the elevated inhibin levels observed in Down syndrome may affect the regulation of both the inhibin alpha- and beta A-subunits.
Synthesis gas from solid carbonaceous fuel. [by continuous partial oxidation process in presence of liquid CO/sub 2/] (1976)

This is an improved continuous partial oxidation process for producing synthesis gas or fuel gas from a solid carbonaceous fuel. Liquid CO/sub 2/ and a ground solid carbonaceous fuel such as coal are mixed together to produce a pumpable slurry feed. The CO/sub 2/ serves as a carrier for the carbonaceous fuel and as a temperature moderator, and is preferably obtained by purifying the product gas.
Rapid measurement of time‐averaged blood flow using ungated spiral phase‐contrast (2003)

A novel ungated spiral phase-contrast (USPC) imaging method was developed for rapid measurement of time-averaged blood-flow rates in the presence of pulsatility. The spatial point-spread function was analyzed to provide an intuitive understanding of how spiral trajectories, which sample the k-space origin at every excitation, can mitigate the effects of pulsatility. Pulsatile flow phantom experiments were performed to validate the accuracy and repeatability of the USPC method. The measurement of flow in the renal and femoral arteries of normal volunteers were also performed. The phantom results (error < or = +9%, SD(phantom) < or = 2%, time-averaged pulsatile-flow rates = 3-15 ml/s) and in vivo results (SD(renal) < or = 8%, SD(femoral) < or = 14%) demonstrate the potential of the USPC method for rapidly and repeatedly measuring accurate time-averaged blood flow even in relatively small arteries and in the presence of strong pulsatility.
MO‐G‐BRB‐04: Feasibility Study of a Nanotechnology‐Enabled Desktop Image‐Guided Microbeam Radiation Therapy System (2011)

Purpose: Microbeam radiation therapy (MRT) is a preclinical and radical radiotherapy treatment that has significant potentials for clinical applications. Animal studies have shown that, although only a small fraction of the tumor volume is within the paths of the microbeams, the entire tumor can be eradicated with no damage to the function of normal tissues. However the lack of MRT delivery systems prevents most cancer researchers from MRT laboratory research and hinders the translation to clinical application. We propose to develop the world first desktop image‐ guided MRT system for cancer research now and potential clinical treatment in the future. Methods: The key challenge for a desktop MRT system is dose rate and the enabling technology is the recently emerged carbon nanotube (CNT) based spatially distributed x‐ray source technology. We have performed the corresponding simulations on the x‐ray tube electron optics and the anode heat dissipation. Monte Carlo simulation was used to evaluate the dosimetric characteristics of the system. A prototype MRT device was also constructed to validate the system design and the simulation results. Results: We have already carried out initial feasibility studies and the results indicate that this novel nanotechnology‐enabled desktop MRT system is capable of producing characteristic MRT radiation comparable to the MRT radiation produced by the synchrotron facilities. Conclusions: We strongly believe that there is a great potential to translate this promising MRT treatment from animal research to widespread clinical application. Because of the relative low cost and compactness of the proposed MRT system, once developed, the MRT treatment technology can be made readily available and affordable for widespread research and clinical application in US and beyond to benefit all cancer patients.
Ultrasensitive Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Flow Detector Using Hydrodynamic Focusing (2013)

Label-free, chemical specific detection in flow is important for high throughput characterization of analytes in applications such as flow injection analysis, electrophoresis, and chromatography. We have developed a surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) flow detector capable of ultrasensitive optical detection on the millisecond time scale. The device employs hydrodynamic focusing to improve SERS detection in a flow channel where a sheath flow confines analyte molecules eluted from a fused silica capillary over a planar SERS-active substrate. Increased analyte interactions with the SERS substrate significantly improve detection sensitivity. The performance of this flow detector was investigated using a combination of finite element simulations, fluorescence imaging, and Raman experiments. Computational fluid dynamics based on finite element analysis was used to optimize the flow conditions. The modeling indicates that a number of factors, such as the capillary dimensions and the ratio of the sheath flow to analyte flow rates, are critical for obtaining optimal results. Sample confinement resulting from the flow dynamics was confirmed using wide-field fluorescence imaging of rhodamine 6G (R6G). Raman experiments at different sheath flow rates showed increased sensitivity compared with the modeling predictions, suggesting increased adsorption. Using a 50 ms acquisition, a sheath flow rate of 180 μL/min, and a sample flow rate of 5 μL/min, a linear dynamic range from nanomolar to micromolar concentrations of R6G with a limit of detection (LOD) of 1 nM is observed. At low analyte concentrations, rapid analyte desorption is observed, enabling repeated and high-throughput SERS detection. The flow detector offers substantial advantages over conventional SERS-based assays such as minimal sample volumes and high detection efficiency.
Synthetic Ultra-High-Resolution Millimeter-Wave Imaging for Skin Cancer Detection (2018)

This work introduces, for the first time, a millimeter-wave imaging system with a "synthetic" ultra-wide imaging bandwidth of 98 GHz to provide the ultra-high resolutions required for early-stage skin cancer detection. The proposed approach consists of splitting the required ultra-wide imaging bandwidth into four sub-bands, and assigning each sub-band to a separate imaging element, i.e., an antenna radiator. Each of the sub-band antennas transmits and receives signals only at its corresponding sub-band. The captured signals are then combined and processed to form the image of the target. For each sub-band, a Vivaldi tapered slot antenna fed with a combination of substrate-integrated waveguide and coplanar waveguide is designed and microfabricated. Design techniques are also provided for the four similarly-shaped sub-band antennas for achieving excellent impedance matches ( S<sub>11</sub> < -10 dB) and nearly constant gains of 10 dBi over the entire 12-110 GHz bandwidth. The design procedure is validated by comparing the simulated results with measurements performed on the fabricated prototypes. Excellent agreements are obtained between simulations and measurements. Finally, the feasibility of detecting early-stage skin tumors in three dimensions is experimentally verified by employing the sub-band antennas in a synthetic ultra-wideband imaging system with a bandwidth of 98 GHz. Two separate setups, each comprising a dispersive skin-mimicking phantom as well as two dispersive spherical tumors, are constructed for imaging experiments. Lateral and axial resolutions of 200 μm are confirmed, and a successful reconstruction of the spherical tumors is achieved in both cases.