gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Superstretchable, Self‐Healing Polymeric Elastomers with Tunable Properties (2018)

Abstract Utilization of self‐healing chemistry to develop synthetic polymer materials that can heal themselves with restored mechanical performance and functionality is of great interest. Self‐healable polymer elastomers with tunable mechanical properties are especially attractive for a variety of applications. Herein, a series of urea functionalized poly(dimethyl siloxane)‐based elastomers (U‐PDMS‐Es) are reported with extremely high stretchability, self‐healing mechanical properties, and recoverable gas‐separation performance. Tailoring the molecular weights of poly(dimethyl siloxane) or weight ratio of elastic cross‐linker offers tunable mechanical properties of the obtained U‐PDMS‐Es, such as ultimate elongation (from 984% to 5600%), Young's modulus, ultimate tensile strength, toughness, and elastic recovery. The U‐PDMS‐Es can serve as excellent acoustic and vibration damping materials over a broad range of temperature (over 100 °C). The strain‐dependent elastic recovery behavior of U‐PDMS‐Es is also studied. After mechanical damage, the U‐PDMS‐Es can be healed in 120 min at ambient temperature or in 20 min at 40 °C with completely restored mechanical performance. The U‐PDMS‐Es are also demonstrated to exhibit recoverable gas‐separation functionality with retained permeability/selectivity after being damaged.
SU‐GG‐I‐89: Automatic Segmentation of Risk Structures (2008)

Purpose: The clinical implementation of conformal radiotherapy IMRT has substantially increased the need for automated contouring tools. Implementation of image‐guided adaptive RT will further increase the need. The objective of this work is to develop and assess a fully automated method for delineating risk structures on the basis of statistical models and anatomical atlases. Method and Materials: Anatomical variability is modeled from a set of training images from multiple patients, where structures of interest were manually contoured by clinical experts, and salient anatomical landmarks were defined, e.g. the mastoid process. We use landmark correspondences and thin‐plate spline (TPS) approximation to map all training data into a common geometrical reference frame and generate a mean volumetric image and mean 3D surfaces; spatial variation and dependency of the landmarks is encoded in a statistical model and their local appearance is derived from the mean image. This model is then used to automatically find the positions of the landmarks in a new patient image. TPS is used to map the contours from the mean volume onto the new volume. Finally, the mapped contours are refined using a model‐based segmentation technique. Results: We evaluated our method for three anatomical regions: head‐neck, pelvis and thorax, on multiple clinical datasets accompanied with manually created contours. Quantitative results where collected for spatial accuracy, both for detection of the landmarks as well as for the final contours. For initialization the distance to ground‐truth was 8.9 ± 4.8 mm, contour distance was 3.5 ± 4.5 mm across all anatomies. Computation time was below 50 seconds in all cases. Conclusion: A fully automated segmentation method was developed and quantitatively evaluated for risk structures from CT images in the head‐neck, pelvis and thorax. Future work will increase consistency and efficiency for structures with poor image contrast.
<title>Degraded text recognition using word collocation</title> (1994)

A relaxation-based algorithm is proposed that improves the performance of a text recognition technique by propagating the influence of word collocation statistics. Word collocation refers to the likelihood that two words co-occur within a fixed distance of one another. For example, in a story about water transportation, it is highly likely that the word `river' will occur within ten words on either side of the word `boat.' The proposed algorithm receives groups of visually similar decisions (called neighborhoods) for words in a running text that are computed by a word recognition algorithm. The position of decisions within the neighborhoods are modified based on how often they co-occur with decisions in the neighborhoods of other nearby words. This process is iterated a number of times effectively propagating the influence of the collocation statistics across an input text. This improves on a strictly local analysis by allowing for strong collocations to reinforce weak (but related) collocations elsewhere. An experimental analysis is discussed in which the algorithm is applied to improving text recognition results that are less than 60% correct. The correct rate is effectively improved to 90% or better in all cases.
Prolonged activation of ASIC1a and the time window for neuroprotection in cerebral ischaemia (2006)

Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs), newly discovered members of epithelial Na+ channels/degenirin superfamily, are widely distributed throughout the mammalian peripheral and central nervous system and have been implicated in many physiological and pathophysiological processes. We have recently shown that activation of calcium-permeable ASIC1a is involved in acidosis-mediated, glutamate independent, ischaemic brain injury. In this study the neuroprotective time window for ASIC1a blockade in a mouse model of focal ischaemia is examined and the role of acidosis per se addressed by continuous pH measurements in penumbral cortex and post-ischaemic alkalization of brain. The effects of NMDA receptor blockade and ASIC1a blockade were compared. Specific ASIC1a blockade by the tarantula toxin psalmotoxin, PcTX, administered intracerebroventricularly as late as 5 h after 60 min of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) reduced infarct volume by >50%; the protection persisted for at least 7 days. Protection was also demonstrated after permanent MCAO. In penumbral cortex alkaline pH preceded acid pH and infarction. Attenuating brain acidosis by NaHCO3 or blocking ASIC1a with PcTX were both protective. NMDA blockade produced additive neuroprotection and the presence of PcTX prolonged the time window of effectiveness of NMDA blockade. Neuroprotection by PcTX was also achievable by intranasal administration. These findings further suggest that ASIC1a is a novel molecular target involved in ischaemic brain injury. Post-ischaemic administration of an ASIC1a blocker may prove to be an effective neuroprotective strategy for stroke patients.
Object Detection under Rainy Conditions for Autonomous Vehicles. (2020)

Advanced automotive active-safety systems, in general, and autonomous vehicles, in particular, rely heavily on visual data to classify and localize objects such as pedestrians, traffic signs and lights, and other nearby cars, to assist the corresponding vehicles maneuver safely in their environments. However, the performance of object detection methods could degrade rather significantly under challenging weather scenarios including rainy conditions. Despite major advancements in the development of deraining approaches, the impact of rain on object detection has largely been understudied, especially in the context of autonomous driving. The main objective of this paper is to present a tutorial on state-of-the-art and emerging techniques that represent leading candidates for mitigating the influence of rainy conditions on an autonomous vehicle's ability to detect objects. Our goal includes surveying and analyzing the performance of object detection methods trained and tested using visual data captured under clear and rainy conditions. Moreover, we survey and evaluate the efficacy and limitations of leading deraining approaches, deep-learning based domain adaptation, and image translation frameworks that are being considered for addressing the problem of object detection under rainy conditions. Experimental results of a variety of the surveyed techniques are presented as part of this tutorial.
Funneling aromatic products of chemically depolymerized lignin into 2-pyrone-4-6-dicarboxylic acid with<i>Novosphingobium aromaticivorans</i> (2019)

Lignin is an aromatic heteropolymer found in plant biomass.
Geometric and algebraic constraints of projected concentric circles and their applications to camera calibration (2005)

We investigate the projective properties of the feature consisting of two concentric circles. We demonstrate there exist geometric and algebraic constraints on its projection. We show how these constraints greatly simplify the recoveries of the affine and Euclidean structures of a 3D plane. As an application, we assess the performances of two camera calibration algorithms.
Unipolar switching of perpendicular mtj for STT-MRAM application (2015)

In this paper, new pMTJ that shows reliable unipolar switching, since the free layer has strong perpendicular anisotropy and well oriented perpendicular magnetization, same as in a typical pMTJ designed for STT-MRAM application, unipolar switching of pMTJ in a 1D-1MTJ architecture MRAM may be achieved for application in extreme densities . In this presentation, we will demonstrate the unipolar switching from these pMTJ devices and present our study of the physics process behind such intriguing behavior .
Improving the reliability of obtaining tumor hemodynamic parameters in the presence of contrast agent extravasation (2005)

A new approach to improve the reliability of dynamic susceptibility contrast MRI for the evaluation of brain tumor hemodynamics in the presence of contrast agent extravasation is described. This model-based technique simultaneously estimates the voxel-wise tumor residue function and the temporal extravascular T(1) changes following contrast agent leakage. With these estimates the model corrects the measured MRI signal, which is then used to calculate tumor hemodynamic parameters. The feasibility of this technique is demonstrated with computer simulations that cover a wide range of hemodynamic conditions and by application to eight tumor-bearing rats. The simulations demonstrate that the corrected hemodynamic parameters precisely matched the actual values with a maximum percentage error of 4.2% compared to 68.6% for the uncorrected parameters. The corrected parameters are also essentially independent of the tumor hemodynamic state and degree of contrast extravasation. Consistent with these improvements, significant differences between corrected and uncorrected parameters, calculated from a gradient-echo sequence, are shown in a rat 9L gliosarcoma model. This method combined with the hemodynamic parameters derived from GE and SE sequences shows promise as a new tool to evaluate tumor angiogenesis and its therapy.
All-reflective phased array imaging telescopes (1991)

The design for a telescope is presented which calls for small optical components in an all-reflective wide-field-of-view phased-array configuration. Attention is given to the geometric phasing conditions and other phasing requirements for the phased-array design, and analytical expressions are set forth for the paraxial relations and distortion. The design of the subtelescopes is based on a three-mirror design, and particular attention is given to the problem of subtelescope field curvature. It is shown that several configurations provide the required corrections for the field curvature and the stigmatic aberrations. Subtelescope aberrations such as coma can affect optical phasing, which indicates that a tolerance analysis conducted aberration-by-aberration is necessary for developing the all-reflective configuration.
Fluorescence Lifetime Spectroscopy in Cardioand Neuroimaging (2011)

This chapter contains sections titled: Introduction Fluorescence Lifetime Spectroscopy in Tissue Characterization Time-Resolved Fluorescence Spectroscopy: Instrumentation Time-Resolved Fluorescence Spectroscopy: Data Analysis Methods Atherosclerotic Plaque Primary Brain Tumors Concluding Remarks References
Extra-skeletal manifestations in mice affected by Clcn7-dependent autosomal dominant osteopetrosis type 2 clinical and therapeutic implications (2019)

Autosomal dominant osteopetrosis type 2 (ADO2) is a high-density brittle bone disease characterized by bone pain, multiple fractures and skeletal-related events, including nerve compression syndrome and hematological failure. We demonstrated that in mice carrying the heterozygous <i>Clcn7</i> <sup><i>G213R</i></sup> mutation, whose human mutant homolog <i>CLCN7</i> <sup><i>G215R</i></sup> affects patients, the clinical impacts of ADO2 extend beyond the skeleton, affecting several other organs. The hallmark of the extra-skeletal alterations is a consistent perivascular fibrosis, associated with high numbers of macrophages and lymphoid infiltrates. Fragmented clinical information in a small cohort of patients confirms extra-skeletal alterations consistent with a systemic disease, in line with the observation that the <i>CLCN7</i> gene is expressed in many organs. ADO2 mice also show anxiety and depression and their brains exhibit not only perivascular fibrosis but also β-amyloid accumulation and astrogliosis, suggesting the involvement of the nervous system in the pathogenesis of the ADO2 extra-skeletal alterations. Extra-skeletal organs share a similar cellular pathology, confirmed also in vitro in bone marrow mononuclear cells and osteoclasts, characterized by an impairment of the exit pathway of the <i>Clcn7</i> protein product, ClC7, through the Golgi, with consequent reduced ClC7 expression in late endosomes and lysosomes, associated with high vesicular pH and accumulation of autophagosome markers. Finally, an experimental siRNA therapy, previously proven to counteract the bone phenotype, also improves the extra-skeletal alterations. These results could have important clinical implications, supporting the notion that a systematic evaluation of ADO2 patients for extra-skeletal symptoms could help improve their diagnosis, clinical management, and therapeutic options.
Effects of PspA and Antibodies to PspA on Activation and Deposition of Complement on the Pneumococcal Surface (2003)

Streptococcus pneumoniae infection is a frequent cause of pneumonia, otitis media, meningitis, and septicemia. Pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA) is an important virulence factor on the pathogen surface, and it is known to interfere with complement activation. In this study, flow cytometry was used to study the effects of PspA and antibodies to PspA on the deposition of complement C3 on the surface of a capsular type 3 strain, WU2, and its PspA- mutant, JY1119. Using naive mouse serum as a complement source, measurable deposition of C3 was observed within 4 min on PspA- pneumococci, and the amount of surface-bound C3 accumulated rapidly as the amount of serum was increased. In contrast, very little C3 was deposited on the PspA+ strain. In nonimmune mouse serum, the classical pathway was the dominant activation pathway triggered by PspA- pneumococci. Accordingly, EGTA blocked almost all of the complement activation. Moreover, a significant amount of C3 was still deposited on the PspA- strain when serum from factor B-deficient mice was used. This deposition was not observed on the PspA+ pneumococci, indicating that PspA may inhibit complement deposition via the classical pathway. Furthermore, under the conditions we tested, PspA also inhibited C3 deposition when the classical pathway was initiated by antibodies to capsular polysaccharide. Antibodies to PspA could overcome the anticomplementary effect of PspA, allowing for increased complement activation and C3 deposition onto PspA+ bacteria.
Complete primary structure of the sixth chain of human basement membrane collagen, alpha 6(IV). Isolation of the cDNAs for alpha 6(IV) and comparison with five other type IV collagen chains. (1994)

Basement membranes were previously believed to contain five distinct type IV collagen subunits. We have recently isolated part of the cDNA for a novel type IV collagen, alpha 6(IV), and shown that COL4A6, the gene encoding this new chain, is deleted in Alport syndrome-associated leiomyomatosis (Zhou, J., Mochizuki, T., Smeets, H., Antignac, C., Laurila, P., de Paepe, A., Tryggvason, K., and Reeders, S. T. (1993) Science 261, 1167-1169). Here, we describe the entire human alpha 6(IV) cDNA and show that the gene encodes a classical type IV collagen with homology throughout its length to all the other five chains. There is a 21-residue signal peptide, a 1417-residue collagenous domain interrupted at 25 points, and a 228-residue carboxyl-terminal non-collagenous domain. When the complete primary structure of this new chain was compared with all the other known chains, it became clear that alpha 6(IV) has the most resemblance to alpha 2(IV) and alpha 4(IV). The evolution of the six chains was deduced, allowing a new classification of the type IV collagen family. The alpha 6(IV) chain is a candidate gene for X-linked Alport syndrome; knowledge of the complete structure of the chain will permit us to screen systematically for mutations in patients and to generate recombinant proteins and synthetic peptides for further study of cell-matrix interactions involving the alpha 6(IV) chain.
Liquid Crystalline Cholesteryl Azo Dyes (1978)

Abstract Compounds of the formula 3(β)-cholestery where X=O or NH, Ar=1,4-phenylene or 3-hydroxy-1,4-phenylene, and Ar'=phenyl, 4′-cyanophenyl, 4′-nitrophenyl, or 4′-N,N-diethylaminophenyl were prepared which have broad liquid crystalline ranges as determined by differential scanning calorimetry. Changes were found in the characteristics of the parent azobenzene compounds following carbonate or carbamate formation. The pitch and order parameters of the title compounds were determined in several nematic hosts. In addition, a method for assessing the alignment of the cholesteryl moiety in liquid crystalline hosts is presented.
Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing with index modulation (2012)

In this paper, a novel orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) scheme, which is called OFDM with index modulation (OFDM-IM), is proposed for frequency-selective fading channels. In this scheme, inspiring from the recently introduced spatial modulation concept for multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) channels, the information is conveyed not only by M-ary signal constellations as in classical OFDM, but also by the indices of the subcarriers, which are activated according to the incoming bit stream. Different transceiver structures are proposed and a theoretical error performance analysis is provided for the new scheme. It is shown via computer simulations that the proposed scheme achieves significantly better error performance than classical OFDM due to the information bits carried in the spatial domain by the indices of OFDM subcarriers.
A novel lignin in poplar trees with a reduced caffeic acid/5‐hydroxyferulic acid <i>O</i>‐methyltransferase activity (1995)

Summary Lignin is a polymeric constituent of the cell wall that needs to be removed during the paper making process. Bi‐specific caffeic acid/5‐hydroxyferulic acid O ‐methyltransferase (COMT) catalyses the O ‐methylation of caffeic acid and 5‐hydroxyferulic acid to ferulic acid and sinapic acid, respectively. These compounds are intermediates in the biosynthesis of the lignin precursors. Therefore, COMTs are potential target enzymes for reducing the amount, or modifying the composition, of lignin in plants. Different antisense and sense constructs have been expressed of a gene encoding a COMT from poplar ( Populus trichocarpa x P. deltoides ) in a P. tremula x P. alba clone under the control of the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter. From all analysed transformants, four lines transformed with an antisense construct had a reduced COMT activity. Two showed a 50% reduction of COMT activity, which altered only slightly the monomeric composition. In the two other transformants, the COMT activity was reduced by 95%. In the latter case, the syringyl/ guaiacyl ratio (S/G) was reduced by sixfold (due to a decrease of S and an increase of G), as analysed by thioacidolysis. A new component of lignin, the 5‐hydroxyguaiacyl residue, was detected among the thioacidolysis products. Moreover, in contrast to the white/yellow colour of wild‐type wood, the xylem of the transgenic lines with a 95% reduction of COMT activity was pale rose. A similar phenotype was observed in brown‐midrib mutants of maize and sorghum, known for their altered lignification. Although the lignin composition was consistently modified, the lignin content of the transgenic poplars was similar to that of the controls.
Effect of Confinement on Colorless Distributed Combustion for Gas Turbine Engines (2009)

Colorless Distributed Combustion (CDC) has been demonstrated to provide ultra low emission of NOx and CO, improved pattern factor and reduced combustion noise in high intensity gas turbine combustors. The key feature to achieve CDC characteristics is to avoid the flame stabilization as a concentrated flame front utilizing distributed reactions thus avoiding hot spots in the flame. The high temperature air combustion technology has been successfully demonstrated in industrial furnaces which inherently possess low thermal energy intensity so that the heat release rate from the flame is low. However, gas turbine combustors operate at high heat release intensities to minimize the weight (and volume) of the system. The reduction in volume (for same heat load) results in many challenges for combustor design, which include lower residence time, high flow velocity and difficulty to contain the flame within a given volume. The focus here is on colorless distributed combustion for stationary gas turbine applications. The effect of confinement size (volume of combustor) is investigated here at a constant heat load of 25kW with methane as the fuel. Three confinement sizes with same length and different diameter quartz tubes, resulting in heat release intensity of 20MW/m 3 -atm, 30MW/m 3 -atm and 40MW/m3-atm have been investigated. Three modes were investigated which include a diffusion flame mode and two modes which show flame reactions to approach CDC regime using both a non-premixed and a premixed combustion modes. The air and fuel injection temperature was at normal 300K. The combustor was operated at 1atm pressure. The results were evaluated for flow field and recirculation ratio from numerical simulations and experimental results on global flame images, reaction zone and emissions of NO, CO. The combustion was limited to the examined confinement for both non-premixed and premixed CDC modes and this was contrary to the behavior of traditional diffusion flame mode. NO emission as low as 5ppm was obtained with the non-premixed flame mode. Increase in heat release intensity had minimal effect on NO emissions; however CO emission increased significantly with increase in heat release intensity.