gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Payment minimization auction with demand bids and partial compensation of startup costs for deregulated electricity markets (2005)

Deregulated electricity markets use an auction mechanics to select supply offers and demand bids from market participants, and set market clearing prices (IMCPs) to charge and pay for energy and ancillary services. It has been pointed out that currently the cost minimized by ISO's is not the cost actually paid by consumers. A problem that directly minimizes consumers' payment cost under the simplifying assumptions of given system demand and full compensation of startup costs was solved by using a novel generalized surrogate optimization framework. Building on this paper presents a payment cost minimization problem with demand bids and offers compensated for startup costs by the excess of offer values over energy market values in a day. A new formulation is developed to properly consider the role of demand bids in market settlement, and model offers' compensations. Building on the augmented Lagrangian relaxation approach and the generalized surrogate optimization framework, a method is developed to solve this new problem by forming and solving subproblems for individual offers and demand bids by using the generalized surrogate optimization framework. Since different cost structures of the Lagrangian are caused not only by different combinations of selected offers, but also by different combinations of selected demand bids, there is complexity in solving subproblems. Our idea is to solve demand bids independent of offer subproblems for a given set of multipliers. With this, the complexity of individual subproblems is not expanded as compared to the payment cost minimization problem with fixed demand. Meanwhile, difficulty in solving offer subproblems caused by the non-time-additive compensations is overcome by redefining offers' compensations to be independent variables subject to linear inequality constraints, and relaxing these constraints by using multipliers. Numerical testing shows that this method is effective, and near optimal solution can be obtained for medium-sized problems.
BAFi: a practical cryptographic secure audit logging scheme for digital forensics (2015)

Audit logs provide information about historical states of computer systems. They also contain highly valuable data that can be used by law enforcement in forensic investigations. Thus, ensuring the authenticity and integrity of audit logs is of vital importance. An ideal security mechanism for audit logging must also satisfy security properties such as forward-security compromise resiliency, compactness, and computational efficiency. Unfortunately, existing secure audit logging schemes lack the computational or storage efficiency for modern performance requirements. Indeed, the practicality of such schemes has not been investigated in real-life systems, where logs generated in various occasions could be terabytes of data per day.
Membrane Gas Absorption (1995)

Membrane gas absorption processes are absorption processes utilising hollow fibre membranes as contacting media for gas and liquid flows. The principle of operation and engineering aspects are discussed, followed by discussion of a number of typical applications. Benefits in terms of operation, efficiency and costs are shown to exist for a variety of applications, as a result of the equipment compactness and flexibility. The use of a cross-flow, modular membrane unit enhances the opportunities for the application of membrane gas absorption.
On the performance of two-way multiuser mixed RF/FSO relay networks with opportunistic scheduling & asymmetric channel gains (2017)

In this paper, the performance of two-way relaying (TWR) multiuser mixed radio frequency/free space optical (RF/FSO) relay networks with opportunistic user scheduling and asymmetric channel fading is studied. First, closed-form expressions for the exact outage probability, asymptotic (high signal-to-noise ration (SNR)) outage probability, and average ergodic channel capacity are derived assuming heterodyne detection (HD) scheme. Additionally, impacts of several system parameters including number of users, pointing errors, and atmospheric turbulence conditions on the overall network performance are investigated. All the theoretical results are validated by Monte-Carlo simulations. The results show that the TWR scheme almost doubles the network ergodic capacity compared to that of one-way relaying (OWR) scheme with the same outage performance. Additionally, the overall diversity order of the network is shown to be affected not only by the number of users, but it is also a function of the pointing error and atmospheric turbulence conditions.
RNAIII-INHIBITING PEPTIDE IN COMBINATION WITH THE CATHELICIDIN BMAP-28 REDUCES LETHALITY IN MOUSE MODELS OF STAPHYLOCOCCAL SEPSIS (2006)

A mouse model of staphylococcal sepsis was used to evaluate the efficacy of RNAIII-inhibiting peptide (RIP) combined with the cathelicidin BMAP-28. Preliminary in vitro studies showed that both peptides, alone or combined, were able to inhibit the lipoteichoic acid-induced production of tumor necrosis factor alpha and nitric oxide by RAW 264.7 cells. For in vivo experiments, the main outcome measures were lethality, quantitative blood cultures, and detection of tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin 6 plasma levels. BALB/c mice were injected i.v. with 2.0 x 10(6) colony-forming units of live Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 or with 5.0 x 10(8) heat-killed cells of the same strain. All animals were randomized to receive i.v. isotonic sodium chloride solution, 10-mg/kg RIP, alone or in combination with 2-mg/kg BMAP-28, 7-mg/kg imipenem, or 7-mg/kg vancomycin, immediately and at 6 hours after bacterial challenge. In in vivo experiments performed with live bacteria, all compounds reduced lethality rates and bacteremia when compared with controls. In general, combined-treated groups had significantly lower bacteremia when compared with single-treated groups. Lowest lethality rates and bacteremia were obtained when RIP was administered in combination with BMAP-28 or vancomycin. In the experiments performed using heat-killed organisms, only BMAP-28 demonstrated significant efficacy on lethality rates and cytokines plasma levels when compared with controls. RIP combined with BMAP-28 exhibited the highest efficacy on all main outcome measurements. These data were observed on both immediate and delayed treatments. These results highlight the capacity of RIP and BMAP-28 to reduce the septic effects of bacterial cell components and exotoxins, and suggest their potential use in the treatment of severe staphylococcus-associated sepsis.
Chemotaxis by mouse macrophage cell lines. (1981)

Five mouse macrophage cell lines were tested for chemotaxis and phagocytosis. All 5 cell lines ingested sheep red cells coated with rabbit IgG anti-Forssman antibody and exhibited chemotaxis to endotoxin-activated mouse serum (EAMS) and lymphocyte-derived chemotactic factor. Two cell lines were tested for chemotaxis to f-Met-Leu-Phe and neither responded. Four of the cell lines (RAW264, RAW309CR, PU5-1R, and WR19M.1) exhibited chemotaxis to C5a. These cell lines displayed a 1- to 2-hr lag before migrating toward EAMS, and chemotaxis was dependent upon cell density. When fewer than 10(3) cells were present per mm2 of filter surface, less than 10% of the cells migrated; however, at a density of 5 X 10(3) cells/mm2 50 to 70% of the cells migrated. WEHI-3 differed from the other cell lines in that there was no chemotaxis to C5a, migration to EAMS did not have a detectable lag, and there was no cell density dependence for chemotaxis. Comparison of these chemotactic properties with those reported in the literature for mouse macrophages and monocytes suggests that RAW264, RAW309CR, PU5-1R, and WR19M.1 have properties that are similar to those of mouse resident macrophages, whereas WEHI-3 may have some of the properties of mouse monocytes.
Cellulose Triacetate Dielectric Films For Capacitors (1994)

Cellulose triacetate investigated for use as dielectric material in high-energy-density capacitors for pulsed-electrical-power systems. Films of cellulose triacetate metalized on one or both sides for use as substrates for electrodes and/or as dielectrics between electrodes in capacitors. Used without metalization as simple dielectric films. Advantages include high breakdown strength and self-healing capability.
Inorganic−Organic Phase Arrangement as a Factor Affecting Gas-Phase Desulfurization on Catalytic Carbonaceous Adsorbents (2005)

Dried sewage sludge was physically mixed with waste paper (paper-to-sludge ratios from 25% to 75%). To increase the catalytic activity, from 1% to 6% calcium hydroxide was added to the mixtures. Then the precursors were carbonized at 950 degrees C. The performance of materials as H2S adsorbents was tested using a home-developed dynamic breakthrough test. The samples, before and after the adsorption process, were characterized by adsorption of nitrogen, potentiometric titration, thermal analysis, XRF, and SEM. Differences in the performance were linked to the surface properties. Itwas found that mixing paper with sludge increases the amount of H2S adsorbed/oxidized in comparison with that adsorbed/oxidized by the adsorbents obtained from pure precursors (sludge or waste paper) and the capacity is comparable to those of the best activated carbons existing on the market. Although both sewage sludge and waste paper provide the catalytic centers for hydrogen sulfide oxidation, the dispersion of the catalyst and its location within accessible pores is an important factor. The presence of cellulose in the precursor mixture leads to the formation of a light macroporous char whose particles physically separate the inorganic catalytic phase of the sewage sludge origin, decreasing the density of the adsorbent and thus providing more space for storage of oxidation products. This, along with calcium, contributes to a significant increase in the capacity of the materials as hydrogen sulfide adsorbents. On their surface about 30 wt % H2S can be adsorbed, mainly as elemental sulfur or sulfates. The results demonstrate the importance of the composition and arrangement of inorganic/ organic phases for the removal of hydrogen sulfide. The interesting finding is that although some microporosity is necessary to increase the storage area for oxidation products, the carbonaceous phase does not need to be highly microporous. It is important that it provides space for deposition of sulfur, which is formed on the inorganic-phase catalyst. That space can be in meso- and macropores as shown in the case of char derived from the waste paper.
An almost non-blocking stack (2004)

Non-blocking data structure implementations can be useful for performance and fault-tolerance reasons. And they are far easier to use correctly in a signal- or interrupt-handler context.We describe a weaker class of "almost non-blocking" data structures, which block only if more than some number N of threads attempt to simultaneously access the same data structure. We argue that this gives much of the benefit of fully non-blocking data structures, particularly for signal or interrupt handlers.We present an almost non-blocking linked stack implementation which is efficiently implementable even on hardware providing a single word compare-and-swap operation, while potentially providing the same interface as a well-known fully non-blocking solution, which relies on a double-width compare-and-swap instruction. By making a platform-dependent choice between these, we can implement a signal-handler-safe stack or free-list abstraction that is both portable and exhibits uniformly high performance with any flavor of compare-and-swap instruction.
Optical apparatus and method for sensing uranyl (1994)

An optical sensing device for uranyl and other substances, a method for making an optical sensing device and a method for chemically binding uranyl and other indicators to glass, quartz, cellulose and similar substrates. The indicator, such as arsenazo III, is immobilized on the substrate using a chemical binding process. The immobilized arsenazo III causes uranyl from a fluid sample to bind irreversibly to the substrate at its active sites, thus causing absorption of a portion of light transmitted through the substrate. Determination of the amount of light absorbed, using conventional means, yields the concentration of uranyl present in the sample fluid. The binding of uranyl on the substrate can be reversed by subsequent exposure of the substrate to a solution of 2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid. The chemical binding process is suitable for similarly binding other indicators, such as bromocresol green.
Thermoelectric Performance Enhancement by Surrounding Crystalline Semiconductors with Metallic Nanoparticles (2011)

Direct conversion of thermal energy to electricity by thermoelectric (TE) devices may play a key role in future energy production and utilization. However, relatively poor performance of current TE materials has slowed development of new energy conversion applications. Recent reports have shown that the dimensionless Figure of Merit, ZT, for TE devices can be increased beyond the state-of-the-art level by nanoscale structuring of materials to reduce their thermal conductivity. New morphologically designed TE materials have been fabricated at the NASA Langley Research Center, and their characterization is underway. These newly designed materials are based on semiconductor crystal grains whose surfaces are surrounded by metallic nanoparticles. The nanoscale particles are used to tailor the thermal and electrical conduction properties for TE applications by altering the phonon and electron transport pathways. A sample of bismuth telluride decorated with metallic nanoparticles showed less thermal conductivity and twice the electrical conductivity at room temperature as compared to pure Bi2Te3. Apparently, electrons cross easily between semiconductor crystal grains via the intervening metallic nanoparticle bridges, but phonons are scattered at the interfacing gaps. Hence, if the interfacing gap is larger than the mean free path of the phonon, thermal energy transmission from one grain to others is reduced. Here we describe the design and analysis of these new materials that offer substantial improvements in thermoelectric performance.
DETECTING EMULATED ENVIRONMENTS (2012)

One of the most powerful tools in the hacker's reverse engineering arsenal is the virtual machine. These systems provide a simple mechanism for executing code in an environment in which the program can be carefully monitored and controlled, allowing attackers to subvert copy protection and access trade secrets. One of the challenges for anti-reverse engineering tools is how to protect software within such an untrustworthy environment. From the perspective of a running program, detecting an emulated environment is not trivial: the attacker can emulate the result of different operations with arbitrarily high fidelity. This paper demonstrates a mechanism that is able to detect even carefully constructed virtual environments by focusing on the stochastic variation of system call timings. A statistical technique for detecting emulated environments is presented, which uses a model of normal system call behavior to successfully identify two commonly used virtual environments under realistic conditions.
Progesterone Prevents Sleep Disturbances and Modulates GH, TSH, and Melatonin Secretion in Postmenopausal Women (2011)

Abstract Context: A number of neuroactive progesterone metabolites produce sedative-like effects. However, the effects of progesterone administration on sleep are not well characterized. Objective: To investigate the effects of a 3-wk progesterone administration on sleep architecture and multiple hormonal profiles. Subjects: Eight healthy postmenopausal women, 48–74 yr old, without sleep complaints or vasomotor symptoms. None was on hormone replacement therapy. They did not take any medication for ≥2 months. Design: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. For 3 wk, subjects took daily at 2300 h a capsule of either 300 mg of progesterone or placebo. Sleep was polygraphically recorded during the last two nights, and blood samples were obtained at 15-min intervals for 24 h. Results: During the first night (no blood sampling), sleep was similar in both conditions. Under placebo, blood sampling procedure was associated with marked sleep disturbances, which were considerably reduced under progesterone treatment: mean duration of wake after sleep onset was 53% lower, slow-wave sleep duration almost 50% higher, and total slow-wave activity (reflecting duration and intensity of deep sleep) almost 45% higher under progesterone than under placebo (P ≤ 0.05). Nocturnal GH secretion was increased, and evening and nocturnal TSH levels were decreased under progesterone (P ≤ 0.05). Conclusions: Progesterone had no effect on undisturbed sleep but restored normal sleep when sleep was disturbed (while currently available hypnotics tend to inhibit deep sleep), acting as a “physiologic” regulator rather than as a hypnotic drug. Use of progesterone might provide novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of sleep disturbances, in particular in aging where sleep is fragmented and of lower quality.
On-line reorganization in object databases (2000)

Reorganization of objects in an object databases is an important component of several operations like compaction, clustering, and schema evolution. The high availability requirements (24 × 7 operation) of certain application domains requires reorganization to be performed on-line with minimal interference to concurrently executing transactions. In this paper, we address the problem of on-line reorganization in object databases, where a set of objects have to be migrated from one location to another. Specifically, we consider the case where objects in the database may contain physical references to other objects. Relocating an object in this case involves finding the set of objects (parents) that refer to it, and modifying the references in each parent. We propose an algorithm called the Incremental Reorganization Algorithm (IRA) that achieves the above task with minimal interference to concurrently executing transactions. The IRA algorithm holds locks on at most two distinct objects at any point of time. We have implemented IRA on Brahma, a storage manager developed at IIT Bombay, and conducted an extensive performance study. Our experiments reveal that IRA makes on-line reorganization feasible, with very little impact on the response times of concurrently executing transactions and on overall system throughput. We also describe how the IRA algorithm can handle system failures.
Wireless ATM: limits, challenges, and proposals (1996)

There has been an increased interest in the topic of "wireless ATM". The subject matter raises interest due to the potential combination of two of the hottest topics in communications of the mid-1990s, but at the same time raises a natural question as to its viability, and sometimes even its desirability. In this article the authors survey potential applications of wireless ATM and describe what is usually meant by wireless ATM, why it may make sense, and some of the proposals to build systems based on it. The emphasis in this article is on the physical layer, the data link layer, and the access layer. The authors also present general observations on each of these layers, and some research solutions to these problems. Mobility issues and interoperability with the existing networks are addressed. Finally, the authors list some of the proposals to build wireless ATM systems from the literature.
Power scaling of diode-pumped Nd:YVO/sub 4/ lasers (2002)

The evaluation of pump capability and scaling the output power of Nd:YVO/sub 4/ (vanadate) lasers are presented in this paper. Taking into account thermal fracture limitation and fundamental mode operation, systematic investigations of vanadate crystals have been conducted in an effort to scale the output power of diode-pumped lasers to higher levels. Based on the limitation of pump power, the input versus output power and beam propagation factor of vanadate lasers are optimized with knowledge of the thermal lensing effect and maximum pump power. The theoretical analyzes provide a good prediction for the output power of diode-pumped Nd:YVO/sub 4/ lasers, which is in agreement with the experiment. A practical example of a single-end-pumped vanadate laser is demonstrated with continuous-wave output powers of 9.8 W in the TEM/sub oo/ mode and 12.4 W in multimode.
Robust Deconvolution of Complex Mixtures by Covariance TOCSY Spectroscopy (2007)

Reliable analysis of complex mixtures has been achieved with a new analytical method, dubbed DemixC, for the deconvolution of the NMR spectrum of a mixture into individual components (see scheme). The method, which is based on covariance total correlation spectroscopy (TOCSY) spectra, identifies traces with minimal spectral overlap with other spin systems that can be scanned against an NMR database. Supporting information for this article is available on the WWW under http://www.wiley-vch.de/contents/jc_2002/2007/z604599_s.pdf or from the author. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.
Improved method and apparatus for waste collection and storage (1987)

A method and apparatus for the collection of fecal matter are designed to operate efficiently in a zero gravity environment. The system comprises a waste collection area within a body having a seat opening. Low pressure within the waste collection area directs fecal matter away from the user's buttocks and prevents the escape of undesirable gases. The user actuates a piston covered with an absorbent pad that sweeps through the waste collection area to collect fecal matter, scrub the waste collection area, press the matter against an end of the waste collection area and retracts, leaving the used pad. Multiple pads are provided on the piston to accommodate multiple uses of the system. Also a valve allows air to be drawn through the body, which valve will not be plugged with fecal matter. A sheet feeder feeds fresh sheets of absorbent pad to a face of the piston with each actuation.
Fibrin monomer induces binding of endogenous platelet von Willebrand factor to the glycocalicin portion of platelet glycoprotein IB (1987)

This study demonstrates that when platelets are stimulated by thrombin in the presence of low concentrations of purified human fibrinogen (10 to 20 micrograms/mL, final concentration) binding of released platelet von Willebrand factor (plt-vWF) to the platelet membrane is enhanced. This effect appears to be mediated by fibrin monomer produced by the action of thrombin on the fibrinogen in the incubation suspension. When fibrin polymerization is inhibited, the binding of released plt-vWF to the platelets is markedly increased. This enhanced binding is dependent on platelet glycoprotein Ib (GPIb) as shown by a decreased response with Bernard-Soulier platelets and inhibition by both monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies against glycocalicin. The binding of fibrin to thrombin-activated platelets preincubated with monoclonal antibody against GPIIb/IIIa is increased when the predominant form of fibrin is fibrin monomer. The fibrin binding is also decreased in the presence of antibody against glycocalicin. Our data demonstrate that fibrin monomer facilitates plt-vWF binding to the glycocalicin portion of platelet GPIb on thrombin-stimulated platelets and that binding of fibrin monomer to glycocalicin is necessary for this response to occur.