gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Bistro (2000)

Hot spots are a major obstacle to achieving scalability in the Internet. At the application layer, hot spots are usually caused by either (a) high demand for some data or (b) high demand for a certain service. This high demand for data or services, is typically the result of a real-life event involving availability of new data or approaching deadlines; therefore, relief of these hot spots may improve quality of life. At the application layer, hot spot problems have traditionally been dealt with using some combination of (1) increasing capacity; (2) spreading the load over time, space, or both; and (3) changing the workload.We note that the classes of solutions stated above have been studied mostly in the context of applications using the following types of communication (a) one-to-many, (b) many-to-many, and (c) one-to-one. However, to the best of our knowledge there is no existing work on making applications using many-to-one communication scalable and efficient (existing solutions, such as web based submissions, simply use many independent one-to-one transfers). This corresponds to an important class of applications, whose examples include the various upload applications such as submission of income tax forms, conference paper submission, proposal submission through the NSF FastLane system, homework and project submissions in distance education, voting in digital democracy applications, voting in interactive television, and many more. Consequently, the main focus of this paper is scalable infrastructure design for relief of hot spots in wide-area upload applications .The main contributions of this paper are as follows. We state (a) a new problem, specifically, the many-to-one communication, or upload, problem as well as (b) the (currently) fundamental obstacles to building scalable wide-area upload applications. We also propose a general framework, which we term the Bistro system, for a class of solutions to the upload problem. In addition, we suggest a number of open research problems, within this framework, throughout the paper.
Sorted Deferred Shading for Production Path Tracing (2013)

Abstract Ray‐traced global illumination (GI) is becoming widespread in production rendering but incoherent secondary ray traversal limits practical rendering to scenes that fit in memory. Incoherent shading also leads to intractable performance with production‐scale textures forcing renderers to resort to caching of irradiance, radiosity, and other values to amortize expensive shading. Unfortunately, such caching strategies complicate artist workflow, are difficult to parallelize effectively, and contend for precious memory. Worse, these caches involve approximations that compromise quality. In this paper, we introduce a novel path‐tracing framework that avoids these tradeoffs. We sort large, potentially out‐of‐core ray batches to ensure coherence of ray traversal. We then defer shading of ray hits until we have sorted them, achieving perfectly coherent shading and avoiding the need for shading caches.
Bending-Independent Imaging through Glass-Air Disordered Fiber Based on Deep Learning (2018)

We demonstrate a bending-independent imaging system for the first time by combining deep neural networks (DNNs) and a meter-long silica-air disordered optical fiber. High-quality artifact-free images can be reconstructed from the transported raw images.
ROS constitute a convergence nexus in the development of IGF1 resistance and impaired wound healing in a rat model of type 2 diabetes (2012)

An indolent non-healing wound and insulin and/or insulin-like growth factor (IGF1) resistance are cardinal features of diabetes, inflammation and hypercortisolemia. Little is known about why these phenomena occur in so many contexts. Do the various triggers that induce insulin and/or IGF1 resistance and retard wound healing act through a common mechanism? Cultured dermal fibroblasts from rats and full-thickness excisional wounds were used as models to test the premise that reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a causal role in the development of IGF1 resistance and impaired wound healing under different but pathophysiologically relevant clinical settings, including diabetes, dexamethasone-induced hypercortisolemia and TNFα-induced inflammation. In normal fibroblasts, IGF1 initiated a strong degree of phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1) (Tyr612) and Akt (Ser473), concomitantly with increased PI3K activity. This phenomenon seemed to be attenuated in fibroblasts that had phenotypic features of diabetes, inflammation or hypercortisolemia. Notably, these cells also exhibited an increase in the activity of the ROS–phospho-JNK (p-JNK)–p-IRS1 (Ser307) axis. The above-mentioned defects were reflected functionally by attenuation in IGF1-dependent stimulation of key fibroblast functions, including collagen synthesis and cell proliferation, migration and contraction. The effects of IGF1 on glucose disposal and cutaneous wound healing were also impaired in diabetic or hypercortisolemic rats. The ROS suppressors EUK-134 and α-lipoic acid, or small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated silencing of JNK expression, restored IGF1 sensitivity both in vitro and in vivo, and also ameliorated the impairment in IGF1-mediated wound responses during diabetes, inflammation and hypercortisolemia. Our data advance the notion that ROS constitute a convergence nexus for the development of IGF1 resistance and impaired wound healing under different but pathophysiologically relevant clinical settings, with a proof of concept for the beneficial effect of ROS suppressors.
SLIC: Short-length iris codes (2009)

The texture in a human iris has been shown to have good individual distinctiveness and thus is suitable for use in reliable identification. A conventional iris recognition system unwraps the iris image and generates a binary feature vector by quantizing the response of selected filters applied to the rows of this image. Typically there are 360 angular sectors, 64 radial rings, and 2 filter responses. This produces a full-length iris code (FLIC) of about 5760 bytes. In contrast, this paper seeks to shrink the representation by finding those regions of the iris that contain the most descriptive potential. We show through experiments that the regions close to the pupil and sclera contribute least to discrimination, and that there is a high correlation between adjacent radial rings. Using these observations we produce a short-length iris code (SLIC) of only 450 bytes. The SLIC is an order of magnitude smaller the FLIC and yet has comparable performance as shown by results on the MMU2 database. The smaller sized representation has the advantage of being easier to store as a barcode, and also reduces the matching time per pair.
Graphene mode-locked Cr:ZnS chirped-pulse oscillator (2014)

We report the first to our knowledge high-energy graphene mode-locked solid-state laser operating in the positive dispersion regime. Pulses with 15.5 nJ energy and 42 nm spectral bandwidth with 0.87 ps duration were obtained at 2.4 μm wavelength. The output can be compressed down to 189 fs. The graphene absorber damage threshold was established at fluence approaching 1 mJ/cm².
The microminiature thermionic converter (2001)

A new generation of thermionic converter, the microminiature thermionic converter (MTC) has been fabrication using semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) fabrication methods and micromachining manufacturing (MM) techniques. The use of IC and MM techniques allows the fabrication of MTCs with micron scale cathode to anode spacing and with anode and cathode materials which will have work functions ranging from 1 eV to 2.5 eV. The use of small cathode to anode spacing and variable electrode work functions gives the MTC the potential to convert heat energy to relatively large current densities (up to 10s of Amps/cm2) at relatively high conversion efficiencies (∼25%), well within the range of high end conventional electrical generation equipment. Tests of prototype MTCs have demonstrated energy conversion at several emitter and collector temperatures. Power generated by the prototype MTC is less than expected because of less than optimal emission characteristics encountered with the low work function materials used for the first MTC prototypes. Work is in progress to improve the thermionic emission characteristics of the low work function electrodes.
Insulin Response to Glucose Is Lower in Individuals Homozygous for the Arg 64 Variant of the β-3-Adrenergic Receptor<sup>1</sup> (2000)

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (type 2 DM) is a polygenic disorder with a variable phenotype that includes both insulin resistance and insulin secretory dysfunction. The Arg 64 beta-3-adrenergic receptor variant allele is associated with an earlier age of onset of type 2 DM. The purpose of this study was to examine the in vivo pathophysiology of this variant allele to determine its contribution to the components of glucose metabolism. We used the frequently sampled iv glucose tolerance tests, minimal model analysis, and analysis of covariance to examine age- and fat-mass-adjusted differences among genotypes. The results demonstrate that individuals homozygous for the Arg 64 allele secrete significantly less insulin in response to a glucose infusion (562+/-116 vs. 962+/-94 pmol/microL), have the highest fasting glucose levels (100.4+/-1.9 vs. 92.48+/-1.60 mg/dL), and have lower glucose effectiveness (0.014+/-0.003 vs. 0.019+/-0.002 min(-1)), compared with those homozygous for the Trp 64 allele. This first report of decreased acute insulin release and lower glucose effectiveness in the Arg 64 genotype may help explain the earlier onset of type 2 DM observed in several populations of individuals with the Arg64 beta-3-adrenergic receptor variant allele.
Novel pyrazole- and thiazole-substituted quinazolines as potent aurora kinase inhibitors. (2006)

5712 The Aurora proteins are a family of serine-threonine kinases that have been shown to play critical roles in coordinating cell progression through mitosis by controlling chromosome segregation and cytokinesis. The irregular expression of Aurora A and B kinases have been implicated in tumor progression; therefore inhibitors of these proteins may have significant utility in the treatment of cancer. As part of a programme to identify small molecule inhibitors of Aurora kinases for clinical evaluation we have developed a series of thiazole- and pyrazole-substituted quinazolines which are potent and specific Aurora Kinase inhibitors. Both series of compounds share many similarities in terms of structure-activity relationships (SAR) and compounds of both types have shown inhibition of phosphorylation of histone H3 when dosed to rodents via mini-pumps. The structure activity relationships within these novel series will be discussed alongside an overview of the compounds’ physical properties and pharmacokinetics which has allowed the selection of a first clinical candidate drug, AZD1152. The pyrazole acetanilide and quinazoline C-6 and C-7 substituents were found to be critical to obtain high levels of cellular potency and in the optimisation of physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties. For many of the compounds of interest, it was possible to synthesise phosphate derivbatives which allowed profiling of the leading compounds using mini-pump dosing. In human cancer xenograft models grown in immunocompromised rodents, AZD1152 causes pharmacodynamic changes that result in durable anti-tumor growth inhibition at well-tolerated doses. AZD1152 has the potential for activity in a wide range of human tumors and is currently in Phase I clinical trials.
Abstract 480: Molecular mechanism of action of photoimmunotherapy with antibody-IR700 dye conjugates (2020)

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Cancer cell-targeted photoimmunotherapy (PIT) is a platform technology under development for the treatment of various cancers. PIT is a drug and device combination that utilizes an antibody conjugated to the IR700 (IRDye 700DX®) light-excitable dye, which upon antigen binding and illumination with non-thermal red light, leads to necrotic cell death. The objective of these studies was to characterize the molecular pharmacology and the underlying mechanism of action of PIT. METHODS: In vitro PIT studies using human and mouse cancer cells were performed to evaluate conjugate (antibody + dye) binding, dose response and light dosimetry response. Mouse xenograft experiments assessed necrotic markers in tumor tissue and surrounding normal tissue post-PIT treatment. Oxidative damage to lipids was detected with a reporter dye. Mass spectrometry analysis was performed to assess protein oxidation, crosslinking and axial ligand dissociation from the dye. RESULTS: Binding of the conjugate to the target cancer cells was required for PIT treatment to induce cell death as measured by antibody competition studies, however, internalization of the conjugate was not required for cytotoxic effects. Administration of non-thermal red light to the target cells bound with the conjugate led to morphologic changes and membrane disruption within minutes, and necrotic cell death was observed in a conjugate- and light-dose dependent manner. Requirement of conjugate binding to the cancer antigen provided high level of tumor specificity as demonstrated by lack of damage to normal surrounding tissue after PIT treatment. Light excitation of the conjugate generated 1O2 with high quantum yield. In vitro PIT treatment led to cell membrane lipid peroxidation, mediated by 1O2 as shown by abrogation with sodium azide, a selective 1O2 quencher. In addition, protein oxidation, cross-linking and aggregation of the conjugate was observed. In low oxygen concentrations and in the presence of ascorbate, photo-induced dissociation of axial ligands from the dye was detected. CONCLUSIONS: These studies suggest the molecular mechanism of action of PIT includes generation of 1O2 that leads to lipid peroxidation and cell membrane disruption. Additional mechanisms may include protein oxidation and non-oxygen dependent mechanisms such as axial ligand loss of the IR700 dye. These results describe a biophysical process that damages and disrupts the cell membrane integrity resulting in necrotic cell death and immunogenic cell death. Citation Format: Roger Heim, Lew Makings, Torsten Wiemann, Anthony Manibusan, Miguel Garcia-Guzman. Molecular mechanism of action of photoimmunotherapy with antibody-IR700 dye conjugates [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 480.
Autofluorescence imaging of macular pigment: influence and correction of ocular media opacities (2014)

The healthy adult human retina contains in its macular region a high concentration of blue-light absorbing carotenoid compounds, known as macular pigment (MP). Consisting of the carotenoids lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin, the MP is thought to shield the vulnerable tissue layers in the retina from lightinduced damage through its function as an optical attenuator and to protect the tissue cells within its immediate vicinity through its function as a potent antioxidant. Autofluorescence imaging (AFI) is emerging as a viable optical method for MP screening of large subject populations, for tracking of MP changes over time, and for monitoring MP uptake in response to dietary supplementation. To investigate the influence of ocular media opacities on AFI-based MP measurements, in particular, the influence of lens cataracts, we conducted a clinical trial with a large subject population (93 subjects) measured before and after cataract surgery. General AFI image contrast, retinal blood vessel contrast, and presurgery lens opacity scores [Lens Opacities Classification System III (LOCS III)] were investigated as potential predictors for image degradation. These clinical results show that lens cataracts can severely degrade the achievable pixel contrasts in the AFI images, which results in nominal MP optical density levels that are artifactually reduced. While LOCS III scores and blood vessel contrast are found to be only a weak predictor for this effect, a strong correlation exists between the reduction factor and the image contrast, which can be quantified via pixel intensity histogram parameters. Choosing the base width of the histogram, the presence or absence of ocular media opacities can be determined and, if needed, the nominal MP levels can be corrected with factors depending on the strength of the opacity.
Characterization of laser-driven shock waves in solids using a fiber optic pressure probe (2013)

Measurement of laser-driven shock wave pressure in solid blocks of polymethyl methacrylate is demonstrated using fiber optic pressure probes. Three probes based on a fiber Fabry-Perot, fiber Bragg grating, and interferometric fiber tip sensor are tested and compared. Shock waves are generated using a high-power laser focused onto a thin foil target placed in close proximity to the test blocks. The fiber Fabry-Perot sensor appears capable of resolving the shock front with a rise time of 91 ns. The peak pressure is estimated, using a separate shadowgraphy measurement, to be 3.4 GPa.
Finding similar users using category-based location history (2010)

In this paper, we aim to estimate the similarity between users according to their GPS trajectories. Our approach first models a user's GPS trajectories with a semantic location history (SLH), e.g., shopping malls → restaurants → cinemas. Then, we measure the similarity between different users' SLHs by using our maximal travel match (MTM) algorithm. The advantage of our approach lies in two aspects. First, SLH carries more semantic meanings of a user's interests beyond low-level geographic positions. Second, our approach can estimate the similarity between two users without overlaps in the geographic spaces, e.g., people living in different cities. We evaluate our method based on a real-world GPS dataset collected by 109 users in a period of 1 year. As a result, SLH-MTM outperforms the related works [4].
Organic thin-film transistors with poly(methyl silsesquioxane) modified dielectric interfaces (2006)

Poly(methyl silsesquioxane) modification of SiO2 gate dielectric surface leads to significantly improved performance of polythiophene-based organic thin-film transistors. The beneficial effects of this surface modification on transistor performance are often significantly greater than those of other silane self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). This polymer modification approach can also be applied to solution-processed dielectric surfaces where the growth of silane SAMs is difficult, thus enabling fabrication of flexible organic thin-film transistor circuits on plastic substrates.
Targeting the tick-pathogen interface for novel control strategies (2008)

Ticks are ectoparasites of wild and domestic animals and humans that most notably impact global health by transmitting disease-causing pathogens. While information on the molecular interactions between ticks and pathogens that facilitate pathogen infection, development and transmission is limited, a comprehensive understanding of the tick-pathogen interface would be fundamental toward development of new and novel measures for control of both tick infestations and tick-borne pathogens. Recently, vaccine studies using key tick antigens and characterization of tick gene function by RNA interference (RNAi) have provided new information on genes that impact the tick-pathogen interface. In this review we summarize current research and prospects of tick vaccines and genetic manipulation of ticks targeted to the tick-pathogen interface. The knowledge gained from these collective studies will be fundamental toward understanding of tick-pathogen interactions and for formulation of control methods targeted at both ticks and tick-borne pathogens. Use of these molecular approaches will likely contribute to control measures that will notably reduce tick populations and tick-borne diseases in the future.
Design and Synthetic Considerations of Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors (1999)

Experimental evidence confirms that the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play a fundamental role in a wide variety of pathologic conditions that involve connective tissue destruction including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, tumor metastasis and angiogenesis, corneal ulceration, multiple sclerosis, periodontal disease, and atherosclerosis. Modulation of MMP regulation is possible at several biochemical sites, but direct inhibition of enzyme action provides a particularly attractive target for therapeutic intervention. Hypotheses concerning inhibition of specific MMP(s) with respect to disease target and/or side-effect profile have emerged. Examples are presented of recent advances in medicinal chemistry approaches to the design of matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors (MMPIs), approaches that address structural requirements and that influence potency, selectivity, and bioavailability. Two important approaches to the design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of MMPIs are highlighted: (1) the invention of alternatives to hydroxamic acid zinc chelators and (2) the construction of nonpeptide scaffolds. One current example in each of these two approaches from our own work is described.
A novel process for methanol synthesis. Progress report, March 1, 1993--May 31, 1993 (1993)

A bench-scale reactor is being used to conduct studies of the conversion of synthesis gas to methanol (MeOH) in the liquid phase by a novel process. In previous reports, we provided evidence for a two step reaction in series, the carbonylation reaction mainly taking place close to the copper chromite surface, and the hydrogenolysis reaction taking place on the surface of the copper chromite. The interaction between the two catalysts enhances the rate of MeOH formation. We have previously shown that, under present operating conditions, the methyl formate (MeF) concentration is not in equilibrium. The presence of H{sub 2}O results in a drop in the rate of MeF generation by the carbonylation reaction. In this quarter work has continued on the effect of water on the reaction.
A model of ceramic membrane fouling during heavy oil ultrafiltration (1997)

Abstract Fouling of asymmetric, single tube ceramic membranes during ultrafiltration of Cold Lake heavy oil, is described by a pore restriction fouling model that predicts reduced permeate flux but increased asphaltene rejection with increased time‐on‐stream. Application of the model to experimental data showed that a 2nd‐order rate of asphaltene adsorption/deposition within the membrane pores, described the data better than a 1st‐order model. The asphaltene molecular radius, estimated as a parameter of the model, was in the range 3.8 ‐ 14.2 nm, depending on the membrane pore diameter. These values are in good agreement with previously published estimates of asphaltene particle size, determined using different experimental techniques.
A simple method for evaluating Cryptosporidium-specific antibodies used in monitoring environmental water samples (1997)

A simple method is described for the evaluation and quality control of Cryptosporidium-specific antibodies used in monitoring environmental water samples. Purified oocysts were fluorescently labelled with a test antibody at the appropriate concentration. Labelled oocysts were analysed using flow cytometry and a region was defined on a bivariate dotplot of fluorescence versus light scatter that enclosed all oocysts. Concentrates of environmental water samples that did not contain oocysts were then incubated with the test antibody and analysed using flow cytometry. The number of particles that appeared in the region defined for oocysts was recorded and was a measure of non-specific binding. The technique provides a simple, rapid and quantitative tool for both evaluating the binding specificity of test antibodies and optimizing sample staining conditions.