gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
An integrated multiple-substream unequal error protection and error concealment algorithm for Internet video applications (2003)

This paper presents a coordinated multiple-substream unequal error protection and error concealment algorithm for SPIHT-coded bitstreams transmitted over lossy channels. In the proposed scheme, we divide the video sequence corresponding to a group of pictures into two sub-sequences in the temporal domain and independently encode each sub-sequence with a 3-D SPIHT algorithm to generate two independent substreams. Each substream is protected by an FEC-based unequal error protection algorithm that assigns unequal forward error correction codes for each substream with bit-plane granularity. The information that is lost during transmission for one substream is estimated at the receiver by using the correlation between the two substreams and the smoothness of the video signal. Simulation results show that the proposed multiple-substream UEP algorithm is simple, fast, and robust in hostile network conditions, and that the proposed error concealment algorithm achieves about 1-3 dB PSNR gain over the case where there is no error concealment at high packet loss rates.
On standardizing the MR image intensity scale (1999)

The lack of a standard image intensity scale in MRI causes many difficulties in image display and analysis. A two-step postprocessing method is proposed for standardizing the intensity scale in such a way that for the same MR protocol and body region, similar intensities will have similar tissue meaning. In the first step, the parameters of the standardizing transformation are "learned" from a set of images. In the second step, for each MR study these parameters are used to map their histogram into the standardized histogram. The method was tested quantitatively on 90 whole-brain studies of multiple sclerosis patients for several protocols and qualitatively for several other protocols and body regions. Measurements using mean squared difference showed that the standardized image intensities have statistically significantly (P < 0.01) more consistent range and meaning than the originals. Fixed gray level windows can be established for the standardized images and used for display without the need of per case adjustment. Preliminary results also indicate that the method facilitates improving the degree of automation of image segmentation. Magn Reson Med 42:1072-1081, 1999.
Optimal Coding Rate Control of Scalable and Multi Bit Rate Streaming Media (2005)

Perhaps the major technical problem in streaming media on demand over the Internet is the need to adapt to changing network conditions. In this paper, we investigate the problem of coding rate control, or equivalently quality adaptation, in response to changing network conditions such as the onset of congestion. Using the theory of optimal linear quadratic control, we design an efficient online rate control algorithm. Extensive analytical and experimental results show that three goals are achieved: fast startup (about 1 s delay without bursting), continuous playback in the face of severe congestion, and maximal quality and smoothness over the entire streaming session. We argue that our algorithm complements any transport protocol, and we demonstrate that it works effectively with both TCP and TFRC transport protocols. Finally, we demonstrate that our algorithm is directly applicable to and can significantly improve the performance of existing multi bit rate streaming schemes.
Initial evaluation of automated treatment planning software (2016)

Even with advanced inverse-planning techniques, radiation treatment plan opti-mization remains a very time-consuming task with great output variability, which prompted the development of more automated approaches. One commercially available technique mimics the actions of experienced human operators to pro-gressively guide the traditional optimization process with automatically created regions of interest and associated dose-volume objectives. We report on the initial evaluation of this algorithm on 10 challenging cases of locoreginally advanced head and neck cancer. All patients were treated with VMAT to 70 Gy to the gross disease and 56 Gy to the elective bilateral nodes. The results of post-treatment autoplanning (AP) were compared to the original human-driven plans (HDP). We used an objective scoring system based on defining a collection of specific dosimetric metrics and corresponding numeric score functions for each. Five AP techniques with different input dose goals were applied to all patients. The best of them averaged the composite score 8% lower than the HDP, across the patient population. The difference in median values was statistically significant at the 95% confidence level (Wilcoxon paired signed-rank test p = 0.027). This result reflects the premium the institution places on dose homogeneity, which was consistently higher with the HDPs. The OAR sparing was consistently better with the APs, the differences reaching statistical significance for the mean doses to the parotid glands (p < 0.001) and the inferior pharyngeal constrictor (p = 0.016), as well as for the maximum doses to the spinal cord (p = 0.018) and brainstem (p = 0.040). If one is prepared to accept less stringent dose homogeneity criteria from the RTOG 1016 protocol, nine APs would comply with the protocol, while providing lower OAR doses than the HDPs. Overall, AP is a promising clinical tool, but it could benefit from a better process for shifting the balance between the target dose coverage/homogeneity and OAR sparing.
Sequences in Glycoprotein gp41, the CD4 Binding Site, and the V2 Domain Regulate Sensitivity and Resistance of HIV-1 to Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies (2012)

The swarm of quasispecies that evolves in each HIV-1-infected individual represents a source of closely related Env protein variants that can be used to explore various aspects of HIV-1 biology. In this study, we made use of these variants to identify mutations that confer sensitivity and resistance to the broadly neutralizing antibodies found in the sera of selected HIV-1-infected individuals. For these studies, libraries of Env proteins were cloned from infected subjects and screened for infectivity and neutralization sensitivity. The nucleotide sequences of the Env proteins were then compared for pairs of neutralization-sensitive and -resistant viruses. In vitro mutagenesis was used to identify the specific amino acids responsible for the neutralization phenotype. All of the mutations altering neutralization sensitivity/resistance appeared to induce conformational changes that simultaneously enhanced the exposure of two or more epitopes located in different regions of gp160. These mutations appeared to occur at unique positions required to maintain the quaternary structure of the gp160 trimer, as well as conformational masking of epitopes targeted by neutralizing antibodies. Our results show that sequences in gp41, the CD4 binding site, and the V2 domain all have the ability to act as global regulators of neutralization sensitivity. Our results also suggest that neutralization assays designed to support the development of vaccines and therapeutics targeting the HIV-1 Env protein should consider virus variation within individuals as well as virus variation between individuals.
Dynamic shadow removal from front projection displays (2001)

Front-projection display environments suffer from a fundamental problem: users and other objects in the environment can easily and inadvertently block projectors, creating shadows on the displayed image. We introduce a technique that detects and corrects transient shadows in a multi-projector display. Our approach is to minimize the difference between predicted (generated) and observed (camera) images by continuous modification of the projected image values for each display device. We are unaware of any other technique that directly addresses this problem. Furthermore, we speculate that the general predictive monitoring framework introduced here is capable of addressing more general radiometric consistency problems such as display-surface inter-reflections and the changes in display color and intensity due to projector bulb temperature variation.Using an automatically-derived relative position of cameras and projectors in the display environment and a straightforward color correction scheme, the system renders an expected image for each camera location. Cameras observe the displayed image, which is compared with the expected image to detect shadowed regions. These regions are transformed to the appropriate projector frames, where corresponding pixel values are increased. In display regions where more than one projector contributes to the image, shadow regions are eliminated. We demonstrate an implementation of the technique to remove shadows in a multi-projector front projection system.
Tunable multi-wavelength SOA based linear cavity dual-output port fiber laser using Lyot-Sagnac loop mirror (2011)

We propose and demonstrate a simple dual port tunable from the C- to the L-band multi-wavelength fiber laser based on a SOA designed for C-band operation and fiber loop mirrors. The laser incorporates a polarization maintaining fiber in one of the fiber loop mirrors and delivers multi-wavelength operation at 9 laser lines with a wavelength separation of ~2.8 nm at room temperature. We show that the number of lasing wavelengths increases with the increase of the bias current of the SOA. Wavelength tunability from the C to L-band is achieved by exploiting the gain compression of a SOA. Stable multi-wavelength operation is achieved at room temperature without temperature compensation techniques, with measured power and the wavelength stability within < ±0.5 dB and ±0.1 nm, respectively.
Portable chemical gas sensor prototype for nitroaromatic compounds detection (2006)

This paper presents the conception and the development of portable gas sensor prototypes for nitroaromatic compounds detection. It is based on quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) principle and a data processing. The sensitive material is a polymer which was chosen for its good sensibility and robustness. This prototype is able to detect 3 ppm of nitroaromatic compound with a high selectivity.
Data-Augmented Software Diagnosis (2016)

Software fault prediction algorithms predict which software components is likely to contain faults using machine learning techniques. Software diagnosis algorithm identify the faulty software components that caused a failure using model-based or spectrum based approaches. We show how software fault prediction algorithms can be used to improve software diagnosis. The resulting data-augmented diagnosis algorithm overcomes key problems in software diagnosis algorithms: ranking diagnoses and distinguishing between diagnoses with high probability and low probability. We demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed approach empirically on three open sources domains, showing significant increase in accuracy of diagnosis and efficiency of troubleshooting. These encouraging results suggests broader use of data-driven methods to complement and improve existing model-based methods.
Rare 2-Substituted Purine Nucleosides (1987)

Abstract : This project is concerned with the synthesis of rare 2-substituted purine nucleosides with therapeutic potential against RNA viruses. The goals were to develop rational procedures for the synthesis of the target molecules discussed in the proposal. Synthetic procedures to eight of the target molecules were developed. Two of these compounds, both inosine analogues, were submitted for antiviral evaluation. Four others were in various stages of preparation for submission. In the course of this research investigation conceptually new synthetic methodologies in purine nucleoside chemistry were also discovered.
Two Sides of a Coin: Optimizing the Schedule of MapReduce Jobs to Minimize Their Makespan and Improve Cluster Performance (2012)

Large-scale MapReduce clusters that routinely process petabytes of unstructured and semi-structured data represent a new entity in the changing landscape of clouds. A key challenge is to increase the utilization of these MapReduce clusters. In this work, we consider a subset of the production workload that consists of MapReduce jobs with no dependencies. We observe that the order in which these jobs are executed can have a significant impact on their overall completion time and the cluster resource utilization. Our goal is to automate the design of a job schedule that minimizes the completion time (makespan) of such a set of MapReduce jobs. We offer a novel abstraction framework and a heuristic, called BalancedPools, that efficiently utilizes performance properties of MapReduce jobs in a given workload for constructing an optimized job schedule. Simulations performed over a realistic workload demonstrate that 15%-38% makespan improvements are achievable by simply processing the jobs in the right order.
High Refractive Index Polymers (1991)

Abstract Rodlike polymers with repeat units composed of groups with high π-electron density directly on the backbone, such as linearly conjugated double bonds and aromatic heterocyclic rings, exhibit high isotropic refractive indexes and high birefringence values when oriented. Typical polyamide birefringence values for oriented films far exceed 0.5 and several are as high as 0.85; the corresponding parallel and perpendicular indexes for these polymers are in the 2.2-2.4 and 1.5-1.7 range, respectively, depending on the molecular structure and degree of orientation. The isotropic index values may be as high as 1.8-2.0. In order to make optical devices utilizing these highly birefringent films, it is frequently necessary to bond them to films or glass, which necessitates the use of index-matching, optical-quality bonding agents. We devised two synthetic strategies to obtain polymers that exhibit these properties. In one approach, we synthesized a series of colorless, nonbirefringent, polyacrylates (and methacry-lates) containing halogenated carbazole rings; these results will be reported in a forthcoming paper that is currently being prepared. We have also modified rodlike polyamides by substituting index-enhancing groups directly on the amide nitrogen; the refractive index values of the resulting materials are in the 1.60-1.67 range. The most important finding of the latter research was the realization that rodlike polyamides not only exhibit unusually high birefringence, but also greatly enhanced isotropic refractive indexes, which is directly related to their rodlike conformation.
Determination of radiation exposure history of common materials and computer hardware by using atomic (and magnetic force) microscopy (2003)

Defects produced by ionizing radiation are smaller than a micrometer and are unobservable in an optical microscope. An atomic force microscope was utilized to reveal their counts and structure in common materials like mica, silicon, organic solids, polymers, sugar, quartz, and calcite. A magnetic force microscope has shown the damage of radiation on computer hard disks. The present work shows that exposure to radioactive material leaves a permanent record, which can be read for dosimetric or forensic purposes by using atomic force microcopy on common objects or a magnetic force microscope on magnetic media.
Holographic data storage media for practical systems (2003)

Holographic data storage (HDS), which makes use of the full volume of the recording medium, possesses high potential by promising fast transfer rates of hundreds of Megabytes/sec and storage densities greater than 200 Gbytes per 120mm disk. The restrictions that are placed on the holographic media, however, are stringent. Described here is a high performance photopolymer based medium that has the properties necessary to enable this technology. Through the use of several different holographic techniques, the material characteristics that are necessary for holographic storage products may be determined. The two different systems that are discussed here include Plane Wave and Digital Holographic Data Storage. These measured characteristics include high dynamic range (M/#), sensitivity, and small recording-induced Bragg detuning. In addition, results of archival and shelf-life environmental testing of the media will be discussed.
Increasing valine, isoleucine, and total branched chain amino acids for the lactating sow (1996)

One hundred eighty-five sows were used to evaluate effects of the interrelationship between isoleucine and valine on sow and litter performance. Litter weight and weight gain at weaning increased as dietary valine, isoleucine, and total branched chain amino acids increased. Increasing dietary valine increased concentrations of milk DM and fat. Milk DM, CP, and fat increased as dietary isoleucine increased. Both valine and isoleucine increased litter weights. The independent increases in litter weaning weights from adding valine and isoleucine suggest separate modes of action in the lactating sow.; Swine Day, Manhattan, KS, November 21, 1996
Detection Evolution with Multi-order Contextual Co-occurrence (2013)

Context has been playing an increasingly important role to improve the object detection performance. In this paper we propose an effective representation, Multi-Order Contextual co-Occurrence (MOCO), to implicitly model the high level context using solely detection responses from a baseline object detector. The so-called (1st-order) context feature is computed as a set of randomized binary comparisons on the response map of the baseline object detector. The statistics of the 1st-order binary context features are further calculated to construct a high order co-occurrence descriptor. Combining the MOCO feature with the original image feature, we can evolve the baseline object detector to a stronger context aware detector. With the updated detector, we can continue the evolution till the contextual improvements saturate. Using the successful deformable-part-model detector [13] as the baseline detector, we test the proposed MOCO evolution framework on the PASCAL VOC 2007 dataset [8] and Caltech pedestrian dataset [7]: The proposed MOCO detector outperforms all known state-of-the-art approaches, contextually boosting deformable part models (ver. 5) [13] by 3.3% in mean average precision on the PASCAL 2007 dataset. For the Caltech pedestrian dataset, our method further reduces the log-average miss rate from 48% to 46% and the miss rate at 1 FPPI from 25% to 23%, compared with the best prior art [6].
Rescue, Amplification, Purification, and PEGylation of Replication Defective First-Generation Adenoviral Vectors (2010)

Adenoviral gene therapy vectors have been widely studied and used. Their extremely high transduction efficiency and gene delivery in vivo make them attractive for cancer gene therapy approaches. While they are robust, they are also very immunogenic. One approach to mitigate the immunogenicity of adenoviruses and to evade neutralizing antibodies is to coat the virus with the hydrophilic polymer polyethylene glycol (PEG) (1). This chapter details the steps involved when going from recombinant adenoviral vector plasmid all the way to validated PEGylated adenovirus product.
Custom-fitting earplug formed <i>in situ</i> using foaming action (1992)

A custom-fitting earplug (18) for hearing protection or other ear applications, or in-ear communications device mounting (40) is fabricated in situ by depositing a foaming material (14 or 24) within the person's ear (10 or 42, respectively) and allowing the foaming material (14 or 24) to expand therein to form foam (16 or 44, respectively). By applying slight pressure from outside the person's ear (10 or 42) through the stem (13) and/or keeper (11) during expansion, the foam (16 or 44, respectively) will be tightly packed in and conform to the ear canal. An optional sheath (15 or 36) positioned over the foaming material (14 or 24, respectively) serves to provide a smooth outer surface for the earplug (18) or communications device (40) produced and can aid in defining and limiting the expansion of the foam (14 or 24, respectively).
Face Recognition in Movie Trailers via Mean Sequence Sparse Representation-Based Classification (2013)

This paper presents an end-to-end video face recognition system, addressing the difficult problem of identifying a video face track using a large dictionary of still face images of a few hundred people, while rejecting unknown individuals. A straightforward application of the popular l <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">1</sup> -minimization for face recognition on a frame-by-frame basis is prohibitively expensive, so we propose a novel algorithm Mean Sequence SRC (MSSRC) that performs video face recognition using a joint optimization leveraging all of the available video data and the knowledge that the face track frames belong to the same individual. By adding a strict temporal constraint to the l <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">1</sup> -minimization that forces individual frames in a face track to all reconstruct a single identity, we show the optimization reduces to a single minimization over the mean of the face track. We also introduce a new Movie Trailer Face Dataset collected from 101 movie trailers on YouTube. Finally, we show that our method matches or outperforms the state-of-the-art on three existing datasets (YouTube Celebrities, YouTube Faces, and Buffy) and our unconstrained Movie Trailer Face Dataset. More importantly, our method excels at rejecting unknown identities by at least 8% in average precision.
Engineering Botulinum Neurotoxin C1 as a Molecular Vehicle for Intra-Neuronal Drug Delivery (2017)

Botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) binds to and internalizes its light chain into presynaptic compartments with exquisite specificity. While the native toxin is extremely lethal, bioengineering of BoNT has the potential to eliminate toxicity without disrupting neuron-specific targeting, thereby creating a molecular vehicle capable of delivering therapeutic cargo into the neuronal cytosol. Building upon previous work, we have developed an atoxic derivative (ad) of BoNT/C1 through rationally designed amino acid substitutions in the metalloprotease domain of wild type (wt) BoNT/C1. To test if BoNT/C1 ad retains neuron-specific targeting without concomitant toxic host responses, we evaluated the localization, activity, and toxicity of BoNT/C1 ad in vitro and in vivo. In neuronal cultures, BoNT/C1 ad light chain is rapidly internalized into presynaptic compartments, but does not cleave SNARE proteins nor impair spontaneous neurotransmitter release. In mice, systemic administration resulted in the specific co-localization of BoNT/C1 ad with diaphragmatic motor nerve terminals. The mouse LD<sub>50</sub> of BoNT/C1 ad is 5 mg/kg, with transient neurological symptoms emerging at sub-lethal doses. Given the low toxicity and highly specific neuron-targeting properties of BoNT/C1 ad, these data suggest that BoNT/C1 ad can be useful as a molecular vehicle for drug delivery to the neuronal cytoplasm.