gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Eff ect of the Extensive Use of Granites as Countertops in Luxury Buildings on the Indoor Radon Concentration and the Potential Risk to Occupants (2015)

Radon concentration has been measured inside the new buildings of King Abdulaziz University to study the effect of the extensive use of granites as countertops on the indoor radon concentration. A set of indoor and outdoor measurements has been conducted using radon measurement instruments. For comparison, indoor radon concentration was also measured in the older buildings, where granite countertops were in use at only a few sites near the main entrances. The obtained results indicate that the average indoor radon concentrations were 8.8 ± 4.8 and 11.2 ± 4.9 Bq/m3 in the old and new buildings, respectively. The average outdoor concentration was about 4.4 Bq/m3. These values are lower than the global average values. The average annual eff ective dose due to indoor radon was calculated for the general public and for the occupants of the new buildings. Risk estimates have been done based on the average radon concentration values. The average annual effective dose for the public due to radon inhalation was estimated to be 0.264 mSv, and for the occupants of the new buildings to be 0.280 mSv. The associated risk of lung cancer mortality to inhabitants due to lifetime radon inhalation is estimated to be 102.9x10-5 for the public and 109.5x10-5 for the occupants of the new buildings.
Ask an Expert: Mobile Workspaces for Collaborative Troubleshooting (2015)

A key driver of enterprise adoption of consumer mobile devices is their potential to support collaboration. However, today there is little understanding of how well mobile devices support collaborative work activities in the enterprise. We present Ask an Expert, a tablet-based collaboration application for mobile industrial workers. Ask an Expert combines communication channels and content sharing tools in persistent 'spaces' to support collaborative troubleshooting between remote workers. We describe the user-centered design of Ask an Expert and provide design recommendations for mobile collaboration applications. We also discuss findings from preliminary user evaluations.
Validation, verification, and testing techniques throughout the life cycle of a simulation study (1994)

Life cycle validation, verification, and testing (VV&T) is extremely important for the success of a simulation study. This paper surveys current software VV&T techniques and current simulation model VV&T techniques and describes how they can all be applied throughout the life cycle of a simulation study. The processes and credibility assessment stages of the life cycle are described and the applicability of the VV&T techniques for each stage is stated.
Testing of High Corrosion Resistant Metallic Coatings for Tensioner Risers and Piston Rods Exposed to Marine Environments (2009)

Abstract Hydraulic riser tensioners (for offshore drilling platforms) and piston rods (for hydraulic systems) have been extensively used in marine environments. They are exposed to a wide variety of severe operating conditions that range from marine atmospheres to splash zone in brackish and saltwater. The present work describes a novel testing methodology, based on the Zero Resistance Ammeter that allows the determination of the Critical Pitting Temperature (CPT) as well as the Critical Crevice Temperature (CCT) in small angular sectioned samples taken from cylinders (tensioner risers and piston rods). The determination of the CPT and CCT allows the pre-screening of various materials and alloys for their use as piston rods. Several materials and alloys have been successfully pre-screened using this testing methodology combined with metallurgical analysis. Of particular interest, a part of the sample may undergo crevice corrosion while the sample is being tested, whereas the rest of the sample will remain intact. As the temperature is further increased, pitting corrosion can take place in those passive areas that have not undergoing crevice corrosion.
Induction of secretory pathway components in yeast is associated with increased stability of their mRNA (2002)

The overexpression of certain membrane proteins is accompanied by a striking proliferation of intracellular membranes. One of the best characterized inducers of membrane proliferation is the 180-kD mammalian ribosome receptor (p180), whose expression in yeast results in increases in levels of mRNAs encoding proteins that function in the secretory pathway, and an elevation in the cell's ability to secrete proteins. In this study we demonstrate that neither the unfolded protein response nor increased transcription accounts for membrane proliferation or the observed increase in secretory pathway mRNAs. Rather, p180-induced up-regulation of certain secretory pathway transcripts is due to a p180-mediated increase in the longevity of these mRNA species, as determined by measurements of transcriptional activity and specific mRNA turnover. Moreover, we show that the longevity of mRNA in general is substantially promoted through the process of its targeting to the membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum. With respect to the terminal differentiation of secretory tissues, results from this model system provide insights into how the expression of a single protein, p180, could result in substantial morphological and functional changes.
3(2<i>H</i>)-pyridazinone derivatives: a new scaffold for novel plant activators (2019)

Due to the emergence of drug resistance, pesticide residue and environmental contamination, it is important to develop novel eco-friendly strategies to protect plants. Among them, plant activators have been gaining more and more attention. Herein, based on SHAFTS method, a new scaffold for novel plant activators was predicted and the discovery and structure-activity relationships of a series of 3(2<i>H</i>)-pyridazinone derivatives as novel plant activators were elucidated in detail. The vast majority of compounds exhibited excellent broad-spectrum induced resistance activity against tested diseases <i>in vivo</i> but no direct antimicrobial activity <i>in vitro</i>. Among them, compound 32 showed excellent efficacy against four pathogens and great potential as new plant activators in crop protection.
Service level agreement trading for the differentiated services architectures (2000)

Bandwidth brokers as proposed in the diffserv framework build on the process of setting up Service Level Agreements (SLA).This is a very static procedure, usually performed manually and based only on a simple description of the SLA.However, diffserv is suited to handle a more dynamic environment and to provide more than connectivity with its service classes.Our proposal enhances bandwidth brokers by including more significant information in SLAs such as the flow's destination network and pricing.In addition, we present a new per-hop behavior that supports flexible allocation of code points which is important to our approach.The system is targeted at large ISPs with good inter-connectivity.We implemented it on top of a flow-based simulation engine.The evaluation is based on parts of the current AS topology and characteristics of aggregated traffic.The results show an improvement of network utilization by up to 40% over a traditional, shortest-path routed inter-domain network for a wide range of network and traffic parameters.
An Overview of Power Analysis Attacks Against Field Programmable Gate Arrays (2006)

Since their introduction by Kocher in 1998, power analysis attacks have attracted significant attention within the cryptographic community. While early works in the field mainly threatened the security of smart cards and simple processors, several recent publications have shown the vulnerability of hardware implementations as well. In particular, field programmable gate arrays are attractive options for hardware implementation of encryption algorithms,but their security against power analysis is a serious concern, as we discuss in this paper. For this purpose, we present recent results of attacks attempted against standard encryption algorithms, provide a theoretical estimation of these attacks based on simple statistical parameters and evaluate the cost and security of different possible countermeasures.
Rapamycin inhibits release of tumor necrosis factor-alpha from human vascular smooth muscle cells. (2004)

Neointimal proliferation with plaque formation is the principal cause of coronary artery disease. In the neointima, inflammatory cytokines like tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) are expressed by vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). These cytokines stimulate proliferation and migration of VSMCs, events that are crucial to neointima formation. Stents, liberating rapamycin, have been shown to reduce neointima formation in human coronary arteries. The purpose of this study was to determine if rapamycin could inhibit the production of TNF-alpha by VSMCs. With institutional review board approval, VSMCs were cultured from saphenous vein segments obtained from five patients. Cells were identified as VSMC by immunostaining for smooth muscle alpha-actin. Cells were exposed to bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), LPS plus rapamycin, or LPS plus isoproterenol for 24 hours. Cells with no treatment served as controls. The culture medium was then removed and analyzed for TNF-alpha. Additionally, the effect of treatment on viability was determined by assay of mitochondrial activity. TNF-alpha released into the culture medium is expressed as pg TNF-alpha/mg cell protein. Statistical analysis was by ANOVA. In control cells, TNF-alpha was undetectable in the culture medium. The addition of LPS (10 microg/mL) increased TNF-alpha release to 4312 +/- 705 pg/mg at 24 hours. The addition of 1 ng/mL rapamycin with LPS reduced TNF-alpha production 50 per cent (P < 0.01 vs LPS alone). A similar reduction of TNF-alpha release was seen with 1 microM isoproterenol. LPS, rapamycin, or isoproterenol did not affect cell viability. These data show that rapamycin effectively inhibits the release of TNF-alpha from VSMCs stimulated with inflammatory mediators like LPS. Rapamycin is as effective as agents that raise intracellular cyclic AMP (e.g., isoproterenol). Therefore, a potential mechanism for the effectiveness of rapamycin-releasing stents is reduction of inflammatory cytokine expression by VSMCs.
Formation and blistering of GaAsN nanostructure layers (2004)

We report the formation and blistering of GaAsN nanostructure layers induced by nitrogen ion implantation into GaAs followed by high-temperature rapid thermal annealing. The GaAsN nanostructure layers consist of zincblende GaN-rich GaAsN nanostructures in an amorphous matrix, apparently formed near the depth of maximum ion damage. Cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy reveals a series of nanometer-sized cavities near the depth of maximum nitrogen concentration, suggesting the formation of nitrogen gas bubbles during annealing. The nitrogen bubbles coalesce and push away the GaAsN nanostructure layer, forming micrometer-sized blisters. The simultaneous formation and blistering of GaAsN nanostructure layers may provide an opportunity for the integration of the nanostructure layers with a variety of substrates.
A family of routing and communication chips based on the Mosaic (1993)

This paper describes the specifications, internal design, and performance characteristics of the latest series of Caltech Mesh-Routing Chips (MRCs), slack-protocol-conversion chips, and router-interface chips. These highperformance, self-timed designs were derived from the corresponding parts of the message-passing system of the Mosaic (see the paper &quot;The Design of the Caltech Mosaic C Multicomputer&quot; in this volume), but are packaged as separate chips to allow their use by other projects engaged in the development of highly concurrent computers. In addition to n data bits, an MRC channel includes a bit to mark the tail of the packet, a self-timed request signal, and an opposite-going self-timed acknowledge signal. MRC channels operate in a queue (FIFO) discipline, in which the request and acknowledge signals provide both timing and flow control. The timing and electrical characteristics of these signals are critical to reliable communication between MRCs. The timing of the internal cha...
The Performance of Polymer Solution Added with Viscosity Stabilizer and the Evaluation of Its Oil Displacement Efficiency in Daqing Oilfield (2011)

Aiming at the low viscosity of polymer solution, which is compounded with fresh water but diluted with produced water, and at the problems concerning oil displacement efficiency, an onsite test on polymer solution with viscosity stabilizer (PSVS) is carried out. As a result, it has great and guiding significance to the application and popularization of viscosity stabilizer by studying the performance of polymer solution with viscosity stabilizer and its influence on oil displacement efficiency. In this paper, aiming at two different kinds of polymer solutions among which one is compounded with fresh water but diluted with fresh produced water and the other with aerated produced water, two laboratory evaluative tests concerning viscosity stabilization, anti-shear stability, fluidity, and absorbability of polymer solution as well as its oil displacement efficiency are done. The results of onsite application of PSVS are traced and analyzed. The viscosity stabilization of the polymer solution adding with viscosity stabilizer becomes much better than that of the normal polymer solution. The resistance and the residual resistance factors, the static oil sand adsorption rate and the dynamic core adsorption rate of the solution are all increased markedly. The working viscosity and oil displacement efficiency are improved markedly as well. In comparison with the polymer solution diluted with fresh produced water, the polymer solution diluted with aerated produced water is much better in terms of viscosity stabilization. Comparing with the normal polymer solution with viscosity stabilizer before sheared, the polymer solution which is sheared before adding with viscosity stabilizer performs obviously better in terms of viscosity stability. In contrast to the adjacent block injected with normal polymer solution, the block under onsite flooding test with injection of PSVS features that the average injection pressure increases slightly but keeps steady, the recovery speed of the average monthly water cut of production wells slows down, the thickness of the absorptive layers increases, and the periodic recovery rate improves as well. Key words : Polymer solution; Viscosity stabilizer; Daqing oilfield
Glocal alignment: finding rearrangements during alignment (2003)

In this paper we introduce the notion of glocal alignment, a combination of global and local methods, where one creates a map that transforms one sequence into the other while allowing for rearrangement events. We present Shuffle-LAGAN, a glocal alignment algorithm that is based on the CHAOS local alignment algorithm and the LAGAN global aligner, and is able to align long genomic sequences. To test Shuffle-LAGAN we split the mouse genome into BAC-sized pieces, and aligned these pieces to the human genome. We demonstrate that Shuffle-LAGAN compares favorably in terms of sensitivity and specificity with standard local and global aligners. From the alignments we conclude that about 9% of human/mouse homology may be attributed to small rearrangements, 63% of which are duplications.
A three-dimensional structural dissection of Drosophila polytene chromosomes. (1995)

We have analyzed the three-dimensional structural details of Drosophila melanogaster polytene chromosome bands and interbands using three-dimensional light microscopy and a novel method of sample preparation that does not involve flattening or stretching the chromosomes. Bands have been visualized in unfixed chromosomes stained with the DNA specific dye 4,6-Diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI). Interbands have been visualized using fixed chromosomes that have been immunostained with an antibody to RNA polymerase II. Additionally, these structures have been analyzed using in situ hybridization with probes from specific genetic loci (Notch and white). Bands are seen to be composed of approximately 36 substructural features that measure 0.2-0.4 micron in diameter. We suggest that these substructural features are in fact longitudinal fibers made up of bundles of chromatids. Band shape can be a reproducible characteristic of a particular band and is dependent on the spatial relationship of these bundles, varying from bands with a uniform distribution of bundles to bands with a peripheral concentration of chromatin. Interbands are composed of bundles of chromatids of a similar size and number as those seen in the bands. The distribution of bundles is similar between a band and the neighboring interband, implying that there is a long range organization to the DNA that includes both the coding and the noncoding portions of genes. Finally, we note that the polytene chromosome has a circular shape when viewed in cross section, whether there are one or two homologs present.
Detection of zero-day malware based on the analysis of opcode sequences (2014)

Today, rapid growth in the amount of malicious software is causing a serious global security threat. Unfortunately, widespread signature-based malware detection mechanisms are not able to deal with constantly appearing new types of malware and variants of existing ones, until an instance of this malware has damaged several computers or networks. In this research, we apply an anomaly detection approach which can cope with the problem of new malware detection. First, executable files are analyzed in order to extract operation code sequences and then n-gram models are employed to discover essential features from these sequences. A clustering algorithm based on the iterative usage of support vector machines and support vector data descriptions is applied to analyze feature vectors obtained and to build a benign software behavior model. Finally, this model is used to detect malicious executables within new files. The scheme proposed allows one to detect malware unseen previously. The simulation results presented show that the method results in a higher accuracy rate than that of the existing analogues.
The bonding of a polymeric fissure sealant to topical fluoride‐treated teeth (1975)

The tensile bond strength of a polymeric fissure sealant to enamel treated with a variety of topical fluorides was determined. Application of acidulated phosphate fluoride solutions (APF) prior to and after acid etching reduces the tensile bond strength of Nuva Seal from 36-6+/-9-0 kg/cm2 to 4-9+/-3-3 kg/cm2 and 23-8+/-6-3 kg/cm2 respectively. The treatment of the etched enamel with freshly prepared 8% stannous fluoride solution prior to Nuva Seal application significantly increases the tensile bond strength to 55-7+/-17-1 kg/cm2. It is recommended that clinical procedures such as the application of fissure sealants, acid etch composite restorations and the direct attachment of orthodontic brackets, all of which involve etching of the enamel, should not be precedded by the topical application of APF solutions.
A review of vaccines for HIV prevention (2002)

HIV/AIDS has become the most devastating pandemic in recorded history. It has killed 40 million people in the last 20 years and the World Health Organisation estimated that at least 14,000 new infections occurred daily in 2001. There will be up to 100 million new infections in the next 10 years (for current updates, visit http://www.unaids.org/epidemic_update/). Most HIV infections occur in the developing world, and the adverse social and economic impact of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, particularly in the developing world, is unprecedented. Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has had significant effects on HIV/AIDS in the developed world. The drugs have acted to prolong survival, reduce the viral load, and to alleviate suffering. However, the incidence of side effects and resistance is high and the drugs are unaffordable and unavailable in the developing world. HAART regimens are difficult to comply with. Public health efforts to modify the behaviour, attitude and culture that accelerate the spread of HIV/AIDS have had only modest success. There is urgent need for a prophylactic and/or therapeutic HIV vaccine. This is a review of the obstacles and current trends in HIV vaccine development.
Antioxidative Activities of Several Marine Polysaccharides Evaluated in a Phosphatidylcholine-liposomal Suspension and Organic Solvents (1998)

The antioxidative activities of several water-soluble marine polysaccharides, alginate (ALG), alginate sulfate (SALG), propylene glucolalginate sodium sulfate (PSS), propylene glucol mannuronate sulfate (PGMS), the oligosaccharide of chitosan (OLC), N,O-carboxymethyl chitosan (NOCC) and hydroxypropylated chitosan (HPC), were examined in a phosphatidylcholine (PC)-liposomal suspension containing the water-soluble radical emitter, 2,2'-azobis (2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride. In the suspensions containing OLC and SALG, the initial rates of PC-OOH accumulation were 2.78 x 10(-8) MS-1 and 2.88 x 10(-8) MS-1, respectively, while all the polysaccharides tested showed antioxidative activity. Liposoluble marine polysaccharides, hexanoyl chitin (HCH) and an N-benzoylhexanoyl chitosan (NBHC) solution, also retarded the hydroperoxide accumulation of methyl linoleate by effectively trapping peroxide radicals in organic solvents when the radical chain reaction had been initiated by 2,2'-azobis (2,4-dimethylvaleronitrile). The kinetic data presented indicate that the alginate and chitin derivatives can be expected to play a role in the antioxidative mechanism of biological systems.
Transferred Cross-Correlated Relaxation Complements Transferred NOE:  Structure of an IL-4R-Derived Peptide Bound to STAT-6 (1999)

A new NMR method is proposed which enables the measurement of projection angles in the bound conformation of a weakly binding ligand complexed to its receptor. The method is based on the cross-correlated relaxation mechanism. In analogy to the transferred NOE experiment (trNOE), cross-correlated relaxation can be transferred and measured at the resonances of the free ligand (trCCR), provided the koff rate is within the time scale of the experiment. The concept is validated by the structure determination of an interleukin-4 (IL-4) receptor-derived partially 13C- and 15N-labeled phosphotyrosine peptide ligated to STAT-6. Distances have been obtained by trNOE experiments, and the torsion angle Pro(ψ) has been determined using trCCR, measuring either cross-correlated HN−N/Hα−Cα dipole−dipole relaxation or cross-correlated Hα−Cα dipole/CO chemical shift anisotropy relaxation. The resulting structure has been described.
An improvement of mass spectral resolution of a time-of-flight mass spectrometer by means of a gradient electric field type ion reflector. (1988)

A new gradient electric field type ion reflector for a time-of-flight mass spectrometer has been developed in order to improve mass spectral resolution by time focusing. A retarding field in the reflector has two terms; One term proportional to penetrating depth of ions into the reflector and a constant term. In the TOF mass spectrometer consisting of a free ion drift region and the ion reflector, the motion of the same m/z ions is quasi-single oscillation of the same period. Therefore the flight times of the same m/z ions are focused to a constant, even if the initial kinetic energy of the emitted ions are distributed. In this paper, the theory of time focusing effect, the results of the computer simulation and the experimental results with laser desorption are reported.