gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
A new low-complexity relay selection scheme based on switch-and-examine diversity combining for dual-hop relay networks (2012)

In this paper, we present a new low-complexity relay selection scheme for channel-state information (CSI)-assisted dual-hop amplify-and-forward (AF) cooperative networks. The scheme is mainly based on the switch-and-examine (SEC) diversity combining technique where a relay out of multiple relays is only used to forward the source signal to destination. The selection process is performed based on a predetermined switching threshold. In analyzing the scheme performance, a lower bound on end-to-end (e2e) SNR is first used. Then, the probability density function (PDF) and the cumulative distribution function (CDF) are derived in a Rayleigh fading environment. After that, accurate approximations for both the outage probability and the bit error rate (BER) are evaluated. The maximal-ratio combining (MRC) is used at the destination to combine the signal on the relay path with that on the direct link. The Monte Carlo simulations show the validity of the analytical results and the tightness of the used bound, specially, at the high SNR values. Finally, we provide some numerical results to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme in reducing the system complexity and to verify the effect of other system parameters as the switching threshold and the number of relays on system behavior.
Targeting multiple cannabinoid anti‐tumour pathways with a resorcinol derivative leads to inhibition of advanced stages of breast cancer (2014)

O-1663 prolonged survival in advanced stages of breast cancer metastasis. Developing compounds that can simultaneously target multiple cannabinoid anti-tumour pathways efficiently may provide a novel approach for the treatment of patients with metastatic breast cancer.
Video content identification using the Viterbi algorithm (2012)

We propose a video content identification that uses the Viterbi algorithm for identifying unknown video content from a database of reference content. Both the source video in the database and exact frame index therein of each query frame are determined by our method. The Viterbi algorithm is effective for enforcing temporal consistency over frame-level hypotheses based on matching frame fingerprints. We have introduced an “unknown” state in the Viterbi state model to handle both missed detections and non-existent matches. Another novelty of our approach is the use of frame time stamps for computing transition probabilities between frames. This makes our method capable of handling even extreme frame rate changes between query and reference videos. We have provided experimental results demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed method. This approach may conceivably be used for audio content identification as well.
Ferroelectric VDF/TrFE/CTFE terpolymers: synthesis and electric properties (2001)

This paper discusses a new ferroelectric polymer with high dielectric constant (>50 at 1K-1M Hz) and large electrostrictive response (~5%) at ambient temperature, which is based on a processable semicrystalline terpolymer comprising vinylidene difluoride (VDF), trifluoroethylene (TrFE), and chlorotrifluoroethylene (CTFE). This VDF/TrFE/CTFE terpolymer was prepared by a combination of a borane/oxygen initiator and bulk polymerization process at ambient temperature. The control of monomer addition afforts the terpolymers with high molecular weight and relatively narrow molecular weight and composition distributions. The incorporated bulky CTFE units homogeneously distributed along the polymer chain seem to reduce the thickness of ferroelectric crystalline domains without destroying the overall crystallinity. This nano-size semicrystalline morphology results in the reduction of ferroelectric-paraelectric (F-P) phase transition to near ambient temperature with a very small energy barrier. Some terpolymers exhibited common ferroelectric relaxor behaviors with a broad dielectric peak that shifted toward higher temperatures as the frequency increased, and a slim polarization hysteresis loop at near the dielectric peak (around ambient temperature) that gradually evolved into a normal ferroelectric polarization hysteresis loop with reduced temperature.
Method for using visible ocular vasculature for mobile biometrics (2015)

Securing personal information on handheld devices, especially smartphones, has gained a significant interest in recent years. Yet, most of the popular biometric modalities require additional hardware. To overcome this difficulty, the authors propose utilising the existing visible light cameras in mobile devices. Leveraging visible vascular patterns on whites of the eye, they develop a method for biometric authentication suitable for smartphones. They start their process by imaging and segmenting whites of the eyes, followed by image quality assessment. The authors’ stage 1 matcher is a three‐step process that entails extracting interest points [Harris–Stephens, features from accelerated segment test, and speeded up robust features (SURF)], building features (SURF and fast retina keypoint) around those points, and match score generation using random sample consensus‐based registration. Stage 2 matcher uses registered Gabor phase filtered images to generate orientation of local binary pattern features for its correlation‐based match metric. A fusion of stage 1 and stage 2 match scores is calculated for the final decision. Using a dataset of 226 users, the authors’ results show equal error rates as low as 0.04% for long‐term verification tests. The success of their framework is further validated on UBIRIS v1 database.
Safe Reinforcement Learning on Autonomous Vehicles (2019)

There have been numerous advances in reinforcement learning, but the typically unconstrained exploration of the learning process prevents the adoption of these methods in many safety critical applications. Recent work in safe reinforcement learning uses idealized models to achieve their guarantees, but these models do not easily accommodate the stochasticity or high-dimensionality of real world systems. We investigate how prediction provides a general and intuitive framework to constraint exploration, and show how it can be used to safely learn intersection handling behaviors on an autonomous vehicle.
Fast, three‐dimensional free‐breathing MR imaging of myocardial infarction: A feasibility study (2004)

Imaging delayed hyperenhancement of myocardial infarction is most commonly performed using an inversion recovery (IR) prepared 2D breathhold segmented k-space gradient echo (FGRE) sequence. Since only one slice is acquired per breathhold in this technique, 12-16 successive breathholds are required for complete anatomical coverage of the heart. This prolongs the overall scan time and may be exhausting for patients. A navigator-echo gated, free-breathing, 3D FGRE sequence is proposed that can be used to acquire a single slab covering the entire heart with high spatial resolution. The use of a new variable sampling in time (VAST) acquisition scheme enables the entire 3D volume to be acquired in 1.5-2 min, minimizing artifacts from bulk motion and diaphragmatic drift and contrast variations due to contrast media washout.
253. Expanded Packaging Capacity of AAV by Lumenal Charge Alteration (2016)

Adeno-associated virus (AAV) is widely believed to be the safest viral vector for gene therapy. Moreover, the array of AAV serotypes available allows transduction of different tissues in vivo. However, one major limitation of AAV is the relatively small DNA packaging size (4,700 nt). Existing serotypes have been over-packaged with limited success and varying reproducibility. The consensus appears to be that AAV can be over packaged by ~10%, but with a concomitant reduction in both viral titers and in vivo transduction. We have taken a novel approach to increase the packaging limitations of AAV by focusing on the lumen of AAV where vector DNA interacts with the capsid. We have created a series of AAV capsid variants that alter the capsid lumenal charge using AAV-DJ as the scaffold. The variants add positively charged lysine and arginine residues at lumenally exposed sites within the capsid that, we believe, may allow for interaction and condensation of vector DNA increasing the packaging capacity and/or stabilizing the capsid in an over-packaged state. We present in vitro characterization of the library of capsid variants and demonstrate that variants with intermediate charge (+4 to +7 over wildtype) can be produced at high titer when over-packaged up to 6.2 kb. In addition, these variants can transduce HEK293 cells with a 5.6 kb length vector better than wildtype. Finally, these variants can completely encapsidate at least a 5.4 kb vector by alkaline Southern blot. To validate that these new vectors are functional, we establish that a subset of these vectors are still able to transduce mouse liver in vivo. We are currently establishing the relative transduction efficiencies using standard length and expanded genome sizes in order to establish the maximal DNA length that can be functionally packaged by these new vectors. We believe our capsid alteration strategy can be extrapolated to other serotypes with distinct tissue tropism and applied in vivo to treat hemophilia A and other monogenic disorders suitable to replacement therapy.
NONINVASIVE MEASUREMENT OF BLADDER PRESSURE BY CONTROLLED INFLATION OF A PENILE CUFF (2002)

A noninvasive test providing reliable objective quantification of bladder pressure during the voiding cycle would make an important contribution to the management of lower urinary tract symptoms. We developed a new noninvasive test to measure bladder pressure in males based on controlled inflation of a penile cuff during voiding. We compared the new technique with simultaneous invasive bladder pressure measurement.We evaluated 7 volunteers and 32 patients. A conventional pressure flow study was performed first. The bladder was refilled, a penile cuff was fitted and after voiding commenced the cuff was inflated in steps of 10 cm. water every 0.75 seconds until urine flow was interrupted. The cuff was rapidly deflated, allowing flow to resume, and the cycle was repeated until the end of voiding. The flow rate was graphed against cuff pressure for each interruption cycle to determine the pressure at which flow was interrupted. This pressure was compared with simultaneous invasive isovolumetric bladder pressure.Invasive and noninvasive pressure measurements agreed well. Average cuff pressure at interruption of flow exceeded mean simultaneous isovolumetric bladder pressure plus or minus standard deviation by 14.5 +/- 14.0 cm. water.The new method provides noninvasive quantitative information on voiding bladder pressure in males. Further study is required to assess whether the technique can contribute to the management of lower urinary tract symptoms.
Loose-Ordering Consistency for persistent memory (2014)

Emerging non-volatile memory (NVM) technologies enable data persistence at the main memory level at access speeds close to DRAM. In such persistent memories, memory writes need to be performed in strict order to satisfy storage consistency requirements and enable correct recovery from system crashes. Unfortunately, adhering to a strict order for writes to persistent memory significantly degrades system performance as it requires flushing dirty data blocks from CPU caches and waiting for their completion at the main memory in the order specified by the program. This paper introduces a new mechanism, called Loose-Ordering Consistency (LOC), that satisfies the ordering requirements of persistent memory writes at significantly lower performance degradation than state-of-the-art mechanisms. LOC consists of two key techniques. First, Eager Commit reduces the commit overhead for writes within a transaction by eliminating the need to perform a persistent commit record write at the end of a transaction. We do so by ensuring that we can determine the status of all committed transactions during recovery by storing necessary metadata information statically with blocks of data written to memory. Second, Speculative Persistence relaxes the ordering of writes between transactions by allowing writes to be speculatively written to persistent memory. A speculative write is made visible to software only after its associated transaction commits. To enable this, our mechanism requires the tracking of committed transaction ID and support for multi-versioning in the CPU cache. Our evaluations show that LOC reduces the average performance overhead of strict write ordering from 66.9% to 34.9% on a variety of workloads.
Cost-based optimization for magic (1996)

Magic sets rewriting is a well-known optimization heuristic for complex decision-support queries. There can be many variants of this rewriting even for a single query, which differ greatly in execution performance. We propose cost-based techniques for selecting an efficient variant from the many choices.Our first contribution is a practical scheme that models magic sets rewriting as a special join method that can be added to any cost-based query optimizer. We derive cost formulas that allow an optimizer to choose the best variant of the rewriting and to decide whether it is beneficial. The order of complexity of the optimization process is preserved by limiting the search space in a reasonable manner. We have implemented this technique in IBM's DB2 C/S V2 database system. Our performance measurements demonstrate that the cost-based magic optimization technique performs well, and that without it, several poor decisions could be made.Our second contribution is a formal algebraic model of magic sets rewriting, based on an extension of the multiset relational algebra, which cleanly defines the search space and can be used in a rule-based optimizer. We introduce the multiset θ-semijoin operator, and derive equivalence rules involving this operator. We demonstrate that magic sets rewriting for non-recursive SQL queries can be modeled as a sequential composition of these equivalence rules.
Mercury Removal from Water Using a Novel Composite of Polyacrylate-Modified Carbon (2022)

The contamination of groundwater by mercury (Hg) is a serious global threat, and its removal is of great importance. Activated carbon (AC) is considered a very promising adsorbent to remove Hg from water systems. However, specific functional groups can be added to AC to enhance its adsorption efficiency. In this work, AC was synthesized from palm shells and grafted with a copolymer of acrylamide and methacrylic acid to produce a polyacrylate-modified carbon (PAMC) composite. The synthesized adsorbent (PAMC) was characterized by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis. PAMC was then evaluated for Hg removal from aqueous solutions, and the adsorption efficiency was optimized under several parameters (pH, contact time, and PAMC dosage). Kinetic, isotherm, and thermodynamic investigations were performed to gain a further understanding of the adsorption properties. The adsorption data were best fitted by pseudo-second-order and Redlich-Peterson models. Also, the thermodynamic investigation confirmed the spontaneity and the endothermic nature of the Hg adsorption process over PAMC. The maximum adsorption capacity (<i>q</i> <sub>m</sub>) of PAMC was found to be 76.3 mg/g ,which is relatively higher than some activated carbon-based adsorbents. Therefore, PAMC offers a potential promise for wastewater treatment due to its fast and high uptake removal capacity in addition to the cheap and environmentally friendly activated carbon source.
SYNTHETIC AND BIOLOGICAL STUDIES ON ANALOGUES OF FR901464 AND TMC-205 (2012)

FR901464 is a natural product that elicits anticancer activity via inhibition of pre-mRNA splicing, a novel therapeutic approach. Through structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies on FR901464, the Koide group reported a potent stable synthetic analogue of FR901464, meayamycin B (GI50 4 – 211 pM). An objective of this thesis was to probe electrophilic sites of meayamycin B through SAR anaylsis. This studies in this thesis provided insights into the effects of cis-C2´-C3´ enamide and epoxide moieties. A newly synthesized inhibitor, in which the epoxide was replaced with a ketone, exhibited elevated inhibition against cellular proliferation. Cell growth assays illustrated that this analogue inhibited the proliferation of cells in an irreversible manner. Addtionally, an in vivo study led to the development of meayamycin C which, although less potent than meayamycin and meayamycin B, exhibited single digit nanomolar GI50 values and selectivity to inhibit the proliferation of certain human cancer cells. Continuing with the design of pre-mRNA splicing inhibition tools, we also report the preparation and evaluation of two tetraethylene-linked derivatives of meayamycin. These two derivatives inhibited the proliferation of human cell lines and pre-mRNA splicing in cells. Structurally, one of the derivatives is far less complex than tetraethylene glycol-linked meayamycin, though still retained sufficient inhibitory activity towards cell proliferation and pre-mRNA splicing. These two compounds have the potential serve as starting points for conjugatable FR901464 analogues. Furthermore, a new synthetic route for meayamycin is described. The new route consists of 8 steps to prepare the western fragment, followed by a final cross metathesis interchange strategy between the right half and FR901464 to yield meayamycin. This is the shortest synthetic approach to prepare meayamycin. Finally, a study was begun on TMC-205, which was discovered in 2001 in a similar manner to FR901464. The work in this dissertation reports the first synthesis of TMC-205 and developed analogues, including alcohol 3.21, an eight-fold more potent analogue of TMC-205. Importantly, there is a range of TMC-205 and analogue 3.13 concentrations where the compounds activate an SV40-controlled gene without detectable antiproliferative activity.
Coal cutting research slashes dust (1983)

The Coal-Cutting Technology Group at the Bureau of Mine's Twin Cities Research Center is investigating ways to reduce primary dust generated by coal cutting. The progression of research within the program is from fundamental laboratory research, to fundamental field research, to field concept verification. Then the Bureau recommends warranted changes and/or prototype development to industry. Currently the Cutting Technology Group has several projects in each phase of research. The Bureau's current fundamental studies of bit characteristics are directed to determining the effects of conical bit wear on primary respirable dust generation, energy, and cutting forces; establishing best conical bit mount condition to increase life by enhancing bit rotation; and comparing chisel-type cutters to conical-type cutters. Additionally, to establish a suitable homogeneous reference material for cutting experiments, a synthetic coal with a plaster base is being developed.
Tailored magnetic nanoparticles for optimizing magnetic fluid hyperthermia (2011)

Magnetic Fluid Hyperthermia (MFH) is a promising approach towards adjuvant cancer therapy that is based on the localized heating of tumors using the relaxation losses of iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) in alternating magnetic fields (AMF). In this study, we demonstrate optimization of MFH by tailoring MNP size to an applied AMF frequency. Unlike conventional aqueous synthesis routes, we use organic synthesis routes that offer precise control over MNP size (diameter ∼10 to 25 nm), size distribution, and phase purity. Furthermore, the particles are successfully transferred to the aqueous phase using a biocompatible amphiphilic polymer, and demonstrate long-term shelf life. A rigorous characterization protocol ensures that the water-stable MNPs meet all the critical requirements: (1) uniform shape and monodispersity, (2) phase purity, (3) stable magnetic properties approaching that of the bulk, (4) colloidal stability, (5) substantial shelf life, and (6) pose no significant in vitro toxicity. Using a dedicated hyperthermia system, we then identified that 16 nm monodisperse MNPs (σ-0.175) respond optimally to our chosen AMF conditions (f = 373 kHz, H₀ = 14 kA/m); however, with a broader size distribution (σ-0.284) the Specific Loss Power (SLP) decreases by 30%. Finally, we show that these tailored MNPs demonstrate maximum hyperthermia efficiency by reducing viability of Jurkat cells in vitro, suggesting our optimization translates truthfully to cell populations. In summary, we present a way to intrinsically optimize MFH by tailoring the MNPs to any applied AMF, a required precursor to optimize dose and time of treatment.
TWO TWO-COMPONENT SEX ATTRACTANT BLENDS FOR ADULT MALES OF THE STRIPED CUTWORM, <i>EUXOA TESSELLATA</i> (LEPIDOPTERA: NOCTUIDAE) (1982)

Abstract Male moths of striped cutworm, Euxoa tessellata (Harris), were specifically attracted to blends of Z -5-tetradecenyl acetate or Z -5-hexadecenyl acetate with Z -7-hexadecenyl acetate. The most satisfactory quantities of these components per septum dispenser were: Z -5-tetradecenyl and Z -7-hexadecenyl acetates at 2.5 and 500 μg, or Z -5-hexadecenyl and Z -7-hexadecenyl acetates each at 500 μg. The addition of 1.0% Z -7-hexadecenol relative to Z -7-hexadecenyl acetate in either of these blends inhibited the attraction of males. The blend involving Z -5-tetradecenyl acetate is recommended for monitoring purposes.
Identification of a Sialate O-Acetyltransferase from Campylobacter jejuni (2006)

We have identified a sialate O-acetyltransferase in the lipo-oligosaccharide biosynthesis locus of Campylobacter jejuni. Strains possessing this locus are known to produce sialylated outer core structures that mimic host gangliosides, and have been implicated in triggering the onset of Guillain-Barré syndrome. The acetyltransferase, which was cloned and expressed as a fusion construct in Escherichia coli, is soluble and homologous with members of the NodL-LacA-CysE family of O-acetyltransferases. This enzyme catalyzes the transfer of O-acetyl groups onto oligosaccharide-bound sialic acid, with a high specificity for terminal alpha2,8-linked residues. The modification is directed to C-9 and not C-7 as is believed to occur more commonly in other organisms. Despite their wide prevalence and importance in both eukaryotes and prokaryotes, this is the first report to describe the characterization of a purified sialate O-acetyltransferase.
A Data-Trained, Affine-Linear Intra-Picture Prediction in the Frequency Domain (2019)

This paper presents a data-driven training of affine- linear predictors which perform intra-picture prediction for video coding. The trained predictors use a single line of reconstructed boundary samples as input like the conventional intra prediction modes. For large blocks, the presented predictors initially transform the input samples via Discrete Cosine Transform. This allows to omit high frequency coefficients and consequently reduce the input dimension. The output is the result of a single matrix-vector multiplication and offset addition. Here, the predictors only construct certain coefficients in the frequency domain. The final prediction signal is then obtained by inverse transform. The coefficients of the prediction modes need to be stored in advance, requiring 0.273 MB of memory. The training employs a recursive block partitioning, where the loss function targets to approximate the bit-rate of the DCT-transformed block residuals. The obtained predictors are incorporated into the Versatile Video Coding Test Model 4. The authors report All- Intra bit-rate savings ranging from 0.7% to 2.0% across different resolutions in terms of the Bjøntegaard-Delta bit rate (BD-rate).