gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Extended target detection in complex background based on fractal theory (2009)

The man-made target detection in natural background based on fractal theory has many advantages compared to traditional detection methods. While using single fractal feature to detect target, particularly extended target, is not robust in practice. Combing fractal feature with fractal scale invariance, a novel algorithm for extended target detection in complex background was proposed in this paper. First, through analyzing the self-similarity of fractal surface, the fractal feature named area measurement was developed to preliminary extract the target and the edges of image. According to the preliminary extraction result and the characteristic of extended target, potential target regions were detected. Then, the function of fractal area measurement changing with scale was proposed. Giving adaptive threshold, the backgrounds in potential target regions were eliminated by fractal scale invariance. Finally, the background conglutination was removed through mathematical morphology method if required. Experimental results demonstrate that the algorithm can detect extended target in complex background correctly and reliably, and the shape details of the target is reserved perfectly.
Implementation of a workflow-based Web application with an electronic signature mechanism (2002)

This paper describes the design and implementation of a workflow-based Web system based on an enhanced electronic signature mechanism with TCP/IP e-mail. The system, which is called SICN (standards information cooperation network), is an extranet-based network application dedicated to effective on-line standards making environments. This provides a view to fostering faster standards development with functionalities such as electronic voting, comment gathering and dynamic links for ready retrieval of standards information stored in a database. This paper also suggests the concept of a VSDO (virtual standards development organization) that supports all the features needed by the relevant standards making bodies to carry out their activities in dynamic on-line environments.
Active metal-matrix composites with embedded smart materials by ultrasonic additive manufacturing (2010)

This paper presents the development of active aluminum-matrix composites manufactured by Ultrasonic Additive Manufacturing (UAM), an emerging rapid prototyping process based on ultrasonic metal welding. Composites created through this process experience temperatures as low as 25 °C during fabrication, in contrast to current metal-matrix fabrication processes which require temperatures of 500 °C and above. UAM thus provides unprecedented opportunities to develop adaptive structures with seamlessly embedded smart materials and electronic components without degrading the properties that make these materials and components attractive. This research focuses on developing UAM composites with aluminum matrices and embedded shape memory NiTi, magnetostrictive Galfenol, and electroactive PVDF phases. The research on these composites will focus on: (i) electrical insulation between NiTi and Al phases for strain sensors, investigation and modeling of NiTi-Al composites as tunable stiffness materials and thermally invariant structures based on the shape memory effect; (ii) process development and composite testing for Galfenol-Al composites; and (iii) development of PVDF-Al composites for embedded sensing applications. We demonstrate a method to electrically insulate embedded materials from the UAM matrix, the ability create composites containing up to 22.3% NiTi, and their resulting dimensional stability and thermal actuation characteristics. Also demonstrated is Galfenol-Al composite magnetic actuation of up to 54 μ(see manuscript), and creation of a PVDF-Al composite sensor.
Ultrasonically-induced optical effect in a nematic liquid crystal (1977)

A series of lines parallel to the liquid-crystal boundary have been observed using crossed polarizers on a homeotropically aligned nematic liquid-crystal cell excited by ultrasonic bulk waves of about 1 MHz. We propose that the physical mechanism responsible for the rotation of the molecules of the liquid crystal from their perpendicular position is the acoustic streaming which occurs in any viscous liquid. Theoretical analysis of the model shows that the lines should be separated by one quarter of the acoustic wavelength and the intensity of the light reflected from the cell through crossed polarizers should be proportional to ${sin}^{2}(B{V}^{4})$. where $V$ is the excitation voltage applied to the transducer and $B$ is a constant. Both predictions are supported by our experimental results.
Growth of Semipolar (11\bar22) GaN Layer by Controlling Anisotropic Growth Rates in<i>r</i>-Plane Patterned Sapphire Substrate (2009)

Semipolar (112) GaN was achieved by controlling anisotropic growth rates in a maskless r-plane patterned sapphire substrate. Upon optimizing the growth conditions, the growth rate of the GaN layer on etched c-plane-like sapphire was much higher than that on other planes such as the original r-plane sapphire. Singularly (112)-oriented GaN was confirmed when GaN was grown on only the c-plane-like sapphire sidewall. The control of the anisotropic growth rate is useful for growing nonpolar and semipolar layers using maskless patterned substrates.
Managing power for closed-source Android OS games by lightweight graphics instrumentation (2012)

Power consumption and battery life are important design concerns for mobile platforms. On these devices games can be considered as one of the most demanding applications in terms of computational cost and consumed energy. In this demo we showcase Android-based power management for games. We reduce the power consumption of games by scaling the processor's voltage and frequency. Towards this, the game's future workload has to be predicted. To accurately predict the workload, previous work heavily instrumented the game's source code itself. The source code is typically not available for up-to-date Android games. The work presented in this paper does not require any modification of the game's source code and therefore can as well be applied to closed source games. Towards this, we utilize the game's communication interfaces with the operating system to accurately predict a game's workload. The approach presented in the following has been implemented and tested on the PandaBoard ES [12] and Galaxy Nexus mobile phone with a number of popular closed-source games. Measurements show significant power savings while the gaming experience is maintained.
Semiautomatic color checker detection in distorted images (2008)

In order to map the color space of a raw digital image into a certain rendering space such as sRGB or Adobe RGB, which are commonly used in consumer digital cameras, a calibrated color checker (CC) target is required. Common targets are the GretagMacbeth ColorChecker and the Digital ColorChecker SG. In order to reproduce the scene colors at a certain illumination condition, the target is to be detected in the image and its average color tristimulus values are to be extracted out of the checker fields. With the proper field colors in a certain reference space, finally, a color mapping can be determined. We propose a novel semi-automatic method for the target detection and color extraction process. We consider projective and polynomial geometry and hence, the target can be in any alignment in the scene. In our experiments we show the robustness of our method, even on radially distorted images. Finally, we apply color correction using polynomial least-squares fit in sRGB domain.
Nonassociative learning processes determine expression and extinction of conditioned fear in mice (2004)

Freezing to a tone following auditory fear conditioning is commonly considered as a measure of the strength of the tone-shock association. The decrease in freezing on repeated nonreinforced tone presentation following conditioning, in turn, is attributed to the formation of an inhibitory association between tone and shock that leads to a suppression of the expression of fear. This study challenges these concepts for auditory fear conditioning in mice. We show that acquisition of conditioned fear by a few tone-shock pairings is accompanied by a nonassociative sensitization process. As a consequence, the freezing response of conditioned mice seems to be determined by both associative and nonassociative memory components. Our data suggest that the intensity of freezing as a function of footshock intensity is primarily determined by the nonassociative component, whereas the associative component is more or less categorical. We next demonstrate that the decrease in freezing on repeated nonreinforced tone presentation following conditioning shows fundamental properties of habituation. Thus, it might be regarded as a habituation-like process, which abolishes the influence of sensitization on the freezing response to the tone without affecting the expression of the associative memory component. Taken together, this study merges the dual-process theory of habituation with the concept of classical fear conditioning and demonstrates that sensitization and habituation as two nonassociative learning processes may critically determine the expression of conditioned fear in mice.
Synthesis and In Vitro Evaluation of Chitosan-Thioglycolic Acid Conjugates (2001)

The cationic thiomer chitosan-thioglycolic acid (TGA) shows excellent mucoadhesive features. In order to deepen the knowledge concerning this new excipient the optimization of its synthesis and a detailed characterization of its properties was the objective of this study Mediated by increasing quantities of a carbodiimide, thioglycolic acid was covalently attached to chitosan forming amide bonds with the primary amino groups of the polymer Determined with Ellman's reagent, 38 ± 3, 104 ± 2, 685 ± 43, and 885 ± 7 pmol thiol groups (n=3; ± SD) were bound per gram polymer at carbodiimide concentrations of 50, 75, 100, and 125 mM, respectively. The immobilized thiol groups displayed a comparatively higher reactivity to form disulfide bonds than the thiol groups in a corresponding mixture of chitosan and free unconjugated TGA. In an aqueous 0.5% (rnlv) chitosan-TGA gel 59 ± 5% of the thiol groups formed disulfide bonds within 6 hours at pH 6.0, whereas merely 5 ± 3% were oxidized in the corresponding physical mixture of chitosan and TGA. Diffusion studies showed that the modified polymer was capable of binding cysteine and cysteine methyl ester. The result supports the theory that the improved mucoadhesive properties of thiolated chitosan are based on the formation of disulfide bonds with cysteine moieties of mucus glycoproteins. Because of its availability via an efficient synthetic pathway and its mucoadhesive properties based on the capability to bind cysteine subunits, chitosan-TGA seems to be a promising new excipient for various drug delivery systems.
Iron accumulation in multiple sclerosis: an early pathogenic event (2013)

Iron has been shown to accumulate in deep gray matter structures in many forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), but detecting its presence early in the disease course (e.g., clinically isolated syndrome [CIS]) has been less clear. Here, we review a recent study where MRI scanning at 7 T together with susceptibility mapping was performed to assess iron deposition in CIS and control subjects. Susceptibility indicative of iron deposition was found to be increased in the globus pallidus, caudate, putamen and pulvinar of CIS patients compared with controls. The findings suggest that iron deposition is a pathological change that occurs early in the development of MS. Identifying the mechanisms of iron accumulation and determining whether iron promotes pathogenesis in MS are important areas of future research.
Object-oriented symbol management in syntax-directed compiler systems (1999)

Each symbol in a source program has a series of attributes that govern the operations performed on it. In this paper, we explore object-oriented techniques for representing the attributes of symbols and translating the operations performed on them. This approach is shown superior in memory and run-time speed to the procedural style traditionally used for writing compilers. We demonstrate object-oriented symbol management in a compiler for an arithmetic subset of C. We have used C++ --- a single-dispatching language --- to implement the same, but we emphasize the need for multiple dispatching to develop programs in a heavily-object-oriented style.
Modulation of fibroblast functions by interleukin 1: increased steady-state accumulation of type I procollagen messenger RNAs and stimulation of other functions but not chemotaxis by human recombinant interleukin 1 alpha and beta (1988)

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) is synthesized by and released from macrophages in response to a variety of stimuli and appears to play an essential role in virtually all inflammatory conditions. In tissues of mesenchymal origin (e.g., cartilage, muscle, bone, and soft connective tissue) IL-1 induces changes characteristic of both destructive as well as reparative phenomena. Previous studies with natural IL-1 of varying degrees of purity have suggested that it is capable of modulating a number of biological activities of fibroblasts. We have compared the effects of purified human recombinant (hr) IL-1 alpha and beta on several fibroblast functions. The parameters studied include cell proliferation, chemotaxis, and production of collagen, collagenase, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP), and prostaglandin (PG) E2. We observed that hrIL-1s stimulate the synthesis and accumulation of type I procollagen chains. Intracellular degradation of collagen is not altered by the hrIL-1s. Both IL-1s were observed to increase the steady-state levels of pro alpha 1(I) and pro alpha 2(I) mRNAs, indicating that they exert control of type I procollagen gene expression at the pretranslational level. We found that both hrIL-1 alpha and beta stimulate synthesis of TIMP, collagenase, PGE2, and growth of fibroblasts in vitro but are not chemotactic for fibroblasts. Although hrIl-1 alpha and beta both are able to stimulate production of PGE2 by fibroblasts, inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis by indomethacin has no measurable effect on the ability of the IL-1s to stimulate cell growth or production of collagen and collagenase. Each of the IL-1s stimulated proliferation and collagen production by fibroblasts to a similar degree, however hrIL-1 beta was found to be less potent than hrIL-1 alpha in stimulating PGE2 production. These observations support the notion that IL-1 alpha and beta may both modulate the degradation of collagen at sites of tissue injury by virtue of their ability to stimulate collagenase and PGE2 production by fibroblasts. Furthermore, IL-1 alpha and beta might also direct reparative functions of fibroblasts by stimulating their proliferation and synthesis of collagen and TIMP.
Effect of nickel on biological methane generation from a laboratory poultry waste digester (1986)

Nickel added in concentrations as low as 10muM significantly increased biogas production in a laboratory poultry waste digester utilizing excreta from laying hens as the organic energy source. It was shown that the initial rate of biogas production increased as early as 4 h after the addition of nickel to the laboratory cultures. Analysis of the excreta for nickel content prior to addition of exogenous NiCl(2) showed appreciable amounts of nickel present. The data indicate that nickel naturally present in layer excreta is suboptimal or unavailable to the bacteria for biogas production purposes.
High dose calcitriol may reduce thrombosis in cancer patients (2006)

The incidence of venous and arterial thrombosis in a placebo-controlled randomised trial of DN-101 (high dose calcitriol) with docetaxel versus docetaxel was compared. Of the 13 thrombotic events observed in the 250 patients enroled in this study, two occurred in DN-101 and 11 in placebo-treated patients (P = 0.01). This difference remained significant after adjustment for baseline history of thrombosis, atrial fibrillation and use of anti-thrombotic agents. In vitro and vitamin D receptor (VDR) knockout mouse studies predict that nanomolar concentrations of calcitriol may act as an antithrombotic agent. We report the first clinical observation that supports this hypothesis in humans.
Differential Mechanisms of Transmission at Three Types of Mossy Fiber Synapse (2000)

The axons of the dentate gyrus granule cells, the so-called mossy fibers, innervate their inhibitory interneuron and pyramidal neuron targets via both anatomically and functionally specialized synapses. Mossy fiber synapses onto inhibitory interneurons were comprised of either calcium-permeable (CP) or calcium-impermeable (CI) AMPA receptors, whereas only calcium-impermeable AMPA receptors existed at CA3 principal neuron synapses. In response to brief trains of high-frequency stimuli (20 Hz), pyramidal neuron synapses invariably demonstrated short-term facilitation, whereas interneuron EPSCs demonstrated either short-term facilitation or depression. Facilitation at all CI AMPA synapses was voltage independent, whereas EPSCs at CP AMPA synapses showed greater facilitation at -20 than at -80 mV, consistent with a role for the postsynaptic unblock of polyamines. At pyramidal cell synapses, mossy fiber EPSCs possessed marked frequency-dependent facilitation (commencing at stimulation frequencies >0.1 Hz), whereas EPSCs at either type of interneuron synapse showed only moderate frequency-dependent facilitation or underwent depression. Presynaptic metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) decreased transmission at all three synapse types in a frequency-dependent manner. However, after block of presynaptic mGluRs, transmission at interneuron synapses still did not match the dynamic range of EPSCs at pyramidal neuron synapses. High-frequency stimulation of mossy fibers induced long-term potentiation (LTP), long-term depression (LTD), or no change at pyramidal neuron synapses, interneuron CP AMPA synapses, and CI AMPA synapses, respectively. Induction of LTP or LTD altered the short-term plasticity of transmission onto both pyramidal cells and interneuron CP AMPA synapses by a mechanism consistent with changes in release probability. These data reveal differential mechanisms of transmission at three classes of mossy fiber synapse made onto distinct targets.
Recent Advances in Graphene Quantum Dots for Fluorescence Bioimaging from Cells through Tissues to Animals (2014)

Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) have attracted tremendous attention in recent years. In this review, the recent developments are summarized in the synthesis, edge functionalization, and cyctotoxicity of GQDs, followed by presenting a focused overview on their current applications for in vitro fluorescence imaging in cells and tissues as well as in vivo macroscopic and microscopic imaging in animals. Challenges and opportunities in the development of GQDs for bioimaging are also discussed.
Collection and quality control of marine geological data by the Ocean Drilling Program (2003)

A computerized database is being used within the Ocean Drilling Program to archive geological data generated from shipboard and shore-based analyses of core samples from beneath the sea floor. These data include geophysical, geochemical, paleontologic, paleomagnetic, petrologic and physical properties determination. Standardized data collection procedures are being implemented. Computerized data-entry forms with standard error checks have been designed for shipboard data collection. Error checks include restrictions on values, checks on missing values, and sample identification. Computerization onboard the drillship JOIDES Resolution, the organization of the database, and the benefits of the system to the scientific community as they apply to shipboard and shore-based studies are discussed.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">></ETX>
Fast Vanishing-Point Detection in Unstructured Environments (2011)

Vision-based road detection in unstructured environments is a challenging problem as there are hardly any discernible and invariant features that can characterize the road or its boundaries in such environments. However, a salient and consistent feature of most roads or tracks regardless of type of the environments is that their edges, boundaries, and even ruts and tire tracks left by previous vehicles on the path appear to converge into a single point known as the vanishing point. Hence, estimating this vanishing point plays a pivotal role in the determination of the direction of the road. In this paper, we propose a novel methodology based on image texture analysis for the fast estimation of the vanishing point in challenging and unstructured roads. The key attributes of the methodology consist of the optimal local dominant orientation method that uses joint activities of only four Gabor filters to precisely estimate the local dominant orientation at each pixel location in the image plane, the weighting of each pixel based on its dominant orientation, and an adaptive distance-based voting scheme for the estimation of the vanishing point. A series of quantitative and qualitative analyses are presented using natural data sets from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency Grand Challenge projects to demonstrate the effectiveness and the accuracy of the proposed methodology.
<i>In vivo</i> wound healing and antibacterial performances of electrospun nanofibre membranes (2010)

In this work, nanofibre membranes have been produced from polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polycaprolactone (PCL), polyacrylonitrile (PAN), poly (vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropene) (PVdF-HFP), and polymer blend of PAN and polyurethane (PEU) using an electrospinning technique, and wound healing performance of the as-spun nanofibre membranes was examined in vivo using female Sprague-Dawley rats. To understand the nutrition effect, a wool protein was coated on PVA and PCL nanofibres and incorporated into PVA nanofibres via coelectrospinning of a PVA solution containing the wool protein. Silver nanoparticles were also applied to PVA nanofibres to improve antibacterial activity. It was found that the wound healing performance is mainly influenced by the porosity, air permeability, and surface wettability of the nanofibre membranes. A nanofibre membrane with good hydrophilicity and high porosity considerably facilitates the healing of wound especially at the early healing stage. However, the fiber diameter and antibacterial activity have little effect on the wound healing efficiency. As pores in nanofibre membranes are typically smaller than that of conventional cotton gauze, the nanofibre membrane should be able to decontaminate and prevent exogenous infections via sieve effect. This work provides basic understanding of material structure-property relationship for further design of efficient nanofibre-based wound dressing materials.
Optogenetic activation of cholinergic neurons in the PPT or LDT induces REM sleep (2014)

Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep is an important component of the natural sleep/wake cycle, yet the mechanisms that regulate REM sleep remain incompletely understood. Cholinergic neurons in the mesopontine tegmentum have been implicated in REM sleep regulation, but lesions of this area have had varying effects on REM sleep. Therefore, this study aimed to clarify the role of cholinergic neurons in the pedunculopontine tegmentum (PPT) and laterodorsal tegmentum (LDT) in REM sleep generation. Selective optogenetic activation of cholinergic neurons in the PPT or LDT during non-REM (NREM) sleep increased the number of REM sleep episodes and did not change REM sleep episode duration. Activation of cholinergic neurons in the PPT or LDT during NREM sleep was sufficient to induce REM sleep.